[2022-05-09] Simple pleasures
On Saturday, Mel and I went to our community's first farmer's market of the season. As an added attraction, a petting zoo was on offer. It was a beautiful day, with happy kids and adults interacting with the many goats and one llama.
I was struck by a feeling that we had returned, in one small way, to the life we had enjoyed before the pandemic. Since the lockdown in March 2020 until quite recently, we haven't petted other people's dogs on our walks or gone to the Experimental Farm in Ottawa to interact with the animals. But that has shifted in the last few weeks, as we collectively begin to exhale. Out in the sun and fresh air on Saturday, with sufficient space between all the animal lovers, we could once again experience the simple pleasures of a petting zoo.
When we live a life of gratitude, we are more likely to notice the little things that bring joy: the bleat of a baby goat, the attention of a llama to someone with treats, a father racing his son to the mailbox (and letting his kid win), the tender green leaves bursting forth from deciduous trees in spring, appointments that run on time, courteous drivers and smooth-running traffic, juicy fruit, a meal that comes together effortlessly, a message from an old friend, the hug of a loved one, a visit to the country, getting the answer to Final Jeopardy.
How much richer life is when we notice and appreciate simple pleasures.
