I imagine most of you followed along in horror while events continued to unfold in Minneapolis this weekend. I know I was paralyzed in disbelief. Despair started creeping in again. Deep in my bones.
But then, something amazing happened.
I looked out my kitchen window and saw a flock of robins visiting my heated-dog-dish birdbath. A dozen of them at least. In sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. Taking turns (sometimes not willingly, I’ll add . . . ) getting drinks, taking full baths, warming themselves. It went on throughout the day. (We needed to refill the water twice.) And, of course, it reminded me that . . . There are good things in this world. And I can see them in my own backyard . . . if I open my eyes and look.
Of course, it doesn’t make everything “right.” But it was a good reminder. And it countered some of the despair-feelings. For a few minutes, at least.
So I want to issue an invitation to you this week.
I’m going to host a “happy hour” here on my blog this Friday. Come and join me! All you have to do . . . is notice something good this week. Keep your eyes open. Notice something. And then tell us all about it in the comments on Friday. Maybe it’ll be a beauty emergency. A piece of good news. Something funny that happened to you? Maybe a joke . . . or a book recommendation . . . or something you’ve accomplished . . . or a recipe. Anything at all . . . that is GOOD.
Let’s share good news together.
Happy Hour. This Friday.
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
— Mary Oliver
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NOTE: These photos are terrible, I know. The conditions were not conducive to compelling photography. Please imagine the bright red breasts on these robins. It was pretty stunning in real life.
Love your suggestion. I’ll be tracking my happy moments this week.
I am imagining the conversation those robins are having around the water warmer. (and I absolutely will keep my eyes open to join in on Friday’s Happy Hour!) I have such despair over everything so thank you for that robin photo… nature interrupting the chaos to bring a slice of delight.
What a fabulous idea, Kym! I spent 30 minutes crying yesterday morning just to rid myself of the evil humors that seem prevalent these days. I felt better for the experience. It may need to be a daily occurrence for a while. Did I tell you about my great aunt Minerva that came to believe she was a lemon? She lost her zest for life. Just thought I would get the ball rolling. 😉
This is a wonderful idea. I’ll be thinking all week of what I can share come Friday’s happy hour.
What a beautiful idea Kym. Thank you! I’m looking forward to sharing AND seeing what everyone else is sharing.
This is a wonderful idea and I will be on the look out for something good to share on Friday!
This is a perfect antidote to the despair. I will look out for good things and make a note of them so I can share!
We have an assignment. And this too is an act of resistance.
This is lovely. See you at Happy Hour!
But I can’t wait… thankfully, I had something good to share TODAY!!
I already have one good thing to share and will be looking for other things this week. Thanks for your good idea!
What a lovely idea Kym. Now all week many of us will be looking for something to share during Happy Hour Friday. What is it with the robins? Through December and part of January there was a flock circulating in our neighborhood. Maybe someone, had a warm (relative term) bath set out for them somewhere although they do like the ornamental tree fruit on a couple of the streets.
This past week my something good has been the same as yours. The lesser finches, chickadees, house finches and even a junco or two have come to my deck by the dozens. We have no snow, but we do have cold days (especially the mornings) and they love the water and the food. I’d love to see robins visit, but they prefer more open areas for bathing and food. The birds just make me so very happy!