For many years, I avoided eating on my left side due to old tooth problems—sensitivity and cavities from my days of smoking and drinking a lot of coffee. I quit smoking about ten years ago, now drink only green or white tea, and have had extensive dental work, so my mouth is in much better shape. Yet, out of habit, I still avoid using my left side for eating and drinking, often without even realizing it.
Yesterday morning, while enjoying my usual Cinnamon Horchata Koia, a big gulp unexpectedly hit the left side of my mouth. The taste was like heaven. It had been weeks, maybe even months, since I’d experienced any taste sensation on that side, and it made me feel alive and thrilled. It got me thinking about how small changes in our daily lives can help us rediscover and appreciate what we have.
This concept has also recently proven true in other areas of my life. At home, we are surrounded by greenery and various plants: orchids, a large pot of lemongrass, pineapples growing in the front and back yards, our garden, and succulents in the bedroom. To prepare for the start of my new semester teaching business at the local community college (year six for me—time flies!), I decided to bring a succulent from my house to my office at the college. And I’m so glad I did. Taking my succulent out of its familiar environment, where I have lots of other plants, and introducing it to a new space has allowed me to experience and connect with it in a different way, and I find my appreciation for it has grown.
I hope these small yet meaningful stories from my life prompt you to pause and reflect on how you might break some little habits or make small shifts to find more joy and that beautiful feeling of being alive. Here’s a list of possibilities to get you started:
- Change your cuddle routine. Do you always cuddle with your partner in the same way, with them as the spoon, for example? Try switching it up and see how it feels. How might this change affect your connection in the moment?
- Relocate a piece of art. Is there a piece of artwork in your home that you could move to a different wall or room? Experiment with relocating it and observe how it changes your perception. How does the new setting alter your experience of the piece?
- Switch up your everyday purchases. When was the last time you experimented with your everyday purchases? Consider trying a different toothpaste, deodorant, or shampoo. How might a small change in your routine refresh your daily experience?
- Experiment with new spices. Do you always cook with the same spices like salt, pepper, and garlic? Try adding a new spice, such as turmeric or cumin, to a dish. How might this enhance your appreciation of different flavors and the foods you typically eat?
- Start your day differently. Do you always start your day the same way, such as checking emails and social media on your phone? What if you broke that habit and spiced it up by praying, reading, or stretching first thing in the morning? How might this make you feel more connected to yourself?
- Change your dining setup. Do you and the family always eat at the kitchen table in the exact same seats? Try eating at the dining room table and breaking out the nice china that is only used for holidays. How does that spark new conversations and feelings?
PS – Here’s an affirmation to remind yourself of your ability to rediscover the everyday: “I don’t need to wait for change—I have the power to create positivity, perspective, and newness in every moment.”
