Teeny Tiny Joys
This is a tough time for old hippies like me.
We joined the establishment decades ago, but tried throughout to keep our values intact. We’ve championed the needs of the poor and the powerless, worked to protect human rights and preserve the environment, protested war and corruption – all while also trying to support our families and respect opinions that differed from ours.
This year is difficult. We of the peace-and-love generation are truly worried that the progress we had made in the last sixty years may be dismantled. We are afraid for civil rights, for clean air, for health care, for education.
But despite these significant concerns, we stay optimistic. Because we also believe in the basic goodness of human beings.
We’ll get through the current crisis, just as we survived fearful and distressing times in the past.
As for me personally, what’s helping me stay hopeful and happy is concentrating on the small pleasures that still occur every day. The teeny tiny joys that comfort me.
Here’s how I had a sweet day today.
It snowed last night, so I went out this morning and played with the dog. Theo loves the snow. He runs around like a nut. I hate cold weather, but he brings joy through his sheer pleasure of the moment.
But I also realized out in the slushy snow that my boots had hit the end of the road. I could feel my socks slowly getting wet. So okay, time for new boots. Hell, I like shopping, even if it means I have to contend with holiday crowds.
First, though, I had a dentist appointment. Now that doesn’t exactly bring pleasure to a day. But it was just a cleaning and I have the sweetest hygienist in the world. An immigrant from Thailand, she told me once that she envied me for having a gift for writing. “I could never do that… my English is just not good enough. It is a struggle for me just to read.” Well, I informed her firmly that she not only learned English, she went to school and studied and passed the licensing for dental hygiene in a language not her own. “How many people could do that… do you think I could learn a specialized profession in Thailand?” “Oh, I never thought of it that way… I guess I did okay,” she said.
So that’s why I don’t mind going to the dentist. But still, it’s the dentist, so I am certainly due a little reward. My mother used to bribe me; I see no reason to discontinue that tradition.
So shopping for boots.
I drove half an hour to the dentist, so what’s another half hour to my favorite shoe store? It sounds about right to me.
I arrived at the store, and there was a parking space right in front. Nice.
I found some pretty nice boots. Waterproof, lined – and cool looking too. Even though I have a Medicare card in my wallet, I still want to look cool.
However, in the same shopping center, there are three other stores that carry shoes. And that Medicare card also indicates that I need to accept that I am an old retired person who needs to be frugal. So I put the boots back in the box (kind of in the bottom of the rack as protection) and went to check out the other stores.
Three stores later, I was sure that I wanted those first boots.
But I also needed lunch. So I ran into McDonald’s for a cheeseburger and a coffee. The cheeseburger was consumed back in my car in under sixty seconds, but the coffee – how can coffee be that hot and yet not demonstrating a rolling boil right in the cup? Ah, but no complaints. Not today. I left the coffee in the car and went back to the first store.
And guess what? I was gone an hour and the boots were gone too. And even though I hadn’t been sure I really wanted them – after all, I went to three other stores to see if I could find something better – now that they were gone I wanted them in the worst way.
I went up to the desk and asked if there were any more in the back. No, everything they had was out – (which I hardly ever believe; I worked in retail several years ago. Where does the shit come from when they re-stock? Why – from out back, of course) – but anyway, I am determined not to let stuff bug me unless actual lives are at stake.
So I thanked the clerk and turned to go. And she said, “You know, I could order those for you online and they will be delivered in under 7 days right to your door, and there’s no shipping charge.” Ah. So now I could have them. Did I want them? Well… did I want to shop more? Did I want wet, cold feet?
Yes. Yes I did want cool boots and dry warm feet. The clerk entered the order and she said,“You know what, they’re offering $10 off today online, and it looks like even when I’m ordering from the store, you might get it.” And I did. I didn’t get to take the boots home today, but they were cheaper than if I had bought them on the first go-round.
That means that some other woman got those cool boots while I was eating a cheeseburger. So she was probably really happy. And I got the same boots and I saved ten dollars. So two people got happy today, and I ate a cheeseburger. For me, right now, that’s the definition of a good day.
And I got back to my car, and my coffee was exactly the right temperature.
And I turned the key and the radio came on, and my fantasy sweetheart James Taylor was singing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
In some ways, the world is terrible.
In some ways – teeny tiny ways – the world is sweet.
notquiteold 
Amen. Sounds like a good day to me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
(And.. I’ll bet Sweet Baby James wears English Leather cologne!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m an old hippie too and your teeny tiny joys made me happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nancy, I needed your post today. I’m an old hippie too that feels beaten by the current political nightmare. Tiny joys, yes ma’am.
LikeLike
We need to concentrate on the small immediate joys, while not losing sight of what we can do in the bigger picture.
LikeLike
Kindred spirits…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto to the three above comments. And your post was spot-on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another kindred spirit…trying to embrace the small joys of a single day, and am thankful for every single one of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas, Nancy, to you and all those ho mean the most to you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the crisis we face right now is a little frightening. And if it was still 1969, I’d be saying my peace. As it is though, I’m keeping a low profile during these next few years hoping I won’t have to scream in protest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought 1969 was a terrifying year, but looking back, we got through it. I hope we will now too.
LikeLike
Wonderful post. This is exactly how we’ll get through these 4 years. By enjoying the small stuff while monitoring the big stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. I don’t want to withdraw from the world, and i want to do what I can. But I also want to focus on good things close to home.
LikeLike
I don’t think they can dismantle everything in two years. That is all they will get. A new majority in the House and Senate in 2018 and likely impeachment for corruption should end the insanity.
A little spill from that coffee could have been your retirement, but alas, you are too honest. The money saved because of your patience bought you a cheeseburger and coffee with a little change leftover. That was indeed a winning day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with your assessment for the country. I hope there will be a minimum of the dismantling of so many years of progress. In the meantime, why not at least be happy with a good cup of coffee?
LikeLike
Seeking joy in the small things is really all we have. Otherwise we will go batshit crazy. Time to look at kittens on YouTube.
LikeLike
Kittens are always a good idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nancy. It’s so easy for me to let fear take over. It really takes consciousness and perseverance to stay in the moment and enjoy those tiny joys. I’m still working on it.
LikeLike
I’m not always successful, but we need to find a little joy where we can.
LikeLike
Yes live and buy the boots, or whatever else takes your fancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep up the reminders. I’m gonna need them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved your story, Nancy! You will have to show us your new boots when they arrive. May the tiny joys of life sustain us for the next four years. I have to believe that after the next four years, people will be ready for another change – back in the right direction next time. We are moving forward, but sometimes, you know, it’s two steps forward and one step back, hopefully only a small step back.
Your post is one of my tiny joys for today. Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you. Writing about small positive experiences helps remind me to stay positive too.
LikeLike
The sweet and the sour…and life is good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tiny joy! This was a good read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe the world is built by our everyday actions, not by any “officials”.
LikeLike
What affects our daily lives – what touches us and what we touch – make the biggest impact in our happiness. But we also need to pay attention to the world and live with integrity. It’s the balance that is sometimes difficult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great post for this moment. And. OMG. You know we share our JT love. My favorite version of my favorite Christmas song, by far. Playing it right now – thank you!!
LikeLike
P.S. – I really want to see a picture of those boots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this has truly been an Annus Horribulous (or however the Queen spelled that). I’m so glad things turned out nicely for you — boots and all!!!!! xoxo
LikeLike