Breathing in little moments @ Saver Queen

Breathing in little moments

Posted on March 8th, 2011 Saver Queen 5 comments

Last Friday I had sushi with my dad while in Toronto. We ate while sitting next to another father-daughter pair. The daughter looked to be about 8 or 9 years old. I could overhear most of their conversation, some of which had to do with making weekend plans together. “We could make a pizza together,” the dad suggested, and explained how they could together prepare a pizza and choose the toppings. He spent some time coming up with various ideas that might be fun ways for them to spend time together. I was touched to see a dad spend his Friday night with his young daughter, enjoying some sushi and thinking earnestly about other activities that might be fun for his daughter.

In my field of work there is a lot of sadness and a lot of awareness and attention on human rights abuses and struggles – sociologically, legally, politically and personally. A great deal of my time is spent thinking about how I can address and work to overcome these challenges in small ways. So it is very good, but often involves an energy that is borne from a sense of injustice, involving anger or indignation. Even those who don’t work in such a field can probably understand; most of us spend a lot of our time focusing on problems.

That’s why, when I see something beautiful, something touching, I breathe it in. I savour it. Seeing human kindness is one of the things that touches me the most. Whatever challenges that little girl has in her life, she will remember Friday night sushi dinners with her dad, making pizzas together and other weekend activities. She will have grown up with a dad who wanted to spend time with her. Those little moments will probably provide retrospective joy when she is an adult.

It’s so important that we capture and relish small moments of beauty and compassion in our lives. It’s what makes life so rich.

5 responses to “Breathing in little moments”

psychsarah March 9th, 2011 at 12:41

I just smiled and nodded throughout. It’s great to keep your ears and eyes open for these moments-they can happen when you least expect it. It also made me think of fondly of when my dad and I had dinner dates when I was a kid.
Saver Queen March 9th, 2011 at 18:09

Thanks Sarah! That’s so cute about the dinner dates with your dad. Those simple memories go so far.

I think if we aren’t open to these little moments, we miss out so much. I know you can probably relate in terms of your career being centred a lot around loss, and so it’s extra important, i think, for us to find a balance by being open and present to the joyous, renewing kind of moments.
Catherine March 12th, 2011 at 15:10

Welcome home SQ! Glad you had a super time with your sister in Hawaii. And, am glad you are home before the tsunami hit Hawaii!
Loved the story about the father and daughter.
I admit that I listen to conversations around me. Facinating stuff sometimes.
Reminded me of a story my DH told me. He was in Toronto on business and dining alone. A young couple were nearby and they were trying to figure out what they could have off the menu that didn’t cost too much (they were celebrating their anniversary)
He finished his meal and on his way out had a bottle of wine delivered to their table and gave the restaurant $50. towards for their meal and tip.
Gosh I love my DH!
Girl Makes Cents March 13th, 2011 at 15:47

Awww loved this! So true! Catherine I liked your story too. Feels good to give and such a nice surprise for the one receiving as well.
Saver Queen March 15th, 2011 at 22:30

Catherine, I loved your story. Sooo nice to hear some positive, happy stories like that.

Glad you also liked the post, @GMC!