Are You Finding Small Joys in January?
What’s happening in your corner? Has January ushered a smooth or rough start to 2022?
Coming off holiday activity and into our usual routine can be a difficult adjustment. Social events and stimulation of balsam fragrances in our surroundings, make heading back into our uneventful normal a challenge. With a different perspective, some look enthusiastically at January as a fresh start, and head full speed into addressing goals and projects.
Here in South Carolina, January was marked with several inches of snow. Like Dorothy who wasn’t in Kansas, the snowfall didn’t compare to my days growing up in New York, where snow was measured in feet, not inches. We made the best of it, bundling up, shoveling snow, and continuing to work or school. No exaggeration here: I walked to school in the snow. No exaggeration in measurement: feet, not inches. Pictures in my photo albums testify. It was rough, frigid, and inconvenient.
Now years later, for me, one of the best parts of living in the south (when it comes to snow), is hunkering down. Everything closes, and unless you lose power to cause stress and a need for layered clothing indoors, life takes a slow pace. You can’t go anywhere, so it’s time to clean cupboards for a fresh look, or time to refresh, personally.
I refreshed so much that I haven’t written or posted a blog since the first of January. And I did not rearrange cupboards. I gave myself permission to take life at a slow indoor pace. I didn’t have satellite connection to TV (snow covered the dish and my deck was ice covered, so I couldn’t walk out there to knock off snow with a broom). I read two books while sitting under a blanket and sipping hot cinnamon tea
.
Hearing the South Carolina weather reports, a longtime family friend from Georgia called to see how I was doing. Connecting with a live voice and catching up was a gift. Pictures via text of my grandsons playing in the snow and watching social media videos of families sledding, brought me smiles. My caring friends stayed in touch with each other to see if we were safe. My Bible study over zoom was a connection with the outside world. Small joys.
My alone time-sipping tea and reading, hearing from friends, and seeing the smiles of children remind me of words from Pearl S. Buck “Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.”
I didn’t miss or lose out. Those small joys were big happiness.
And as for my cinnamon spiced tea, I couldn’t let January slip by without a reminder that it’s National Hot Tea Month. It’s an especially good time to refresh your heart and body with a cup of hot tea. Stop over under categories and you’ll find other posts on tea and refreshment. Choose your favorite hot tea, pause to rest and reflect. It’s a small joy that could turn out to be a big happiness.
How do you take time to refresh and renew? Not just on snowy days-but any time?
The Conversation
Wonderful post; and great to see you back again Ms. Marilyn. Sounds like you had a blessing-filled January indeed ma’am. Thank you for the reminder of how we need to slow down and take note of all the little things that enrich our lives so much. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thanks JD. Good to be back.We can never underestimate the value of a Selah. Marilyn
As a southern girl, I recognize many truths in your message–when it snows, everything stops; ice storms create havoc; and it’s important to hunker in and rest, read, and drink hot tea (or chocolate). I’ve been isolated inside this week due to illness and I confess, I didn’t clean cabinets or anything else. I did find energy to read, eat soup, and warm hands and tummy with hot drinks. We may get another snow and I can just keep on with rest. But we need that and I don’t feel guilty. Our energy will renew and we’ll be productive again in His service. Enjoyed your message. Stay safe and warm.
It is important to take that time off to refresh our souls. And those small joys can bring large benefits. I’m glad you enjoyed that time and stayed off the icy porch! Blessings and thanks for sharing, Marilyn!
Welcome back. My step-children in MA are preparing for two feet of snow. We have several inches already on the ground in PA. I drink hot tea all year round, but winter is the time to sit and savor. God bless!
I still have trouble giving myself permission to slow down this helps me see it as a positive good-for-me thing! Thanks for a refreshing post!
Gotta go sip some tea.
Thank you for stopping by. Our cold winter isn’t letting up and that means more opportunities to avoid rushing to the next thing, but taking time to settle indoors and creatively rest with a cup of tea of course:)
I had a week that was full of stress and lacking on sleep so I did almost nothing today but grocery shop. Letting myself relax felt decadent, but I think my body and mind needed the day off. Sometimes, that is ok. Thanks for the reminder to slow down.
Joanna, Have you read Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton? She gives a healthy and I will add Biblical perspective, to rest. I recommend it.Marilyn
Marilyn, I love this cozy, yet refreshing post. I need to indulge and appreciate the small joys more. God renews us when we rest and bask in His blessings. I enjoy coffee, a good book, and a soft throw. I think I’ll look forward to that small joy tomorrow.
Thanks Jeannie, I want to hear what small joy you encountered:). Marilyn
LOVED that Buck quote (totally sharing it 🙂 ). And a friend gifted me with “hot cinnamon sunset” tea when she came to visit. It’s absolutely my new favorite.
Thank you Angela for joining us and sharing. Marilyn