Smiling through pain?

The January 7 reading is titled “How Happy Are You Right Now?”

Uh….crickets…crickets…crickets.

To be fair, my present state of UN-happiness has more to do with the excruciating pain in my back (literal, not figurative) that has been plaguing me for almost a week now.  (I strained/pulled it last Friday just reaching for something. Great.) But that’s beside the point.

The reading references “A Life of One’s Own,” a 1934 journal by Englishwoman Joanna Field in which she sought to document the joys in her everyday life. Today’s reading suggests we might be overlooking our own everyday joys and therefore closing ourselves to experiencing overall happiness. “What is missing from many of our days is a true sense that we are enjoying the lives we are living.”

I’d agree with that. I far too often ignore the smallest of things that make me happy — like  at my day job (in the newsroom of a news organization), being able to help a caller to our “tip line” without too much effort, on either the caller’s part or mine. (Sometimes the calls eat up as much as 20 minutes….sigh.) So getting someone a quick, easy answer makes me (and the caller) happy…and relieved!

The reading talks about taking time to enjoy simple pleasures, things like enjoying the aroma of flowers as you arrange a pretty bouquet, finding a spot of sun to enjoy your coffee or tea…things like that.

My usual response is:  “Don’t you get it?! I DON’T HAVE TIME to take some time!!” But maybe I should set aside my knee-jerk reaction, think about it and make an effort.

So that’s my pledge for today. As I hobble around, bent over like an old woman with each back spasm, I’ll savor each pain-free moment. … How’s that for a start?

In late 2015 I started reading “Simple Abundance” a daily devotional by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It’s more than a devotional; it’s a guide to recognizing the joy in each moment. I haven’t quite reached that state, but I’m hopeful. I’ve decided to share my daily thoughts on this blog. I’d love to hear yours as well.