Japanese Maple outside my window
Today was a day off work and I had plans. As soon as I woke up the plans went awry and yet as the day played itself out, I was enjoying myself. This made me reflect on what makes a day feel great even when it is not as planned. Here’s what I found makes a day feel great to me – how about you?
- sunshine
- mind engaged
- time alone
- government worker unexpectantly being nice and treating me like a human
- time to do what I want
- eating when I want, what I want
- time to shop for something I want (not need)
- being needed (even for something I didn’t want to do)
- change of pace
- a surprise sighting of Jessica Simpson
I am a person of routine and most of the time I like it. Today was a day I could do whatever I wanted and I had it planned from 8am on. When I woke up and got ready for the day, I was notified of a crisis at work. This had the blessed effect of engaging my mind. Although the issue was not welcomed, the impact on me was so I didn’t wile away my time with a sleepy head and wondering where the hours had gone before I got going.
I had three errands to run – none of them went as planned – and yet each of the encounters resulted in an unplanned interesting interaction with someone I normally would not have met. I was out and about in an area of the city I don’t typically frequent because I wasn’t scheduled around getting to or from work, picking up kids from work, school, martial arts, or hockey, and the sun was out so I didn’t mind a bit of a drive during daytime hours when there was no traffic.
Oh, and one more thing I forgot – the traffic signs on the highway said “Express and Collector lanes moving well”. The message I though was merely myth.
(Highway 401 is the busiest roadway in North America, surpassing the Santa Monica Freeway in Los Angeles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401 )
The sighting of Jessica was on t.v. this morning, but if I hadn’t been off work, I would have missed seeing her!
Calm view from my trip to Tennessee
May you have a calm, meandering, pleasant, rewarding day like I had one day soon. As I move into the hectic, frenetic, lively week-end of Thanksgiving with lots of family and two newborns, I will enjoy those days as they have a completely different impact on my body and soul.
LOL, I couldn’t wait to hear about the Jessica Simpson spotting. Fooled me there. 🙂
Great post.
Thanks Catherine. If I saw Jessica in person, I’d have to give her at least a whole day’s post to herself!
I agree with your list except the Jessica thing – For me it’s Mark Messier. When he was on the Lays commercials, I would watch too much tv in hopes of spying him. #4 was funny because THAT never happens in Alberta 🙂
Hi tourist! That’s funny about Mark Messier and you watching t.v. to catch him! As for #4, maybe you could hang out in a government office one day (as a tourist) and try to ‘catch’ someone being nice….then you could tell us about it. They are sure great places to do people watching.
What a beautiful day! Don’t you just love those?? 🙂
Hi rosebandit. Yes, I do love those days – to be treasured!
Glad you had a good day Gord, Lord knows you probably deserved it. Have a safe and happy Holiday weekend. – Mock
Thanks Mock. You too. I hope you get to relax and enjoy some thanksgiving treats and family.
I’m with you on 1, 2, 3, and 5. But a mild night with transparent clouds blowing across a bright moon is right up there. I was feeling like I had been cooped up all day and not getting stuff down the other night. I also hadn’t done my workout that day and the day was almost over. Finally put on my workout clothes and went for a walk. It was just what I needed to get back on track mentally.
Oh Margaret. That sounds heavenly too. When I don’t get outside for the whole day, it makes me feel like I need fresh air. Good to hear you realized what you needed.
Howdy, W.T. Mom, glad your day turned out nicely. In the wrong hands it might have been less happy! Love your attitude, flexibility is key. Have a great Turkey Day.
I jumped rope again today.
Flexibility is NOT my middle name. I try and mostly I succeed, but it is tough!
Where you jumping rope with a pie in your hands? Is this a new fitness kick? I don’t think I own a jump rope.