The New Year is off to an ordinary start in our house.
Lounging in pajamas. Drinking tea. Staring out the window. Cleaning junk drawers. Taking long walks. Watching movies. Visiting with friends.
At first I wasn’t so sure about spending the holidays in such a low-key way. It’s not that sexy or exciting.
And nowadays, with social media providing a window to the world, I can easily get seduced into thinking that my life is just soooooo vanilla.
Have you ever scrolled through Instagram or Facebook and thought...
(cue fantasy music)
“I should be at a party on a beach in a bikini with a big floppy hat shielding my perfectly made up eyes from the sun as I stare out at the crystal blue turquoise water dreaming about the unbelievable success I’ll soon be experiencing with my new business idea that’s ready to launch next week by my staff of a thousand people working hard on my behalf because they adore me and my work and are deeply committed to our mission to save humankind from destruction.”
Not.
Instead, I’m here in my pajamas at noontime on Sunday, staring at the drizzle outside, pondering questions like: Should I take a shower, make lunch, or work out?
Oh well.
Nothing exotic or extravagant here.
Just plain old ordinary life.
But then something happens.
Poupon, my little gray cat, jumps up on my lap and nuzzles his face in my neck. He positions his front paws on my right shoulder and sticks his nose in my ear. I feel the soft, velvety fur of his cheeks tickling my face as I close my eyes and listen to him breathe. Then, the loudest purr I’ve ever heard begins to play and I sigh at the perfection of this moment.
An ordinary moment.
Turned extraordinary.
I hope you’ve had some of those moments, too .

This week’s video is filled with extraordinary moments. Check it out here.
Life Makeover for the Year 2017(sm) is written and produced by Cheryl Richardson.© Copyright 1999-2016 Cheryl Richardson, P.O. Box 13, Newburyport, MA 01950, www.cherylrichardson.com. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Comments
Cheryl--Thank you for celebrating the ordinary!!! I really needed to know I'm not alone. I actually don't have Facebook and know zip about Instagram, largely for the reason you alluded too:I don't feel I have much of a life "worthy" of sharing with others. But, yes, I'm very happy with my (relatively) simple life with my 2 cats and I'm just grateful for the days I can shower and "get out" at all. A positive attitude shifts your perspective iimmensely.
Love and Blessings xoxo