I've done a certain thing the past few years on Instagram that I will probably do again. It's essentially a highlight reel that you share at the end of the year. All your favorite Instagram stories, from some of your favorite moments over the last 12 months. I'm sure a couple great concerts will be on it, of course my trip to Spain, and several incredible moments from Disney World. The highlights. The things that always end up on Instagram, because it's the most natural place for them to go.
It's November now, and my mind has somehow started to tune in to the fact that 2019 is almost over. I have this affinity for looking back over everything a year has taught me, and I suppose that's why I'm already jumping the gun.
But in thinking of some of my favorite moments of the year, I've also been contemplating how much more than the highlights should end up on our lists. So I thought, what if I made a new kind of list? One that leaves out all those highlights completely, and focuses only on the simplest, most mundane moments I loved.
I should wait until the last week of December to share them probably, but this is my blog and when have I ever held back from sharing what I wanted to, when I wanted to? :)
So, here are a few of my favorite, otherwise completely mundane, small but memorable moments of 2019:
Driving home one day in February, or perhaps March, and noticing a tree in full bloom for the first time since the year began. Something about those vibrant white flowers struck me. Like a sudden announcement that the dreariness of winter (which felt especially long last year) was finally coming to an end.
Reading Wide as the Waters and learning about the incredible stories and sacrifices that led to an English translation of the Bible. Though I'll forget details and names, I don't think I'll ever forget the impression that story made on me.
Driving down to the beach on a random Monday in January and parking my car on the sand. It wasn't an impressive beach in any way, but the sound of the ocean is the sound of the ocean, and cold as it was, it was one of the most relaxing moments I'd had in awhile.
A rainy Thursday morning in June when I went downtown to exchange some money and got caught in the rain. I had to walk several blocks in it to my car and realized that when I had no way to avoid the drizzle, I somehow started to enjoy it.
Staying up to read my favorite novel until 2am one night, and at one point having to put the book down because I was so strangely moved by all the emotion in it, and the beautiful way in which stories can affect us so deeply.
Many moments sitting beneath the trees outside my favorite coffee shop after work, drinking a large green tea and reading or writing while the cars pass by. Rush hour in Houston is pretty much built to cause you stress, so I often chose to spend it here instead, then headed home once the world was (moderately) calm again.
I guess the point of this list is that our enjoyment in our lives shouldn't reach its peak only when we travel, when we celebrate, when we finally reach that milestone. I believe life should be enjoyed even when it's plain. Because the fact is, life itself is never truly plain at all. We just get distracted into thinking it is. Into believing that things have to be big and different to be meaningful. But they don't. They can be quiet and simple and small and still affect us in profound ways.
What are some of your favorite mundane moments of your year?
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