A Celebration of the Things that delight us
What is it that makes our favorite things… our favorite things? Maybe it's their beauty, or the comfort they bring. Sometimes it’s the memory or association they carry. It’s often simply the way something feels in our hands, or the pleasure of looking at it.
What’s so intriguing about the things that delight us isn’t just the things themselves. It’s our response to them, that inexplicable little spark of joy we feel whenever we’re reminded of why we love them in the first place.
The simple, sensory pleasures
These are usually the most basic of things, the ones we are drawn to every single day: that first cup of coffee in the morning, the way a pot roast fills the kitchen with wonderful aromas, or certain colors that make us feel content and happy. The sound of a certain song or loved one’s voice can ground us like nothing else. That cozy blanket we reach for most often wraps us in ultimate comfort. These awaken our senses and conjure up feelings of familiarity and memory.
Some of our favorite things come from the splendor of nature, reminding us that certain pleasures are only there for a season. How many of us have been awestruck by the jaw-dropping reds of autumn leaves or the very first tulips that appear in our gardens? Years ago, I even wrote a poem about those magnificent autumn reds. There's something about these seasonal delights that brings us smack dab into the present moment when we savor them.
Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I adore chocolate. It might just be one of my very favorite things in life. I’m pretty selective in this regard, and two brands I love most and recommend to others these days are Honey Acres Chocolates and HU Chocolate, specifically the “Salty” flavor. (Just trust me on this.) Even when I don’t have any of these kinds at home, I am never truly chocolate-less. I’ve learned to make my own version of a simple but delicious dark chocolate, ensuring that I always have a little stash on hand. There’s something about the depth of it, the luxury of flavors so rich it almost breaks my heart.
My chocolate recipe 🍫
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup cacao or cocoa powder, ready and waiting in a separate bowl
2 tablespoons real maple syrup (or more to taste)
Melt coconut oil gently over very low heat, just until melted. Pour melted coconut oil over cocoa powder. Add maple syrup. Stir gently until combined. Pour into chocolate molds or use as drizzle for something yummy. Add chopped nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, a sprinkle of salt… the options are limitless. Chill until set.
*Note: This chocolate will melt easily in your hands. Also, don’t add vanilla — it will cause the chocolate to separate.
The story our favorites carry
A memento from a fabulous trip. A letter from a childhood pen pal. A small object that carries you to a place, a person, or a period of your life that you cherished and enjoy revisiting in your mind. It doesn’t have to mean a thing to anyone but you, and as far as you’re concerned, it’s nothing short of a treasure.
Most of us have a collection of these things in our homes, whether they’re on display or tucked away in a special box on a closet shelf. What makes them special is their almost magical ability to transport us into the stories of our lives.
I have a set of curtains hanging in my bedroom that take me to a beloved space and time in my life. They’re handmade, in shades of purple and burgundy-plum. To me, they’re not only gorgeous and unique; they seem ultimately meant just for me. They used to hang in the dressing rooms of my favorite, very groovy shop in Ann Arbor before it closed, a lovely import clothing-and-décor shop run by a former student of mine.
I always loved them and commented on them. When the store was closing, the owner asked if I’d like any of the fixtures, and I instantly said, “Oh, I’d LOVE those curtains!” Lo and behold, they set them aside for me, and now they adorn my bedroom windows.
I still admire them every day and think how fun it is to have a part of that lovely place I enjoyed visiting during a very different time in my life. Those curtains might not be anything special to anyone but me, but that’s not the point. To me, they’re part of my journey, a connection to a place that exists only in my heart, and a reminder of an unexpected kindness that still gives me joy.
This isn’t so much about the possessions we’ve acquired over our lifetime as it is about the meaning they hold for us. They're among the little details that make the stories of our lives uniquely our own.
My fabulous purple curtains with burgundy-plum velvet edges 💜
The things that speak to who we are
People say we can tell a lot about someone by the books they have, and I believe there’s some truth to that. Yet it’s more than just books. It’s also the materials for our favorite crafts and hobbies, the clothing and accessories we wear, the art we hang on our walls… each of these is like a mirror that shows the world who we are.
Maybe we can name the reasons we gravitate toward certain styles of expression, and maybe we can’t quite put it into words. We might like the possibilities they suggest, the art we’ll create, or the outfit we’ll wear to the next event. Most of the time, it’s just fun — and perhaps that’s reason enough.
I have a collection of books on many topics at home, everything from history and human evolution to Buddhist philosophy and German literature. Some of the sweetest books I have are by Cheri Huber and a lovely artist who goes by the name SARK. Cheri Huber writes from a Zen perspective, and I adore the handwritten pages and original drawings as much as the compassionate vibe she brings. SARK’s books are also handwritten, with playful explorations in watercolor alongside her humorous reflections on life and being an artist. One of my favorite quotes from her books is “Tell the truth faster.” Oh, how I’ve drawn on that wisdom over the years!
Those books make me happy in ways that go beyond their content, and they feel more like companions than simply books on a shelf. I highly recommend That Which You Are Seeking Is Causing You to Seek by Cheri Huber (currently out of print, so you might want to look for a used copy) and Succulent Wild Woman by SARK. I have a feeling they’ll become favorites of yours, too.
Other favorite things include containers filled with colored pencils, plenty of sketchpads just waiting to be filled, and a purple hat that makes me feel like an unapologetically vibrant version of myself. Just having them near me lifts my spirit in ways I really like and want to foster.
Delight in the ordinary things in life
It’s good to know there are things we can count on: a favorite mug. Our morning routine. The warmth of a cat’s fur as she nuzzles beside us. These everyday things show up in the smallest moments, often unnoticed or easily taken for granted. Yet if we pause long enough to appreciate them, we can see how much they bring to our lives.
Think of the last time you traveled far from home and how much you missed your own bed, your pet’s happy greeting, or the unique relief of pulling into your driveway at the end of a long day. There’s a certain comfort in these familiar pleasures, a sense of stability and ease that can brighten even our most challenging days.
My cats, my morning routine, and my coffee time are all deeply intertwined. My days begin with coming downstairs, my three kitties trampling alongside me, then turning on the coffee pot and preparing their breakfast while the coffee brews. The kitties position themselves in their usual spots as they hear their little dishes come out of the cupboard, meowing eagerly in anticipation. It’s both adorable and a bit chaotic, and I have to move quickly before they get too impatient. One mustn’t keep them waiting.
Once their food is in front of them, they’re blissfully content, silence finally ensues, and I can pour my first cup of java in peace. In that moment, all is well in the world, and the day is off to its proper start. Despite the commotion, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve come to appreciate those smaller moments in my days, and despite the many distractions of modern-day life, I make a point of noticing them as often as I can. The sweetness of that early morning routine amuses me to no end, and that’s worth a lot in itself. Being aware of the delight it brings is worth at least as much.
Paying attention to what delights us
It doesn’t matter what it is, or whether anyone else finds the same value in it as you do. What does matter is that you find joy in it. That it touches some place within you that lights you up. Yet with so much of our attention going toward problems, obligations, and the things that bother us, we often give the things we enjoy far less consideration than they deserve.
Let’s face it: There’s a lot of unpleasantness going on “out there” these days. Taking time to notice the things that bring us joy isn’t such a bad thing. These small pleasures bring a special kind of richness to ordinary life, and they’re worth celebrating.
I’d like to start a new trend here. What if we spent at least as much time and energy focusing on and sharing the things that delight us as we do on the things that trouble us? Tell a friend about your favorite time of year, something you love about your everyday life, or that movie you can’t get enough of. Share the story of a treasured object instead of getting caught up in the latest storm of troubling news. Invite others to do the same. Pass it on, this celebration of what makes us happy. It could become your new favorite thing to do.
With you on the journey,
Julie 🦋