“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha

Today’s post is a reflection on how we can find peace and comfort in simple past times and everyday tasks.

I just had the most wonderful breakfast.  It was a simple meal, but satisfying:  loads of peaches, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in a bowl, plus a glass of iced water.

Breakfast doldrums

Typically, I dread breakfast.  I’m slow to warm to a new day and need plenty of time to wake up and “get situated.”  I’m not hungry first thing in the morning.  So, I usually start tackling various tasks that need doing and then find myself spaced out and famished mid-morning.

Determined to start my week off right, I promised myself a nice breakfast.  I mindfully stocked my pantry with tempting foods.  I scheduled my day such that I had time for breakfast.  I took care washing and slicing up the fruit.  I made sure my water had plenty of ice— a small matter, but pleasing.  And instead of taking my meal to the computer, where I would eat it while browsing online, I took it into another, non-work related room, and sat on the floor.

Then I turned off my brain and proceeded to have a thoughtless breakfast.

The thoughtless breakfast

It was lovely.  Any time my mind wandered away, I corralled it back gently.  I gazed out the window.  I thought about this post.  I took a few pictures for posterity.

The whole thing took maybe twenty minutes.  Yet it felt much longer—it felt like I had been given a long and lovely break.

I even found a smile in my fruit.  (Can you see it?)  It was unexpected, finding Buddha at the breakfast table, but there you go.

It occurred to me that I might consider other aspects of my day—stuff I have to do—and that maybe I could infuse those activities with love and care, too.  Here’s what I learned.

Can you find the smile?

Gentle goes everywhere

Stuff generally seems to go better when we slow down and are mindful.

Food tastes better.  Soapy dishes aren’t such a hassle when we take time to enjoy the warm water on our hands.  Moisturizer smells sweet and feels nice.  The sky’s mighty blue today.

There’s good all around.  We just have to remember to let it in—and that’s hard to do when we’re hunched under the tyranny of a dozen deadlines or self-criticism.

Short is sweet

So, the next time someone suggests you take a vacation or a lunch break and you think, “I don’t have time for it,” think of this:  Yes, you do.  You have time to be nice to yourself.  And it doesn’t mean you have to blow tons of money.  Short can be sweet.

If you need some ideas for simple ways to be good to yourself, I’ve got a handful here and here.  I even learned about a new one today:  find a few trees and go forest-bathing.

In the meantime, I’m wishing you many simple and sweet breakfasts.  Let me know if you find the Buddha at your table.

PS:  I added pictures to today’s post—did you like them?  Please share your thoughts below.