An Introduction
Welcome to my blog, which is also available at my Substack. I decided upon the name ‘Small Wonders’ for a simple reason. Recently, when life became a struggle and hopelessness set in, I found joy and hope in the “small wonders” that delighted and intrigued me. We often take the small, everyday things for granted, but the darker the days become, the brighter these little lights illuminate.
Over the past 18 months, I was hit by a storm of crippling anxiety, panic attacks, loss, health scares and symptoms, ongoing medical tests, and distressing family drama. The daily anxiety, in particular, stripped the joy out of everything, replacing it with persistent dread, fear and nihilism. I continue to battle some of these challenges each day, while others come and go.
In future posts I will explore some of these experiences, but the primary focus of “Small Wonders” will be the small joys, celebrations, and curiosities that help me through these times. The world around us is full of wonders, big and small, if we have the presence of mind to notice them.
I, along with many others, am pretty good at recognising and appreciating the “big wonders.” I’ve stood in awe at jaw-dropping scenery in my travels around the world. I’ve basked in the grandeur of nature while hiking in remote places and summiting mountains. I’ve experienced chills upon hearing a favourite musician perform a favourite song, surrounded by thousands of other fans.
But those “once-in-a-lifetime” memories, as wonderful as they are, often fade into the background amidst the reality, repetition and routine of everyday life. They fade even further when struggles, challenges and tragedy enter our lives. This lead me to wonder:
How do we carve out pockets of enjoyment on an ordinary day, amidst chores, work, and other commitments and obligations?
How do we find moments of joy and hope amidst despair, illness, chronic pain, grief, family struggles, for example?
When life feels like endless drudgery, what small changes can we make to improve our lives over time?
What activities help people cope with daily anxiety, as more and more people are experiencing it?
As the cost of everything goes up, what experiences or items cost little or nothing, but add value to our lives?
Does joy even matter? Is there something more important that we should be seeking?
All this and more will be explored in “Small Wonders.” If this sounds interesting to you, please join me by subscribing/following. I hope you will enjoy reading my weekly posts, and I hope to hear and learn from you.
In 2024, let’s appreciate the “small wonders” all around us.
A MOMENT IN FIVE SENSES
Inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s book “Life In Five Senses,” here I share a moment this week and what I experienced with all five senses.
Mid-morning. Trying our new inflatable pool for the first time.
SIGHT: The bright sun, high in a blue, partially cloudy sky. In the distance, the summit of our local “mountain,” or hill rather, and the silhouette of a man who has reached the top. To my left, our glorious vegetable garden, leafy, green and abundant with fruit and vegetables in mid-summer.
SMELL: The smell of new plastic, fresh out the box. Reminds me of summers at the pool in South Africa, floating on inflatable lilos.
SOUND: Birds chirping, cicadas, cars in the distance. Squeaks of plastic as I shift about.
TOUCH: Warm sun on my head and shoulders. Icy, refreshing water on my skin.
TASTE: Hot, sweet, strong Yorkshire tea with honey
Tip: Try to stop for one moment this week and notice/record all that you experienced through your senses.
READ(S) OF THE WEEK
Here I share a book/audiobook or two that I am currently reading:
BOOK: “Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin
AUDIOBOOK: “Leaving The Saints” by Martha Beck
IMAGE OF THE WEEK
In a future post, I’ll explain the meaning behind it.
UPDATES / NEWS
- I’d like to congratulate all those involved in the TVNZ show, “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes” for winning the award for best format reality series at the 2023 New Zealand Television Awards. Clifford Miller, who appears on the show, is a member of the Albany Singing Group that I, along with Craig Hallen, facilitated in 2022 and 2023. Last year, Craig, myself and a few members of the group, were lucky to dine at the restaurant and sing some songs, appearing briefly in Episode 2.
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Sarah
SARAHVZMUSIC 
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