Finding Joy in Small Things

How being forced to slow down made me grow

Last week I had a small accident and had to stay at home. Unable to use my right foot, I had to refocus. It was temporary but forced me to reorganize my daily routine. I could not just do things. I had to plan. I had to be more present and conscious. Every step meant a lot of pain. If I wanted something I had to plan in advance for every trip somewhere around the house. I had to know what I needed in the moment and what I might need for the future.

On one hand, it meant more security, but on the other it meant a little bit of anxiety - what if I forgot something important? And then I let go. I allowed myself to be a fragile human being. Limited, easily broken, with a lot of mistakes. I did not have to be a mythical hero like Hercules who is always ready and willing to fight against all odds. I recognized I might not be able to be fully operational for some time. And that is totally fine.

Confined to my home, I had to focus on what was available there. It was not only my computer but also a library full of books, a nice audio set, and many nice things, and… a very comfy bed.

There I said it. I spent a lot of time lying on my bed. Sometimes reading or watching something, but also meditating or simply napping. Yes, you do not have to be productive 24/7. Even machines need maintenance and have to be off from time to time. Human beings are not different in this regard.

I have to say I enjoyed those moments very much. You should try this too. Especially if you come from a culture of non-stop work, try having some time off. Do not feel guilty because you deserve some downtime. And if you do have some time off, be more mindful. It is Lent after all.

Enjoy every moment, cherish every second for the sake of those moments. Make your bed a sanctuary. But do not confine yourself to one place. Make every space you occupy a sanctuary, a place where you live fully and consciously. This wasn’t forgotten in the Old Country, and I hope you don’t need to get injured like me to return to the Old Country.

Being more conscious and mindful should also mean using more senses. In daily life we mostly focus on our eyes and to a lesser degree on our hearing. And there is nothing wrong with this, as our world is built around the idea of us seeing and hearing things. But what about other senses?

Even though I could not move as much as I wanted, I still used my eyes. But my other senses also sharpened. I started hearing sounds I usually ignored. It was mostly for safety reasons but I also heard the sound of an old clock in my house. I was also more aware of my cats’ purring. Simple things. Listening to music became a small feast for the ears.

The same thing happened with other senses as well. I became like a dog – able to sense so many smells around me. My taste also sharpened. Every meal, even a small one, became a huge deal. I could not devote much time or energy to cook and had to rely on others but enjoyed every food I was served. It was like a Michelin-three-star was feeding me.

In situations like mine, you realize that there will be a time when you may need to rely on others. I knew I had to ask for some help and it was super nice that I had others to rely on. Because of this I became more conscious of how much time and energy assisting others may involve.

Helping others is nothing new to me but in those moments I realize even more I should not overburden others. In situations like mine, it is expected to be helped but it does not mean you should not also help yourself. Unless you are bedridden and very ill, you should at least try. If others are like servants, so are you. You want to be helped, then you should also help others. Reciprocation is the key.

And do not become a grumpy bitter person even if you are going through pain. We are all suffering in one way or another. It is understandable that from time to time you may be insufferable. It is human. Not many people will hold it against you. What should not become understandable is becoming a permanent jerk. No pain is an excuse. If you want others to be humane, act the same way.