3 Delightful Observations for the End of July

I've been doing a lot of academic and work-related writing this month, which hasn't left me a lot of time for writing on my blog. However, there have been a couple of things on my mind this month: observations that have led to more delight in my life. I hope they resonate with you too! 

Don't skip the pleasantries.

Lately I've been noticing how pleasant interactions with strangers can be. I'm talking about the people that you run into throughout the day that you don't know, like the person you walk by on the street or the grocery store worker. I've been going to the post office regularly and there is one man working there who I initially thought was kind of grumpy, but one day I made sure to smile at him and ask him how his day was going and he became a whole different, friendly person. And it only took me being pleasant for two seconds! Now, whenever I stop in, he greets me kindly. (I'm still working on the other postal worker--you can't win them all!) 

Whenever I walk or run along the cornfield lined roads of my husband's hometown, I have always been struck by the fact that everyone waves at you as they pass by in their vehicles. I was there this weekend, and as I waved back to all the people I didn't know, I was reminded how nice it is to acknowledge people and to be acknowledged in this way. Now, back here in the city I would probably look like a lunatic waving at every car that passed me on High Street, but I'm just saying if the opportunity arises to exchange pleasantries with a stranger, do it. You'll never regret it. 

Just invite people over already.

Many years ago, a friend made the comment, "I don't worry about cleaning up before people come over. I know they've seen my house clean once, and that's good enough." I remember thinking at the time there is no way I could ever be that casual about my house! At the same time, I never judged the cleanliness of her house--I was just happy to spend time with her. It was like I held myself to a higher standard than the one I had for other people. 

Anyway, this month I was going to have people over, but I also didn't feel like my house was looking perfect enough, so I almost didn't do it. Thankfully, I made myself send the invite. It was a fun evening and after everyone went home, one of the guests texted me: "Thank you so much for having us over -- great time and loved all the stories and laughter." This was just what I needed to hear. It's the fun and connection that people remember from time spent together, not that my back porch step is broken. So silence your inner critic and just invite people over!

Don't dwell on the weather.

This summer has been so rainy and humid. While I don’t really enjoy this type of weather, I had kind of gotten used to it. That’s why when I stepped out the door a week or so ago for my morning walk, I was stopped in my tracks. The wave of humidity I’d been expecting to assault my skin never came. The air felt, dare I say it, cool?!

I set out for my walk, thinking all the while how this pleasant change in the weather drastically increased the delightfulness of my time outside. I think part of the reason was that I wasn’t expecting it. I hadn’t checked the weather for weeks because seeing the rain and thunderstorm icon repeated every day was bringing me no joy. The weather has since reverted back to storms and humidity, but I'm not letting it get me down because I know that there will be another pleasant surprise on the horizon.