Narnia. Mark Irvine. CC BY
The sky became bluer and bluer and now there were white clouds hurrying across it from time to time. In the wide glades there were primroses. A light breeze sprang up which scattered drops of moisture from the swaying branches and carried cool, delicious scents against the face of the travellers. The trees began to come fully alive. The larches and birches were covered with green, the laburnums with gold. Soon the beech trees had put forth their delicate, transparent leaves. As the travellers walked under them the light became green. A bee buzzed across their path.
“This is no thaw,” said the Dwarf, suddenly stopping. This is spring . . .”
—”Aslan is Nearer,” The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
What delighted you today?
That it’s the first day of spring delights me.
The beautiful description of spring coming after a hundred years of winter (but never Christmas) in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe delights me.
That I remember first reading that passage at age ten delights me.
The painting of a child in a green forest clearing, reaching out to pet a deer that may be merely a statue, or might be real, or will become real at the touch of her hand, delights me.
—I’ve decided to notice things that delight me, every day.
As way of stopping to breathe in the daily grind, of pushing back the domineering world, of finding a moment of stillness, even seconds of stillness, to savor something I see, hear, taste, touch, smell—or simply sense within my soul.
Such as:
the three finch eggs in the nest on my front door
birdsong early in the morning
my youngest son asking when I’ll be home so we can go walking
my husband’s laughter
Henry the dog’s ecstasy at any sighting of me
finally writing something down after its wings have beating in my head or heart for ever so long
What delighted you today?
All around us are affirmations, if we open ourselves to receive them. The wondrous exists in close proximity, is even ours for the taking, if we remain aware. As grand as a bald eagle at the roadside, as pure as the light in a child’s eyes, as simple as a stranger passing by with a genuine smile and a “Hello! How are you today?”
What delighted you today?
Might even pay to keep a journal of delight, to read and re-read when most needed, to create a pocket of peace amid the clamor, to strike a spark in the dark.
Every day has its gifts, small and great, that await.
What delighted you today?
—And what delight will you be?
lit bits and pieces 
I love this outlook. What delighted you today? And even better, what delight will you be? I’ll be on the look out. We are in the process of thinking about journals for our staff- a place to write at faculty meetings and then share. We want to make time to share our stories. I think this would be a lovely invitation.
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How wonderful, journals for your staff; if you do use the delight approach, please let me know what happens! The outlook does change everything… thank you 🙂
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I’m going to think more about what delights me every day. I love that you express your delights so eloquently. Today Rita’s Italian Ice is serving free soft serve in celebration of spring. That delights me!
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Thank you – and free soft serve would absolutely delight me as well!
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I’m now rethinking my nightly gratitude journaling. The habit persists, though has gotten stale; perhaps, if I see it as a journal of delights (for which I’m grateful!), my attention may broaden. Also now thinking that a re-read of the Chronicles of Narnia is in order…
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If you try a journal of delights – let me know what transpires! As to the Chronicles of Narnia – I’m in. Let’s re-read them. 🙂
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This is great and my delight-watching a big lizard peel out after a small bird that landed under a tree. Do lizards eat birds?
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I don’t know if lizards eat birds, but I did see a video once of a big, bad New York City rat chasing a cat down the street. If not especially delightful, it WAS hilarious! Tell your birds to look out…
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” a journal of delight” what a delightful idea! So you! I love your positive energy and the way you embrace all that is beautiful in life. I have a friend who puts on a dramatic production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” at her church every couple of years. Such a perfect allusion for spring, and thanks for reminding me that this is the first day of spring.
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Thank you – I so appreciate your own positive, joyful approach to life! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe makes a fascinating study for Advent, too.
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Love this line: “Might even pay to keep a journal of delight, to read and re-read when most needed, to create a pocket of peace amid the clamor, to strike a spark in the dark.” Just last night I listed the following free writing regulars I want to intentionally do more of: grateful journal, wondering journal, laughing journal (did this one with my grandkids as stickies–no jokes allowed but genuine funny things said or done),…. and now I must add a journal of delight.
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I once kept an “Encouragement Folder” of notes and emails people sent me, that I could return to and re-read as a means of lifting my spirits in the more trying moments of the workday. It would remind me of my purpose, that I am fulfilling it, and that I must press on. I was attempting to expand that experience here with delight. Life is short; we are surrounded by delights that we miss too often, as we are so burdened and frenzied. The delights really are the sparks that help us go on, that remind us to savor the experience, the gift, of being alive (why I write!). Thank so you much, Alice, for these words and for pointing me to Elizabeth’s post on “What do you love today?” I am always amazed by the ideas that land on more than one of us at the very same time. Many delights to you this day. 🙂
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Thank you, Fran. I have something like your Encouragement Folder… in two large binders and in a large stationary box. And yes, they do lift my heart and help me continue. Blessings!
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The first day of spring brings so many delights. Thanks for asking. But that last question hit me most, “What delight will you be today?” Let your light shine out in the world like the super moon on the vernal equinox.
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