An exceptionally ordinary day

We spend most of our time in our mundane everyday lives. You know, the kind where you make the bed, take a shower, brush your teeth, make breakfast, and head off to work or school. Then, when you come home, it’s time to prepare dinner and still find time to invest in and build your relationships with loved ones. Maybe even do something just for fun. Sleep for 7-8 hours and then do it all over again.

Perhaps that’s why so many people look for “the cherry on top,” “the silver lining,” or “the icing on the cake.” It’s a bit of a shame, though, because if we’re honest, there aren’t all that many days in a year when we can focus on that. You know, where if you don't make a ton of money you have finally saved enough for a vacation where you don’t look at price tags. Or a dinner where you order both a glass of wine and dessert. Or, if you do have the money, there is usually not enough time to just go hang around with nothing on your mind for an extended period of time.

So, if we want to have a life we’re truly satisfied with calling our own, it’s essential to become skilled at enjoying everyday life. To feel content when it’s time to bring out the vacuum cleaner after a dinner where the kids has made it look there was a feeding of animals at the zoo. Maybe even finding joy in the opportunity to go to work and do the best you can? Or in just managing to squeeze in a hug in the midst of family chaos rather than having romantic sex on a big bed strewn with rose petals.

I don’t know, but being good at everyday life beats being good at the special moments eight days a week. If you agree, it might be a good idea to ponder a few simple things:

1. What would a good day look like for you? Not a perfect day. Not an optimal day. Just a solidly good day. Did you go to bed and get a good night’s sleep? How did you eat? What attitude did you bring to things? How did you treat yourself and others? What did you accomplish? How much did you let the thinking about the stuff you didn't get bully you? If you take on these questions, or perhaps others that suit you better, and do what Albert Einstein called a “thought experiment,” you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what it brings you.
2. Would you accept 50 million tax-free if I gave it to you? Straight into your account, no questions asked? Of course, you would, right? But would it change anything if I said the only catch is that you don’t get to wake up tomorrow? If your answer is that you’d never take the money under that condition, think about what that means. It means you value waking up to a normal day in your ordinary life to more than 50 million.

Maybe it’s worth keeping that in mind when you wake up tomorrow? Sometimes, all it takes is getting a fresh start. By just having one day that you consider to be simply a good day. Of course, it might not make a huge difference right away. However, as you add another and then another, it starts to become not just a good life but one you’re proud to call your own. When would now be a good time to start?