Home

OPINION: Time to cherish the little things that sweeten life

Derek GoforthMidwest Times
Small things can delight us.
Camera IconSmall things can delight us. Credit: Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

Let’s face it, no one on this planet has had what we would call a good year so far.

It has thrown curve ball after curve ball across the globe.

Just when we think we are over the worst of it, along comes another disaster, epidemic or emergency.

Yes, we in WA have been lucky compared to the Eastern States and the rest of the world, but we have not been immune to the impact.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

At times like this it’s even more important to take stock of our lives and look at how we are blessed, not just as a nation but as individuals.

It’s a good time to look at the little things in life.

For each of us, the list of small things will be radically different. I would be keen to hear your list of little things that keep you going.

For what it’s worth, here is mine:

* My Saturday morning coffee at a local shopping centre cafe.

It has very nice coffee, but the reason this is so significant to me is this is my time with my daughter.

Every week for a few years now my girl and I have had a casual wander around the shops and ended our trip with a coffee and a cake.

* My morning shower. It reminds me how blessed I am to be a homeowner.

Yes, I know showers are pretty much standard in all houses but I think mine is quite special. We have great water pressure and our solar panels heat with the power of the sun.

The reason I love my shower more than most is because it signifies the end of my CrossFit workout. It’s kind of my reward for a job well done, it’s a time just with my thoughts, just me and the sound of fast running water.

* I could list a lot of big things — my job, my country, my family — but this is a list of the smaller things in life. My last one doesn’t get much smaller — my phone. How lucky are we to have such advanced technology at our fingertips? We have a computer, a camera, a satellite navigator, a library and a music station just in our pocket. The reason I love mine so much is it allows me to capture so many candid moments, so many family times, and just allows me to snap away without thinking about what to do with my camera afterwards.

My list could go on and on, but I would not want to bore you. I hope you agree though, when we are stressed, when we are under pressure, it’s the smaller things in life that can offer us comfort and bring us up again.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails