Rain on the Windshield

And other "little things" I like

I find the sound of raindrops on the windshield of a vehicle to be soothing.

Okay, I don’t always like that sound. If I know I have lots to do with little time to do it in and it requires me to leave the dry interior of the vehicle I don’t find it nearly so appealing. Or, if you transport me back to those years in the 2000s and 2010s where the rain never seemed to stop - I know I didn’t care for that sound then.

But in those moments when I can actually allow myself a few moments to sit with my own thoughts and the light “pit-a-pat” of water droplets, it is really quite satisfying and calming.

We’ve had precious few moments for raindrops over the last couple of years here in Iowa. Things have been pretty dry. So when we got a little rain a few days ago, I found myself pausing to listen as it hit the metal roof on the garage and I took some delight in hearing it as it periodically got pushed by the wind against the window pane that gives me a view of the world from the farm office.

An assigned story that got the brain started

I remember being assigned a short story to read in 9th grade that comes back to visit my brain every so often. I have no recollection of the title or the author, but I remember the premise.

As readers, we follow an individual through a day where they are feeling good and take pleasure in all of the small things. Things like the feel of their feet in comfortable shoes while they walk down the sidewalk on a sunny, pleasant day. Or the fragrance of fresh-baked bread wafting from a window as they pass by.

The main character, as they traverse their world on this particular day, takes advantage of numerous opportunities to do nice things for others. They hold doors open, carry groceries for others and speak pleasantly with everyone they meet. Each time they succeed in making the day better for someone else, they recognize even more little things in the world around them that they find pleasing.

Of course, it was nice enough to read, but I was wondering what the point of it was until I came to the final pages. That’s when the protagonist gets home and meets their partner and they begin sharing their days with each other.

The main character’s partner took the opposite approach to their day, taking pleasure in the mean and spiteful things they had done through the course of their day. At one point this person gleefully states that they had probably managed to get someone fired from their job.

I, of course, found this turn of events disturbing. But it wasn’t nearly as difficult as it was for me to swallow the conclusion. The story ends when both partners agree to switch roles tomorrow…

Permission to enjoy the simple or mundane

Aside from the shock value of two people deciding to take turns as to which person gets to play at being nice or not so nice, I actually prefer to think more about the story before its “big reveal.” The main character takes notice of and appreciates a series of things that may not seem like that much of a big deal - and it seems to improve this person's sense of well-being as the day goes on.

That, of course, made me wonder…

How often do we tell ourselves that it is absurd to be pleased with something because it is too simple, too easy, or just not really all that important?

We probably do this at least as often as we let something small (and probably fairly insignificant) irritate us and make us unhappy.

I tell you what - I hereby grant myself AND you permission to truly enjoy the little things so we can offset all of the molehills we turn into mountains when we're wearing the “I don’t like life today” hat.

For example, I gave myself permission a while ago to attempt to take new pictures of Murphy. Of course, Murphy is a cat. And, as such, Murphy is NOT interested in providing photo-ops for the farmer. I suppose I could have gotten annoyed that I couldn't get the photo I wanted. Instead, I just enjoyed trying to get ANY picture that was in focus that featured our active feline friend.

Simply put, I found it amusing. And my best picture is shown above.... which amuses me even further.

Some little things I enjoy

I was tempted to title this section "stupid little things," but thought better of it. Why? Because, if I do that, I am still not giving myself permission to actually enjoy them without apology. There is no reason to apologize here! We can just let ourselves be content - because, maybe, we really need a dose of that right now.

Don't make it more complicated. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. What are some little things you enjoy?

Let me share a few of mine - and perhaps you can share some of yours in the comments.

I still take an inordinate amount of pleasure creating my own music playlists. I usually have a theme for each playlist and a recent group of tunes qualified if the song just made me smile or feel happy. It’s a little thing, but I am still getting a lift when I play that list.

Speaking of music, I’ve taken to playing one song at the end of the day where I allow myself to just listen to the music. I’m not doing something on the computer. I’m not reading, or cleaning or… whatever. Just listening.

It’s a little thing that I am enjoying right now.

Tammy brought me a little decorated wood block some time ago that says "What I love about my home is who I share it with." It sits to the right of my computer screen and I make sure it doesn't get covered by the flood of papers and other stuff that covers my desk area.

Why? Because it makes me happy to have evidence that she feels this way.

Once again, we potted up some geraniums this fall and put them in the living room window. And, once again, the plants are very healthy and very happy - and the blooms are coming. It's a little thing, but it makes us happy.

A few years ago, I found a brand of mechanical pencils that I really like to use. It might seem as if I’m putting an inordinate amount of value on them, but I like how they feel and that often helps me think through ideas for the farm and for writing. It’s a little thing, but it has value for me.

Someone took the time to tell me that some words I wrote meant something to them. Another person asked for my input on something they were doing, making me feel as if my thoughts were worthwhile. Someone at work took the time to tell me I had done a good job on something. And my lovely bride allowed me to explain what was worrying me without putting words in my mouth or interruption.

These things made me feel valued. Maybe they didn't seem like much to the people who made these things happen. But they did - and they do - matter.

I am reminding myself to take these positives and give them appreciation and grant them FULL VALUE. No apologies for the fact that they might not be a "big deal" to someone else and I am certainly not sorry to say that each of them made me feel better about myself and the world around me.

The little things are going to help us get through the big things.

So tell me, what little things have made you happy lately?