This week I am grateful for…

246. A Sunset Glow

247. Leftover Restaurant Food

248. The First Snow of the Season

249. The Movie Wicked

250. The Holiday Season

#246: A Sunset Glow

After a rain-soaked day, I was greeted by an unexpected gift: a radiant orange sky, glowing in the aftermath of sunset. I paused for a few mindful breaths, savoring the fleeting beauty of the moment. Nature has this way of grounding us when we least expect it if we stop and notice, doesn’t it? My photo below doesn’t quite capture the magic, but it’s a reminder that sometimes, life’s simplest scenes leave the deepest impressions.

#247: Leftover Restaurant Food

A little shoutout to restaurants with generous portions—there’s nothing better than opening your fridge to find a second serving of your favorite meal waiting for you. It’s like a delicious sequel at no extra cost! Special thanks to the places that don’t skimp on servings.

#248: The First Snow of the Season

This Thursday, we received the first snowfall of the season in Massachusetts—just 4 inches, but enough to give students (and staff!) a snow day! Working at a college, I found myself behaving like a student again, obsessively refreshing my notifications. Then bing!—there it was: “Due to inclement weather, the college will be closed on…” That’s when I had an involuntary happy dance and a chorus of “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” It was great to watch the snow from the indoors and enjoy my morning cup of tea. Thank you Mother Nature for that amazing gift.

#249: The Movie Wicked

Confession: I’m not big on musicals, and I’ve never seen The Wizard of Oz. But this week, my girlfriend and I went to see Wicked, and let me tell you—I was pleasantly surprised. As a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, it weaves a captivating tale that had me invested from start to finish. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were mesmerizing in their roles, and now I’m low-key excited for part 2. I need to know what happens next!

#250: The Holiday Season

Ah, the holiday season—my second-favorite time of year (fall still reigns supreme). There’s something magical about the merry buzz in the air, the twinkle of lights, and holiday songs that seem to warm even the coldest of days. I adore hearing strangers exchange heartfelt “Happy holidays!”—it’s like a warm hug for the soul.

Weekly Spotlight 

This week, I want to share a poem often attributed to Nadine Stair, with the story going that she wrote it in her 80s. It’s a beautiful reminder to embrace life with a touch of daring and joy:

“If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer,
a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.”

— Nadine Stair

What brought you joy this week? You can leave me a comment below.

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