Finding Magic in the mundane

My absolute favorite moment of the day is having my coffee in the morning. I only have one, because too much caffeine makes me jittery, so I want to make sure I really savor it. I buy special beans, that I picked after sniffing dozens of different types. Using my special cup, that I bought for this joyous occasion and that makes me happy every day. I nestle myself on the couch in my comfy bathrobe, and I sit there drinking my coffee in silence. The whole ritual from making the coffee to finishing it takes me 15 minutes max, but those 15 minutes are my absolute favorite. I look forward to it when I go to bed, and the thought of it is what motivates me to get out of my warm, comfortable bed in the morning.

While I enjoy exotic vacations, special events and the holiday season as much as the next person, a lot of life consists of moments that don´t give us a great story to tell our friends over a glass of wine. But that doesn´t mean that there is no magic in the everyday activities, the daily routine, our ordinary lives. In fact, with a little bit of care and attention, that is where the true magic is found.

Choosing to pick our favorite daily activity and turn it into a ritual, where we take the time to enjoy it without distractions, really has the power to elevate our daily life into something extraordinary. 

All it takes is the removal of distractions, so that we can put all emphasis on what we enjoy so much about this particular activity. Going for a walk and taking the time to notice the changing of seasons. Taking the time to cook a delicious meal while listening to beautiful music. Lighting a candle for a lunch without distractions. Feeling the hot water on your skin while you are in the shower. Even tasks like cleaning or folding laundry can feel like a ritual when you are doing them consciously.

Honoring the beauty of our daily routine reminds us that life does not have to be big and eventful to be special and appreciated.

Not every day will feel like the best day ever, and oftentimes we will just do tasks simply because they need to get done. Some days, everything will feel like a massive chore. Spending every moment of your waking hours being present, enjoying the moment and grateful seems nearly impossible. Building in the time to be present in one everyday activity, one that you enjoy to begin with, can really be an anchor in a stressful, hectic day. Spending an extra 5 to 10 minutes making an enjoyable, ordinary activity a little bit more special can bring a touch of magic to our daily life.

Whether it is getting the special coffee beans, using an extra soft towel, choosing a different route on your daily walk, allow yourself that extra spark of magic. It might just change your life.