What's Good In Your Life Right Now?

Here's my list of small things that make my life better

Photo by Tetbirt Salim on Unsplash

Small things can make a big difference! Here are some I especially appreciate right now:

1. The community of writers on Substack is a great source of support and encouragement. We read each other's work and share content we think our subscribers will find valuable. I’m thankful

   Martin Prior
   recommended “Changing Lives” with these words:
   
   Brilliant posts that will help you look after your mental health. Wendi covers a range of topics from the impact of spiritual beliefs on mental health to the benefits of visualisation. Her recent post What The Barbie Movie Gets Right About Mental Health dives into some of the unrealistic demands society places on women.
   
   You can watch a video he also recommends and get suggestions to help you increase your resilience in his newsletter:

   Stop Trying To Be Resilient

2. A local theater hosts free plays, concerts, and other events. Many are also livestreamed, so my husband and I watch them from home. We’ve enjoyed Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, Mozart’s music, and a jazz concert. You can watch upcoming shows, too; visit Miller Outdoor Theatre’s website for the schedule and details about how to view them online.
   

3. One young boy I tutor loves it when we take a break to play with a beach ball in the hallway outside. He grins with delight and runs ahead of me into the hall. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I have almost as much fun as he does.
   

4. My fellow members of Spring-Nuts, a Bruce Springsteen fan group on Facebook, regularly post photos and videos from this year’s concerts and share other Bruce-related stories. This week, I got a wonderful surprise: I was invited to be a guest on a podcast and talk about how Bruce and his songs have helped me! I’m not sure when it will air; we’re recording it on October 5.
   

5. A local park recently hosted a hummingbird festival. I was delighted to discover that there were also larger birds, brought by Houston Audubon. I got to admire this barred owl and other raptors up close.

   

   Photo credit: Wendi Gordon

6. My husband and I try to end each day with laughter. At bedtime, one of us reads aloud from a humorous book. Our current selection is The Devious Book for Cats, a parody with chapter titles like “The Vacuum Cleaner: A Vortex of Terror” and “Toying With Allergy Sufferers.” I use the Libby app to find and borrow ebooks, so we have plenty to choose from and this little bit of fun is free.
   

7. I no longer have to waste time or be around people who may have contagious illnesses in a waiting room to get basic medical care. A five minute phone call with a doctor is all it takes to get a new prescription for a medication I’ve for been on for years sent to my local pharmacy. I can usually schedule the call, talk to the doctor, and pick up my prescription on the same day. It’s so much easier and less expensive than an office visit.

Each item on this list has improved my life. Some are fun activities I enjoy. Others are ongoing sources of support and inspiration. And the final one saves me time, money, and a lot of frustration. It’s amazing that small things can make such a big difference! I’m calmer and happier because of little things like these.

What are the good things (big or small) in your life right now?

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