In our world, it is common for us to appreciate almost exclusively the ‘big ticket’ items in life – the new job, house or car, the unanticipated windfall, the volunteers who help out in a disaster, the player who scores the winning goal for the team. It is, in my experience at least, rare for us to appreciate what we deem as insignificant or mundane events like enjoying a lovely meal or just a cup of herbal tea, for example. Such moments are relegated to the status of being merely incidental and instrumental in our pursuit of the big-ticket items.
Even rarer is it for us to appreciate qualities, those of others and ourselves, the exceptions involving social rituals like death, marriage, and graduation. Rather, our focus tends to be more on achievements and material acquisitions.
I’ve been observing how this sets us up with a continuum of progression for appreciation, with qualities per se receiving little or none, treat-like items and events receive a modicum and, as noted above, the big-ticket items take the lion’s share. We eke out our natural appreciation like a miser would his gold and force ourselves into habits of utilising appreciation like a non-renewable resource, using it minimalistically and idealistically as a means of confirming when an inner picture, goal, wish, dream or aspiration has been reached – seeing it as the full stop at the end of a sentence or the tick in the ‘done’ box.
Along with millions of other people, much of my life has been focussed on unfolding a spiritual, and latterly, a Soulful path. On these paths there has been, until recently, a similar tendency to appreciate only the ‘bigger,’ more advanced or perceived-as-being-more-Divine qualities and for ‘a limited time only,’ as the TV ads would say. On the spiritual paths I pursued, there was a belief in true divinity occurring only after death – hence no need to appreciate this life: and on the beginning Soulful path I noted a tendency to appreciate only the absolutes, e.g. absolute Joy or absolute Stillness. Such occasions were rare so what do we do with our appreciation the rest of the time? Are we then repeating the pattern of appreciation being exclusive and only for ‘special occasions?’ If so, how do we redress the matter?
Is it possible that we can bring the magic of our Soul’s presence to any and all mundane tasks through the choice of such inner connection? Could holding the awareness of our inner quality as we move through life, appreciating its effects on the smallest of details, be a way to bring our innate magic to the long overlooked mundane tasks of life? Can the mundane be blessed by the livingness of our loveliness, our joy or our stillness?
How would this look and feel on a daily basis?
Observation and experience have indicated that externally things look almost the same except that there is a notable absence of drive or disregard in one’s actions and movements, which have been replaced by a sense of solidness and grace. This can occur with just about anything – washing the dishes, setting the table, cleaning the house, walking in nature or to work. The possibilities are as wide and varied as life itself.
However, the real changes are felt on the inside and become visible through one’s connection with others and the outside world. When I am in appreciation of the flow of my movements and the inner warmth that accompanies this, I am also more open to looking deeply into the eyes of others and confirming our connection through a delicate smile or a subtle bow of the head.
At such times, I also delight in my surrounds – everything takes on the hue of beauty and wonder and I know that everything I touch feels the same loveliness as I feel within my body. Others will return my gaze in the same quality, again confirming our connection and equality by quality.
Here there is no continuum of importance, no big-ticket item to pursue, simply a warm meeting of loveliness gazing into the mirror of the loveliness of another and the mutual acceptance of that quality within each.
I find a deeper awareness of the perfection of the timing of events; things flow unhurriedly and have a natural rhythm, very much like the subtle gentle breath that is felt and enjoyed at such times. Often there is a light breeze that delicately caresses the face and hands, an invitation to allow one’s breath to deepen in the same delicateness, as though Nature is responding to and confirming this quality also.
This all feels very normal and from the outside looks completely unremarkable.
On the inside there is the unfolding of the knowing that there can be divinity in the smallest detail of our lives, if we but allow the awareness, and then the appreciation, of our quality to unfold and bring its magic to the mundane. Under the blessing of this magic the mundane is transformed by the touch of the divine, with no magic wand required, but the simple grace of presence expressed through the quality inherent in one’s movements.
By Coleen
Related Reading:
What is the Science of Appreciation and how does it Evolve All of Our Relationships?
Trust and Appreciation
Appreciation of Life and Ourselves
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
It does seem true that the deeper I connect to myself, that is to my being and beingness, the more potential I have to connect to others and the deeper that connection can go with them.
Every detail in life deserves the fullness of our true quality brought to it.
I have introduced a beautiful new ritual into my bedtime preparations and that is to take the time, as long as is needed, to contemplate my day and to bring appreciation to all that has brought magic into my life: from the littlest thing to the biggest they all get a loving acknowledgment. Some nights when I struggle to recall many moments I realise it is not because there weren’t any, it was simply that I was not connected to myself as much I could have been throughout the day. I am really loving this way of ending my day and this is confirmed by a deep feeling of warmth that begins to flow through my body with each moment of appreciation.
Not only do we tend to appreciate the bigger things but we also tend to appreciate what is on the outside rather than what is within us. This leaves us constantly looking to improve the outside where as real change begins within and then the outer follows.
“Can the mundane be blessed by the livingness of our loveliness, our joy or our stillness?” The answer: Yes it can! I have found feeling the delicateness of my hands as I wash the dishes brings the most exquisite stillness, space and joy… and feeling how my ribs gently move when I breathe – no matter what I am doing – is like stillness in motion.
By ignoring the ‘mundane and just focusing on the ‘big ticket’ items of life as the only things to appreciate, we completely short change ourselves about the immense joy and pleasure we could be having in every moment and the inspiration of realising our every choice and every movement makes a profound difference.
Somebody said to me a few weeks ago that 95% of life is lived in the mundane. How necessary it is, not just important, therefore to appreciate the small things.
The smallest of tasks can be a pleasure to do when the purpose of it is a focus.
You know how much I love mundane things, like doing dishes, I love cleaning a whole stack of dishes, every time I feel so satisfied. My staff at work laugh at me because I love doing every different section at work. I have been doing hospitality since I was 17, they ask me, “Aren’t you sick of it by now?” I say. “I will never be sick of it” Why wouldn’t I relish it, there is so much joy in pouring a cup of coffee that someone will drink and a meal that someone will remember and washing a plate that someone will eat off. If we make everything in life about people, it’s easy to enjoy the mundane, for in truth nothing is mundane, it is all magical.
I love re-reading your blog Coleen, I feel so expansive after reading because I was connecting to the wisdom of what you’ve shared, it is magical.
When things seem to get a bit mundane, it is an opportunity to discover the magic in the detail… and then nothing can ever be mundane again …
I am learning that appreciation is so important in our lives. As I made a journey to London today – not my normal routine – I was deeply appreciating the time I had whilst on the trains to deeply appreciate me, rather than getting anxious about the time. Connecting with a few people and staying open, with smiles was so simple and easy. No rush required.
I keep coming back to this blog as there is so much to learn from it. To deepen ones appreciation is a continuous journey of enfoldment, that I am part of something colossal and as I feel this deepen in my body there is a settlement as this is what I have been trying to get back to for many life times. We are not separate at all but part of the universe no less no more.
Thank you Coleen, reading your words today I wonder if the appreciation we have for those ‘big ticket items’ is even it, or could it be more of a sort of gratitude? For what I get from all you say is appreciation is more of a constant ongoing way of saying ‘YES’ to life and everything that comes you way. Things may not be true or right but when you make life about light you can’t help but be open and transparent and appreciate that every single thing exists – for it all point us back to Love.
“The Magic of the Mundane – Appreciation is the Key” – over the weekend i cleared out and washed the floors of a dusty cramped closeted space and found myself appreciating not that i did what i did, but more so the clearer quality i felt inside not just the closet itself, but the entire living space and the spacious feeling inside my body. The laundry room is next ha ha.
I have been doing some major clearing out myself lately and the hugely liberating and spacious feeling that comes with it is priceless.
Our life is made up of much of the mundane so it makes sense to bring the divine to our every day, and as you say bless the mundane by our loveliness, our joy or our stillness.
Totally agree Kathleen. The joy of knowing that each movement we make can bring heaven to earth makes every task equal in its ability to express divinely.
Appreciating the magic in the mundane, our everyday lives, is the foundation of our relationship with life. If we have not established appreciation here then our outlook can be very dependent on what each day presents, rather than steady and consistent and founded in us.
There is no such thing as mundane when you remember and know who you are and live you in each moment. I am a work in progress in this but one thing I am sure of and that is nothing is ever really mundane anymore.
Often people will say they want their routine and mundane back when there has been something traumatic happened. The mundane is our everyday routine, but when we have a gorgeous rhythm with it, we can appreciate how lovely every day is with every new sunrise.
Coleen l keep coming back to this blog because for me there is a deeper meaning to what you have written and it is in the lack of appreciation we seem to have towards the magic of God. We have the big ticket moments such as the eclipse of the sun or moon, or a shower of shooting stars etc. But as you say the magic of God is in the detail of everything we do and this is what we seem to forget that the universe is with us all the time it has to be because we are living in it, not separated from it.
Feeling your essence (your innermost joy, love) and then letting your legs carry this bundle (body) of joy, love, exquisite quality of YOU, is all that it takes…. We walk everywhere, from cooking in our kitchen, house chores, with our partner’s, kids, shopping, out for a designated walk,… at anytime this innermost can be brought to everything we do.
My relationship with the every day repetitive actions that are part of daily life has been exposed more recently as we have a new puppy and there has been a 30 minute very repetitive cycle of eat, sleep and taking outside for a wee etc which has tested my appreciation of the mundane! However I can see the flow, quality and rythym that can be there no matter how repetitious life is and that getting frustrated or annoyed only degrades the quality of everything else I do in my day including my relationships.
It is very clear that we are conditioned to dislike the simple things in life, as, when little we are very content with the everyday little things in life. In fact that is life.
And really it is the every day little things that we do repeatedly which make up the majority of what we call life. The so called big wow and/or unusual or special events are actually a small proportion of our life. So I can see why it’s so important to register the quality of the every day tasks.
This is great to remember how every day life filled us with awe and wonder as children. And that therefore we have unlearnt, or been educated over, a life skill that is foundational for our wellbeing and mental health.
Bringing our Soul’s presence in my experience is very practical, for example, its about rolling those sleeves up and getting your hands dirty! Full commitment to whatever needs done on every moment.
it is lovely to become aware of what is happening all around us and within this attention to detail we can connect so much more with the subtlety and beauty and universality of everything
We often treat the mundane tasks as something we have to ‘get through’. But what if we were to actually enjoy them? Would this mean enjoying life?
Appreciation creates an environment that allows the space for growth.
Appreciation for me is in the space between what is often considered highlights. In this space is the foundation and quality the big things arise from, so their end quality is often derived from the starting point.
Imagine watching a foreign film with all the subtitles switched off. To me this is what it can be like living everyday life: Stressful, confusing and perplexing. You can interpret little bits but mostly it’s hard to penetrate and understand. Coming to comprehend that life is energetic and an outplay of multiple dimensions is like finding the button to turn the subtitle on. Suddenly you realise what is truly being communicated underneath the words you hear, and the true meaning in all the everyday tasks you do become clear. Thank God for seeing these deeper layers and not falling for the facile surface of life.
Over the last few days I’ve got a bit caught up, got sick and generally not felt like myself. It’s been great to appreciate that what is most important is how I feel in my body and whilst in the past the big ticket items would have been everything what today is most important is my connection and feeling of me, as I appreciate this then whatever is going on is equally special.
The mere fact that we place greater importance on acknowledging our own and other’s achievements highlights how we are missing the point in the first place, i.e. the quality of the being doing these achievements.
When we bring multidimensionality into all we do, we see the deeper beauty and magic in the everyday.
It is wonderful when we can appreciate the simplest things… At the moment I am in Germany, doing sessions, with a window that opens a view to some beautiful trees… It is just the start of autumn, and every now and then, a leaf floats down. Where I come from I don’t see this… The leaves tend to stay on the trees ☺. Each time I observed this wonderful graceful and beautiful dance of the leaf it leaves a sense of grace and beauty in my body.
Every breath and movement can feel deliciously divine, or it can be done in struggle and disconnection…it is up to us.
The simplest moments can touch us with the greatest magic with the quality we are in. A very loving sharing that allows the magic in everything to be appreciated beautifully
It makes absolute sense that the quality with which we approach things (activities, jobs, each other…) will be what decides how we feel doing them, which obviously then impacts the outcome and how others involved feel too. There is a simplicity and common sense here that is remarkable only because we do not seem to adopt it much.
Coleen, you are spot on with sharing how important appreciation is in every moment no matter how small or big something is. For example I would say it is fairly common to celebrate a person for their birthday and appreciate them then, but then the next day this fades away….Or it is quite common to appreciate a person after they have died, and feel they had so many qualities that we loved, and yet there is a feeling of not having shared this appreciation enough with the person. So what if we celebrated each other every day as if it was our birthday every day or as if they were to die the next day? I don’t mean to say we have to buy gifts and make a cake with candles every day, but I mean as Coleen has shared, deeply appreciate a person for who they are and the qualities that they bring – this will support them in embracing themselves and valuing themselves, and likewise it is such a beautiful thing to celebrate another as well as be celebrated! How different would our relationships be?
‘Is it possible that we can bring the magic of our Soul’s presence to any and all mundane tasks through the choice of such inner connection?’ When we are connected to our stillness mundane tasks no longer feel mundane as there is a flow and that alone brings us to a sense of joy within which is always there if we choose to connect to it.
It is definitely possible for us to bring “the magic of our Soul’s presence ” to everything that we do, by developing a relationship with quality first and foremost as then we know ourselves for who we are as true sons of God.
“Observation and experience have indicated that externally things look almost the same except that there is a notable absence of drive or disregard in one’s actions and movements, which have been replaced by a sense of solidness and grace.” This is becoming very familiar to my own experience too as I find myself remaining so much more steady than I used to when I am faced with a challenging situation that I would previously have had quite major a physical reaction to. I am appreciating this more and more and it feels quite incredible to not have these fluctuations occurring so frequently.
I have been really connecting to and enjoy what we might call the mundane things in life but actually when I allow myself to be with me it is the most wonderful feeling of me enjoying me. Which is something I never ever thought was possible. Bringing my body into stillness allows for the magic of this to happen. I could never do this before because my body was too racy and distracted.
Life takes on a whole new meaning when we appreciate the qualities that we can all bring.
The key is to recognise the value of the everyday, to notice how the quality of any action makes subsequent actions easier or harder and to notice the cumulative effect of this and how beneficial it can be.
If the small things fall away, life becomes a vacant space ready for any emotion of addiction to come a knockin’.
A great blog Coleen – particularly love your statement …”knowing that there can be divinity in the smallest detail of our lives, if we but allow the awareness, and then the appreciation, of our quality to unfold and bring its magic to the mundane…”
Most of us revolve life around big events and or food. But we end up missing out on the beauty that is in every moment when we are in anticipation of the next.
Yes. Living life with our attention constantly ahead of ourselves is very exhausting and dismissing of the opportunities and magic in the moment; bringing our absolute attention to each moment brings a quality to life that is very inspiring.
To experience joy in the day is to know beyond doubt that we are more than our physicality and function.
That is actually a good point, something much more than pleasure.
“When I am in appreciation of the flow of my movements and the inner warmth that accompanies this, I am also more open to looking deeply into the eyes of others and confirming our connection through a delicate smile or a subtle bow of the head.” I love what you are saying here. Allowing ourselves to connect with others opens us up to be able to express greater and greater love.
I’m starting to appreciate how when we don’t dismiss but appreciate how amazing we are by being All of who we are how incredible this actually is. Supporting our bodies to enhouse our Soulful beings.
Mundane can only be possible if we are functioning and not living.
The quality that we bring to every moment matters and does make a difference, whether we see it directly or not it can be felt and this to me is magic.
I have come down to the kitchen this morning and can really appreciate how beautifully the kitchen has been cleaned by my daughter who did the dishes last night. Now I need to work on feeling that appreciation when I do the dishes, because its my least favourite household job.
Without appreciation, mundanity thrives.
Appreciation is a continuum that confirms us and deepens evermore. Doing it in zig-zag fashion where only the big ticket items count does not have the same building quality; it leaves us empty and hankering for more.
When we surrender to the joy of our movements we have the opportunity to appreciate the fine details of every moment. What then unfolds from the expansion offered is more space to grow and learn, letting the rhythm of the body to the speak volumes for our lives.
If we are truly feeling the moment that presents itself, nothing is ever mundane. Instead, it is either healing or harming.
It is worth considering astutely whether we appreciate only the doing and achieving of an end result of another or whether we stop and deeply appreciate the lived quality of ourselves and another?
A mundane moment experienced this morning, as something grand and new-normal – simply feeling the grace expanding in my arm and throughout my body, when being deeply aware of the movement as I opened a cupboard door to remove an item.
Although moving at a normal pace this felt like a delicateness in slow motion.
When we start to appreciate the mundane then we really start to live and the mundane is no longer mundane! thats certainly been my experience, as I walked down a hallway and felt the difference I brought to life today literally a light came on, not from sensor or anything else but it was the brighten light there.. it made me smile as I was simply walking and appreciating not doing anything that I would have called “spectacular”
“Even rarer is it for us to appreciate qualities, those of others and ourselves, the exceptions involving social rituals like death, marriage, and graduation. Rather, our focus tends to be more on achievements and material acquisitions.” Its so true. But there is so much for us to appreciate about ourselves and each other even in the smallest of details. Appreciation for any change we have made in our lives that supports us to be more of who we are, whether that is for ourselves or for or from another, when graciously accepted and felt always supports us to deepen our relationship with who we are.
When we appreciate the (apparent) smaller details or the ordinary, we can then stop and look back at how far we have come and appreciate the bigger picture and all the choices we have made to get to that point. If not we don’t see what has lead us to that and think that life is just happening to us, which it isn’t.
I am starting to realise just how very little we as humanity appreciate, even the simple mundane things. And I am far far more aware how appreciation is a simple movement that comes from within. It is a very important foundation for our being so if we are not appreciating then how is our foundation for which we are living and what is this built on? To me the current state of the world says it all.
‘Mundane’ for some may be seem boring, but to others it may be simplicity, uncomplicated and a steady way to live.
I was talking to a Bio Mechanic on the bus recently and he was telling me how he went to Vietnam on business and once outside the big cities it was very noticeable that people lived very simple lives. Is it possible that actually those people out in the rice fields are more content than our Western society, is it possible that we don’t have the answers because if we had why is it illness and disease is so out of control? May be we should be looking at their simple way of living and implementing that rather than always striving for better and bigger to the detriment of our health and wellbeing.
It makes me chuckle how the little things I used to take for granted can bring so much joy to life, sharing a joke with my husband, finding a feather in the bath, sharing a glance or a smile with a stranger, snuggling in a soft jumper or stroking the dog’s silky ears. Appreciating all these things in a typical day means we have no need for exciting far flung adventures, we have everything we need within us.
How could we possibly really enjoy the so called big moments if all the ‘little moments’ before have been dismissed, rushed through, possibly in anger, annoyance or ignorance of others.. We fool ourselves if we think life is about the big moments. Life is life, one big continuum and every moment builds the quality of the next. The less we dismiss one moment the fuller and richer our lives will become.
With our deeper awareness and magic that ensues all around us, has nothing to compare to anything outside of us that we have chased in the past.
The joy that can be found in appreciating all there is to appreciate in the seemingly ‘mundane’ cannot be denied. Thank you Coleen.
‘In our world, it is common for us to appreciate almost exclusively the ‘big ticket’ items in life’ – While we are busy chasing the big stuff we are completely missing out on the real gold that is there to be found in the details.
The beauty of this appreciation of the simplest things in life is pure magic and allows a real love and joy in our lives in the moments and a real appreciation of everything and who we are.
Nothing is mundane we are forever communicating in every second we can be receiving so much, we just need to be open.
When we allow ourselves to be bored, or to find life un-stimulating or bland in any way, it is for me a sure sign of a disconnection from our essence….for when connected to the essence everything in life comes alive and there is so much to feel, to sense and to learn to accept and to appreciate. One of the challenges in today’s life though is that with the modern increase in use of technology and screen time and the extra stimulation and enhanced colour and other effects, this can cloud our vision of our ‘natural’ world and blind us to the beauty that lies there for us to see – hence making us think that things are mundane or boring. So it is for us to allow ourselves to see what is there to see.
Thank you Coleen for the reminder of how the simple things in life are to be deeply appreciated too – after all this is the magic that we can then live with all day long allowing the mundane to not be so mundane after all!
Mundane feels to me like it comes with a ‘don’t care bear’ attitude. As if the task deserves to be treated as less in some way. But when connected to my essence nothing deserves to be less as there can be a lot of joy and fun in the basics of human life.
Exactly – sometimes I am quite surpised at how much joy can be found in the ‘mundane’, key is to not override it and get caught in the stresses of life, but make every day special, a celebration in itself.
To see and allow the grandness in the details is what will make magic unfold in our day to day living.
When you start to recognise and appreciate the immense intelligence, harmony, order and grace within which every aspect of life takes place, regardless of whether that aspect is agreeable to you or not, it starts to become clear that that there is nothing in life that is actually mundane.
Mundane is like the word bored. How can we ever truly be bored when there is so much to read and see in every moment?
I absolutely agree with what you say here Vicky saying we are bored is an insult to nature and beyond.
Exactly Kevmchardy. Being bored with the divine order and intelligence of the Universe is actually impossible.
‘the real changes are felt on the inside’ – this is so very true and we realize that the richness we so often and desperately seek outside of us in the manner of money and possessions is no match for the richness of a life lived from the essence within. When we choose to live from this quality everything we touch and do turns to gold.
I love what you’ve mentioned about appreciating only the player who scores the goal – what if we were to celebrate the details of every player’s role in the team? Each kick, pass and lesson learnt? This applies to everything; no matter what cards are dealt, anything is possible and there is a wealth of things you can do with any hand.
A very wise person has mentioned on many occasions that it’s the small parts of our lives that are key to bringing quality to the rest or our day, like taking the rubbish out, cleaning our teeth or cooking. I have often dismissed these in the urge of getting them done, but am slowly cottoning on to the fact that when I do these tasks in a quality there is a flow and a support to holding a quality at work!
To bring appreciation into the smallest of details of our life is the way to bring back that awesomeness we all equally hold in our bodies no matter how delicate and tender or hard and tough we might look from the outside.
As a carer, every aspect of my work is valued equally. To consider some as more mundane than others and treat them differently, discredits the client and affects the quality of work. To love every aspect of the role, regardless, supports the client fully and work becomes effortless.
I am still learning the enormity of presence in movement and how it affects every movement thereafter.
So true Abby, and I find it is when I am observing, connecting and sharing with people in appreciation that these moments are simply magical.
When I move in appreciation everything I do is effortless, my thoughts are more connected to what I am doing and the movements of my body. Time seems to elongate and I feel more spacious, still and joyful.
I’m not sure if it falls into the mundane category but I love ironing my shirts. I really appreciation the rhythm I find when I am doing this and the opportunity to imprint my day with the precision, attention to details, ritual and order that is found in simply ironing my shirt.
I have the same with folding laundry. It feels lovely to bring that level of care and order into my life. Or cleaning the fridge or oven as when it’s complete I feel the spaciousness within me equally so.
It’s worth taking the time to enjoy our movements, no matter what we are doing. If we rush over them we do not have time to appreciate, and our life feels meaningless. When we focus on the beauty of the moment our life is full of beauty.
I do agree with what you share Rebecca, life indeed can feel meaningless if we do not appreciate life and ourselves for everything that it has on offer for us in our return back to Soul.
“…Could holding the awareness of our inner quality as we move through life, appreciating its effects on the smallest of details, be a way to bring our innate magic to the long overlooked mundane tasks of life?…” Having a relationship with awareness is key in feeling the magic in every moment. With awareness, nothing is mundane.
Appreciating our movements that are in the flow of life allows us to confirm that connection to who we truly are.
I was once having a conversation with an amazing friend about appreciation and they posed a great question to me – what if appreciation isn’t thinking about the fact you are good at something or that you’ve done something well, but it’s in your movements, in the way you make the bed, cook your meals etc. Mind blown.
This is a good blog for me to read right now for I am about to embark on about two months of picking up leaves all day on a daily basis, yay for me!
The other day a person came to me and in their joyful appreciation for me said the next time we met they wanted to give me some flowers.. and immediately i brushed it off down playing it into “oh nooo is ok”. But what it shows is how much that comment translated into ‘oh nooo, i’m really not worth it, not to bother’ and also how frequently it is that we don’t allow others the space to appreciate us in the way they feel compelled to, in this case flowers. That we quell and quash a person’s joy of us in a flash…I saw here that to so quickly dismiss someone’s loving sentiments reflects how quickly I can dismiss what is deserving of full appreciation: myself. Self-appreciation.
These days the mundaneness feels so disturbing and absolutely yes a big wake up call that I am out of my connection.
When we are in connection with the rhythm of our movements we begin to uncover and confirm who we are and from this appreciation we begin to see the world open up in so many ways because we are opening up to who we are in essence and that then confirms all we cross paths with. I find the appreciation becomes effortless when we confirm and enjoy the rhythm of our fine movements everyday in every moment.
Every moment counts- my it be a “positive” or a “negative” – may it be a look in the eye of the jobowner, where you pay or into your partners eyes. If you know, what you bring to this world there is no such thing as mundane…
Absolutely Coleen, when we come to the truth of what the world is truly about, it’s like we go ‘oh that’s nice’ but just continue to live in much the same way. Our addiction to banality and a reduced version of who we are is extremely engrained. It is beautiful and great for our health to finally begin to grasp that every moment, every day, every place is there to teach and show us so much. Its all full of the magic of God if only we are able to stop and see.
If we appreciate the effect we have on all and everything by the way that we express in whatever it is that we are doing then every moment becomes equally precious and worthy of being committed to in full.
Relying on achievements to give us a sense of satisfaction or fulfilment is a never ending path. Rather there is an alternative where we can confirm and appreciate ourselves just for who we are and deepen in that connection.
While the world is competing with itself to make everything flashier, more exciting, with more superficial colour and shine, the loving touch of tender fingers that grace the simplest movement, task or gesture, brings the utter joy of our relationship with Divinity into everything.
Appreciation is everything and appreciation of everything, down to the smallest detail, opens us up for more and supports evolution, i.e. returning to who we already are.
You could say that life is mostly made up of mundane moments. But they are only mundane when we lack presence. If we give our all to every moment, or best there of, how can anything be mundane? It contains us.
I do really appreciate Serge Benhayon and the Ageless Wisdom Teachings he brings through because it is through him and the teachings that I have grown up knowing how important appreciation is and it does not feel normal to me to just appreciate the big things. Even though I am not perfect and I can feel from your blog that there is definitely more to deepen in my appreciation. It is pretty awesome to know the importance and healing quality of appreciation in our lives and it is only with Serge Benhayon sharing that I have come to know this.
I think this is a key to being able to really embrace life and see the purpose of everything. If we are constantly waiting for someone or something big to happen we simply miss everything that is right in front of us.
It is incredible to let magic infuse our daily tasks and activities… the difference it makes when I do it is extraordinary.
I know when I am finding the so called mundane every day activities pedestrian or even frustrating, it is a give away that somewhere along the line I have disconnected from me and therefore my quality of presence has dropped or maybe I have reacted to something and am still feeling funny. It is a good sign to stop and reconnect before carrying on any further otherwise it tends to snowball!
I have found appreciation opens life up in ways not imagined, there is such a joy, openness and easy flow in all that is done. When I stop appreciating it is like I have closed the door on something amazing, yet it only takes a moment to change my choice and movements to appreciation again and for the door to re-open.
‘Magic’ and ‘mundane’. They are not usually words that people would put together. Usually we would not expect to find magic in the mundane. But this is actually where the magic is if we are open to it. It’s in the attention to detail, the care, the appreciation, the enjoyment of doing something well and with purpose. It’s also in the quality in which we move. It’s actually everywhere if we care to look.
I like to come back to read this blog as a reminder to not dismiss the small things in life that we do almost by rote and that leaves no room for appreciation. If I slow myself down by giving myself space in the day then I allow myself awareness and this allows me to fully appreciate the small things in life that are just as important as the big things. I am deepening my appreciation of the most amazing and wonder-full life I lead.
I thought in my 30’s I would end up in a mental hospital by the time I got to my 50’s and here I am living the most full and glorious life in my 60’s to get to this stage in my life I have worked hard on myself and have had the full support of Universal Medicine and the workshops and modalities that have been on offer.
Appreciation allows us to see and feel the beauty in simplicity, and the majesty in all of life.
Yes to appreciation – it costs nothing and opens up a whole new relationship with life
All my life I wondered what ‘personal development’ or similar words actually meant. A big part of the answer turned out to be how we live our day-to-day life, in what quality, then has a big influence on our development. It was an uncomfortable message as it would be easier to make an effort every once in a while but that doesn’t work
A moment of appreciation is like a breath of fresh air, appreciation is the same quality, it does not matter what it is we’re appreciating, because its not about the what but the quality. How can life then be mundane when in each moment we bring the quality of appreciation.
Mmmm I may spend the whole day today appreciating and then appreciate the whole day i lived, appreciating.
Yes what a great exercise to spend a day in appreciation for all we are and all that we are continually showered with. I like it; we can live in appreciation 24/7.
Every detail of life matters and even moreso how we are in each moment. In appreciation we begin to see the rich tapestry that life is from the tiniest and seemingly most insignificant moment to ‘big ticket’ moments and see that there is no such thing as insignificant.
When we move with purpose everything falls into place – there is a flow that brings to us everything we need to carry out each task that day – magic happens.
Bringing the magic of the soul in to every day life is very possible, it is a choice and a practice but even replacing the loo roll, hoovering etc can hold magic, it is all in how you do it.
Yes, in how you move. Amazing that something this simple can have such a large effect.
To deeply feel the appreciation of small and big choices in the body is key to growth and acceptance, which leads to responsibility and commitment.
To be more aware of the movement of the body in solidness and grace is exquisite to feel and any push, rush or drive is instantly felt from thereon.
“Observation and experience have indicated that externally things look almost the same except that there is a notable absence of drive or disregard in one’s actions and movements, which have been replaced by a sense of solidness and grace”.
What a gorgeous reminder to bring the magic of the Soul’s presence to our everyday activities.Thank you Coleen.
Doing the daily jobs with a sense of solidness and grace. I love how that feels Coleen, there is a huge difference doing anything and everything with our connection to ourselves. Then everything is done in appreciation, there is nothing mundane about that at all.
Living with a connection to true purpose leaves no gaps for feeling mundane.
It is interesting to appreciate how things that used to seem mundane, no longer are, as a result of making different choices in how I take care of my self in my day to day life and consequently with everything that I do.
I like looking at the spiritual path in this way, with it being a continuation of the search for achievable goals, because this helps me to make sense of why even after a heightened spiritual experience I could still feel empty or lost, which I now understand is because there is nothing so fulfilling as the steadiness of everyday living with the oneself in an unfolding journey with the soul.
Appreciation opens up a whole new world of wonders, and nothing can be described as mundane.
I have always appreciated nature and the magic it offers – but housework – now that was something I did because I had to if I didn’t want to live in a dirty home. After being part of an appreciation thread I soon realised that everything in life offers us an opportunity to change – each little detail can be appreciated for what it is offering and when we walk through life with an open heart we realise that there is wonderment in every moment.
The word mundane belies the fact that there is beauty in every moment when you are with your own soul.
Great blog, and I agree, the mundane doesn’t become mundane when you bring the exquisite quality of your essence to whatever you do… the ordinary then becomes the extraordinary
It is so worthwhile to put attention to the little things in life, as every small act we do contributes to the next move we are going to make.
Agree we can bring the magic into every moment as every moment is magical if we so choose it to be. No moment is mundane when we are fully present and aligned to our soul.
It can be so easy to be resentful of carrying out mundane tasks, but feeling the purpose behind them, and appreciating every little moment, creates the quality of the bigger moments. Then it makes it so worthwhile to build the quality of the smaller moments.
The appreciation and magic of every moment is something that we can truly feel from the quality of our presence in ourselves and being all we are and the so called mundaneness of life is no longer mundane but glows magically from within.
Someone recently told me that they had been so busy for their whole adult life frantically pleasing everybody in order to feel worthy, that they only now had the experience of ‘looking up and smelling the roses’ so to speak. She felt such appreciation for the little things; colours, smells, having a bath etc, but I know the greatest joy for her was simply in having the space to connect more deeply to herself.
I often really appreciate those moments in my day when everything comes to a standstill and I can rest and just sit with me and connect with my body. There is nothing actually happening in these moments for I am not doing or achieving anything to the outside onlooker, however the connection and stillness I feel in these moments is beautiful and priceless.
These moments that you describe Andrew are the gold that Coleen writes about, not squandering the moments to stop, connect and appreciate the inner loveliness.
Absolutely!… and when I wrote this comment I realised I need to have more of these moments, even if they are only short they can be very powerful.
Nothing feels mundane when we connect to true purpose and move with joy.
I used to absolutely be one who would seek rewards, expensive meals out, holidays etc…And now I can get way, way more joy from the most simple of simple things – and then can’t help but smile to myself at how these are almost always cheap and free pleasures; compared to the money I would spend on rewarding myself, it’s amazing! Can you imagine what would happen to all those industries that supplied ‘rewards’ (holidays, posh restaurants, crazy expensive fashion…) if we all started appreciating the mundane?
I can relate to what you say Otto, when we are connected and appreciating what is at ‘home’ within the body there is not the need or drive to go in search of a reward. The experience and purpose shifts.
You have focussed this beautifully Victoria as the greatest reward is to really feel the body. I have had so many hundreds of supposedly “amazing experiences” (holidays, events, parties, adrenaline rushes, meetings…) that have all left me feeling completely empty….
If you categorise, sleeping, walking, driving, eating, daily chores as all ‘mundane’; well, that is at least half our our lives…so if we are not appreciating those, then… no wonder, we crave relief, rewards, a drink at the end of the day and holidays.
Very true, Otto. Every breath and step can be delicious…
There is nothing mundane when we bring all of us to everything we do.
The mundane is an absolute key to life. It allows us to recover much more quickly when we are emotionally affected and it gives us a base to return to. Personal evolution in my experience is what we do with the mundane and not the exciting, the extraordinary, the seemingly important.
I agree with this Christoph. Personally it is through focusing on the small and simple stuff that I have supported myself best.
I was the queen of wanting to experience the next big thing until I’ve come to appreciate it doesn’t matter what I do – working, walking, cooking, cleaning etc. – if I’m doing it with being fully present and feeling the beauty of being me.
So I can still catch myself wishing for better weather and more sunshine, a walk on a beautiful beach, but actually I’m just not appreciating me in those moments and wanting the outside world to give what I am not appreciating is already there within.
We have a choice in any one moment to see something as mundane for example, but then we have moved away from ourselves and are not in the joy of moving in our own love so of course something will not feel enjoyable because it is void of the very thing we are made of.
Do you think this is the reason why people say they dislike their job? I know it is the case for me when I find any task mundane, it is a reminder that I have disconnected from my body and divine purpose.
It is our innate godliness that transmutes the seemingly mundane back into the divinity from which it (we) separated from. We are not here in physical form to live life through functionality alone, but rather bring through this form the quality of the formlessness we are originally born from.
Absolutely Liane, we are more than fleshy temporal bodies, we are vessels for the multidimensionality of our nature, our divinity to flow through…. and this in the simplest movements of being.
We always look forward to holidays and ‘time off’ whilst the routine or ‘mundane’ everyday is looked down upon… but what if we have this all backwards? If 90% of our lives is the ‘mundane’ this should be where we appreciate, celebrate the most and then the quality of holidays etc. are guaranteed.. We can design our everyday rhythm to be this way, but it requires a change of attitude – are we not worth the effort to make our 90% amazing?
It truly is magic when we in-joy the mundane. We accept everyone equally that is felt and seen in others eyes, as you have said it is that connection with others that will never be mundane!
Reading the possibility that, ‘We eke out our natural appreciation like a miser would his gold and force ourselves into habits of utilising appreciation like a non-renewable resource’, was a stop moment for me, because I could feel that this is true, this is what we do, so then I had to ponder on where such a habit would come from? It’s as though our focus has become so narrow in the way we live life that we have forgotten how to appreciate what is naturally all around us the magic of God, it’s as though this is not enough we want more in the way of stimulation to feel we are alive.
The title of the article alone starts to turn the tide on the way we grade certain activities over others. ‘The magic of the mundane’ brings my attention to those in-between moments when, depending on the quality I bring to a task, I can definitely be in heaven washing up!
Life mostly consists of in-between moments in my experience and, yes, they are vastly important and valuable and can be very enjoyable.
It’s when we truly pay attention to the details that are making up our day, that we begin to realise the magic of life.
So interesting to read this now as earlier today I was thinking about how I can bring appreciation to those tasks that I don’t always look forward to. This article here is so true and a lovely confirmation of what I was looking to work on.
Every task is an opportunity to bring our all and appreciate that we can move in and with Divinity – certainly not boring, in fact super inspiring!
I never realised just how powerful appreciation is until introduced to the importance of it through Universal Medicine and then having experienced just how appreciation grows the value of yourself and others I have realised how this appreciative focus on evolving moments or the reading of the smallest of details highlights and bring to the fore what could have otherwise gone unnoticed and undervalued or worse missed altogether.
Unfortunately, most people grow up with the misleading notion of what appreciation is – making it about something that is external and tangible and never truly connecting to it as a vibration within ourselves and feeling it in the quality of our movements. As it is only then that we can confirm that which is our natural right as true sons of God.
With every discussion about appreciation I get to feel more deeply the fact that it is a heart word, a heart quality, and that letting ourselves explore and experience this is an ongoing unfolding that enhances life beyond measure.
Appreciation is a way of being that we need to embody as a natural way of life. If we are not filling our self up with appreciation what energy are we filling the empty spaces with?
It truly is a joy to be in life and doing what is needed from this place of settledness and light.
In those moments of appreciation we have everything we could ever need and the drive for owning external objects pails into insignificance. Appreciation has the ability to open up a whole new world of wonder and put life into perspective.
I completely agree, Alex. In truth we can all feel the moment we loose connection to the vastness of love that resides innately within us.
I love this sentence, Coleen – “This all feels very normal and from the outside looks completely unremarkable.” When I am walking to work, I often feel so much joy and connection inside that I smile at the people I pass (they may think I’m a bit weird!), and carry on with my heart wide open looking completely unremarkable.
Thank you Coleen – while it can be tempting to think things just occur ‘out of the blue’ it’s simply not true. We are constantly investing our money in a bank either for Love or what’s not that. So when we finally get the goal or landmark we think is great it’s truly a moment to value every choice that we made to fill the love bank up. No more fairy god mothers or miracle events just choices that deliver our true deserts.
Awesome to bring such appreciation to everything that we do and to feel the quality that this brings through from us.
This is certainly something that I can relate to “On the inside there is the unfolding of the knowing that there can be divinity in the smallest detail of our lives, ” I appreciate much more the smaller details in life, this has enabled me to feel joyful more consistently. I know there is something going wrong if I do not feel joy now , I know there is something gone wonky and it comes back to noticing the details of life.
When we are appreciating the flow of life and how we are in our bodies, big ticket items are no more important than how you chop fish. It all comes back to how we are in each moment and that is where the appreciation lies.
Yup. A quality that continues to build and touch every area of our lives – I am loving this exploration and honouring of appreciation.
Yesterday I had a big revelation about something in my life. What I can feel when I sit with this blog is that there are two ways that I could go with this. 1 – I can spend time pondering the ramifications, freak out at how big it it and impose upon/pressure myself to make sure that I implement the changes that the revelation inspired, etc, etc. Or 2 – I can appreciate the moves that I made that brought about this revelation, appreciate the willingness that my body had to reveal this to me and appreciate that my soul has gifted me this valuable tool. Now, to prove my point of which is the more supportive path to go down, imagine if I were a child and I was spoken to in both of these two ways – which expression is more likely to make me step up to the plate and change the way I have been living? The power of appreciation.
I love your two options here Otto, it makes it so clear how we have made life a struggle by always aiming for perfection which has made us blind to all that we have and what is already. In your offering when we appreciate that what has brought us to new awareness, be it through a so called mistake or other movements, we allow for a learning to take place that then lets us move forward with less baggage and more clarity.
It’s the same with parenting (and in this I include parenting of myself – which is something that I have been completely re-learning and committing to). Do we criticise the small imperfections or praise, support and appreciate the far deeper well of glory that is already there (and thus perhaps we are not seeing it fully). It’s glass half empty or full. If we fill the glass, then it pushes out the other stuff.
Appreciation is is the fuel of true commitment. Without appreciation, then it feels like function and chores.
How true – and the difference between these alternatives is massive and hugely affecting not only ourselves but the world around us equally.
I have a very busy day ahead of me and have been wondering how I’m going to fit it all in. I’ve made a decision to not look at my clock and go with how the day flows. Reading this line inspired me – ‘I find a deeper awareness of the perfection of the timing of events; things flow unhurriedly and have a natural rhythm..’
Yes very inspiring, it is all about this natural rhythm, to surrender to and to appreciate without an attachment of getting everything done.
To appreciate that it is possible to bring a depth of love to the smallest of tasks, in the same way that we can bring that same love to something that we ‘love’ to do, brings a whole new level of appreciation and understanding to everything that we do, as we leave behind an imprint for everyone else to feel.
I like to come back and read this blog as it is my constant reminder to work on the in between space of how I go about my day. I am beginning to understand that the space in between has so much significance and for me I feel it is the answer to staying within my body and not checking out.
There are more in between space on our day than any other types of spaces – so it makes complete sense for us to bring our All to these.
I love what you say here, Coleen, about there being no big-ticket items to pursue in life, but an ever-deepening connection within ourselves and with every part of life. I used to always be seeking the ‘next big thing’, which I can see now was a distraction away from the power of simply living in my grandness.
Me too. The big ticket item is really the deepening of ones connection in the moment and feeling the exquisiteness of that. Something that has no end point really.
How different life feels when we transform the so called mundane into pockets of gold, rich with potential and learning.
Yes, Kehinde, I too have experienced there to be pockets of gold in life where we least expect it.
How often do we ‘stop and smell the roses’? …not often enough perhaps. There is great beauty in the simplicity of life that we often pass by without noting and likewise in each and every quality and movement that lives our day and we fail to appreciate the magnificence of.
Thank you Coleen for this beautiful reminder in the joy that can be found in appreciating everything in our day. As no matter what is happening every little thing presents as an opportunity to celebrate or learn.
And how amazing to have the view of being able to say that everything is something to celebrate especially our learnings.
By seeing and appreciating ‘the big’ that lives within ‘the small’, we eradicate the mundane by way of transmuting it back into the divinity it departed from when we left our true self out of the equation.
Yes, that reduces or eliminates our need for what is considered the non-mundane.
It is possible to live in such a way that for most of the day, if not all of it, we feel grace in the tiniest of our movements, the joy of each moment, no matter how small it has been. This is there for the taking for each of us and it comes from us being dedicated to deepening our inner most connection with who we truly are. But we have to knock out the notion that there will inevitably be parts of life and of the day that will be mundane and filled with undesirable chores. The moment we succumb to this, we’ve become mechanical and we lose connection. We lose the grace and the glory that otherwise is simply ours to rejoice in, every day.
Yes, I’m discovering what you’ve said is so true Katerina. The more willing I am to be present, to feel whatever is there to feel the more I stay present and nothing is ever mundane.
Appreciating the qualities that we ourselves and others bring to life is deeply enriching – it helps us to build on those qualities and to bring them out more.
There is always so much to appreciate so we must be making an active effort to NOT appreciate if we are not experiencing appreciation. Therefore perhaps we don’t need to make appreciation an active part of our lives but stop not appreciating all that is showered upon us which also includes those things which we don’t appreciate are lovingly there to evolve and teach us and not there to punish us!
I can’t think of a single thing in my life that is mundane – there is always so much to appreciate in each moment.
There is certainly nothing mundane when we are bringing our true quality to what is before us… for there is nothing mundane in magnificence and divinity.
Very beautiful Nicola. It really highlights that nothing can be mundane simply because we are doing it ourselves. I know that I am not mundane so the things I do. if I do them with feeling my gorgeousness then tasks cannot feel mundane at all but full of beauty.
True purpose obliterates mundane!
That’s it in a nutshell Nicola. As it has been described . . . nothing is nothing and everything is everything.
Yes I like that quote which I first heard from Serge Benhayon and which may sound simple but is actually very profound and true the more you understand and live it!
In striving to achieve we can miss the beauty of the people around us and definitely our own qualities. Sometimes I have been in such striving mode that I’ve even dismissed a person or even considered them a nuisance for slowing me down on my quest to achieve or get somewhere. This has felt so so ugly but something quite common when behind the wheel of a car. There is always something of great learning being reflected to us whether through a person in person or indirectly.
Coleen I really appreciate you writing this blog because it has helped me to appreciate the little things in life that matter because the little things make up the big things. If we just concentrate on the big things we leave a gap and this gap is when we check out from what we are doing.
There is a huge difference between the feeling that we ‘need’ to appreciate the big things that happen in our life like getting a car, celebrating our birthday or graduating for a study and appreciation for ourselves and every little thing we do. I find quality of both is very different in the former it is almost a distorted version of appreciating whilst when we appreciate ourselves and everything in life appreciation becomes more full and radiating if you understand what I am saying.
The flip of this blog is that as soon as anything feels mundane, then I know that I am not connected to my soul. A 24/7 marker – if we are prepared to be constantly aware and constantly honest.
Detail is such a support to me. I love it deeply, but often forgo it amongst the busyness of life. It is also an act of humility – trusting that God and my soul will take care of the big-ticket items.
Most of my life I was proud of “appreciating almost exclusively the ‘big ticket’ items in life”. I was targeting what I considered to be the more ‘divine qualities, so I considered this ‘better’ than those who targeted fame, popularity and physical items, so ironically this brought a level of arrogance and superiority which was quite opposite to those divine qualities.
Wonderful how this article highlights that we could be living in a way that does not isolate our relationship with the divine to ideals or to isolated moments. We could be recognising, feeling and appreciating the reflection of divinity in absolutely every aspect of life.
Intellectually it ‘s can be quite easy to accept that our body is a “vehicle” for the soul to be expressed through but on a practical level it’s a bit more tricky, at least that I how I find it. There are so many things that stops us from expressing soulfully and ridding ourselves from the energy that allows our soul to be expressed through our body is quite of a journey. Serge Benhayon is one that seems to have it all together and even though I dabble at times, what Serge presents, lives and offers I have no doubt that is the absolute truth.
Appreciating the divine in the ‘small things’ in life keeps God very real and present throughout our day.
Knowing that the magic of God can be felt through our movements it is possible to resist this by not taking care of our movements. I have experienced recently that I have not been appreciating what is available to me by simply moving in a way that is gentle and honouring. If the way that I move is the first thing I take care of, then every choice after that comes from this quality. This is a science that needs to be appreciated hugely.
Yes, Coleen, the real changes do take place on the inside, as we deepen our connection and surrender to being a part of a love that is so grand. And as you say, there is nothing remarkable about that on the outside, but so much joy and wonder occurring within.
I find when I appreciate it goes out to everything and mundane is just not there.
When we only focus on the big ticket items often we feel deflated and flat shortly after, and then looking for the next point of elation. Whereas when we appreciate the everyday ordinary things feeling amazing, life has a richness that the big ticket items cannot give us.
Without the ups and downs of excitements or dramas, life can appear to be mundane..but not when we appreciate how lovely it feels to be on an even keel, enjoying every little moment of our daily life. It is really worth celebrating the magic all around us.
Wow, ‘Is it possible that we can bring the magic of our Soul’s presence to any and all mundane tasks through the choice of such inner connection?’ so this really poses a question for us to consider at the start of every new day.
Without the ‘little things’ there would not be the ‘big things’. Appreciating the ‘little things’, the mundane, then all truly become one.
There is so much in this blog that I appreciate, so many little gems, but this line resonates with me today for the truth it delivers: “When I am in appreciation of the flow of my movements and the inner warmth that accompanies this, I am also more open to looking deeply into the eyes of others and confirming our connection through a delicate smile or a subtle bow of the head.”
What stands out with your blog and how I feel right now is the importance of being aware of the ‘mundane’ and deeply appreciating this, as we have a big day in court the question is what is most important and the reality is everything, from the way we communicate and connect with each other before the day to the way the door is opened – the case, the action is then the outplay of everything else.
We seem to overlook the “Magic of the Mundane” much to our detriment. Thank you for reminding me that there is much for me to appreciate and give thanks for in my life. This has occurred thanks to Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine.
The more I appreciate everyday life, take care of my body, love myself, love the people around me, the less I need the big wow factors that I have depended on in the past to make life feel exciting.
I love to appreciate appreciation. It really is a precious gift because when we appreciate we grow and expand!
It is so important to not see simplicity as meaningless for it allows the divine space to experience and appreciate more deeply the finer details that we take for granted. Everything no matter how small is to be celebrated and appreciated for they offer a reflection which heals and a confirmation of who we truly are.
You cant read a book by its cover and a horse of a different colour is the magic that awaits us when we appreciate ourselves and then how we see everything.
Before I was aware of the power of appreciation I did not like to repeat things like – every week I have to wash, to clean, to go for shopping . . . Since I have started to appreciate all of these things they are not boring and exhausting anymore. Instead I love to do them as I started to feel the flow inside of me. So I only can recommend to appreciate even the smallest and ordinary thing in life!
A life of true appreciation brings a richness and grandness to life that is us, being lived.
Every moment inextricably is connected to the whole and counts – we can never assume that any moment is less significant than another.
Keeping appreciation for special occasions – that is so relatable. Several years ago, I can’t remember the exact details of the subject but it was something/someone I totally despised at the time, and I very clearly remember the feeling of that moment – that there was a very clear pull-back in me that said ‘No, if I went and felt any deeper than this, everything would become love, and that’s boring’ and I felt the deliberate choice of leaving things half-bakes and indulging in the gap unfilled by love that was actually due.
This is so beautiful. I’ve allowed myself to measure my worth, my life’s worth and all of that in the ‘big tickets’, or even measuring how well I am doing by how much I think life is going my way, the way i want it to. Actually there is magic in every single moment, because each moment contains the universe as I do when I reconnect to the beauty I am within. I’m so noticing how I put measures and limits on life when really the space we live in is divine and all that is needed is already present.
This has been my habit too Karin, to put measures and limits on life, but also to limit how much I share myself, there is so much love I still hold back, and keeping it simple, all I have to do is get myself out of the way and allow the space for love to flow through me!
“Actually there is magic in every single moment, because each moment contains the universe as I do when I reconnect to the beauty I am within.” I love how you have expressed this, Karin. It captures so well the magic and the truth there is when we reconnect to our essence within.
It’s so true there are so many things everyday worth appreciating that we just take for granted – the small things, the things we do and can feel in our everyday like the delight in seeing a lovely flower or leaving our bedroom clean with everything in it’s place so that when we next go into that room it feels welcoming or the light reflecting back to us from someones eyes. When we appreciate the everyday things we don’t need to seek entertainment or some sort of highlight, to make it all seem worth it. In fact in appreciating the small everyday things we see, do and feel, everyday is a highlight.
I love it when you think you have a plan and along comes some changes and puts everything else on a different day, with different people and you find yourself being right in the right place at the right time. It is those moments where you really have to appreciate that there is more to life than control and manipulation and when we allow and go with the flow, miracles can and do happen.
Whatever the size of the item, it is the quality of our intention for having it that truly counts – is it for ‘me and mine’ or supporting service for all…
This is so true how often do we see the magic in the mundane and everyday things? And why do we not want to see the magic in the mundane and everyday things?
What we do on a daily, hourly basis sets us up for what we do when the stakes are high and how much we enjoy our life.
Recently I’ve found myself to be very crotchety with the world and it was only when I felt into how my body was feeling that I realised I had a mild but constant headache. I’m not quite sure what is causing it, whether it’s something I’ve eaten or a reaction to pollen in the air, but it has shown me the importance of feeling my body first and taking care to be more tender in my movements and in my expression to others.
“Is it possible that we can bring the magic of our Soul’s presence to any and all mundane tasks through the choice of such inner connection?” Absolutely Coleen, and these moments can be the most joyful yet truly simple moments, even down to one single action or move, that is done in absolute grace and love.
Expressing our appreciation can sometimes just be in the meeting of eyes and the love is felt.
I find when I feel a bit heavy in my thoughts, appreciation supports me to return to feeling lighter and more myself. Also from reconnecting to my body and being more present and appreciative of my movements.
That is true, your every day’s, every hour’s, every minute’s movements. Enjoying them is a key to our life.
Appreciating the details in even the most seemingly mundane of tasks is key to opening the door wider to appreciate everything and everyone and feel true joy.
Nothing as mundane as it might be can be the same when we choose to express with the quality of our soul. For it carries an imprint that is capable to inspire another to live all of who they are.
It is the appreciation and enjoyment of the simple things that gives a delicious evenness to life, rather than craving the highs and existing in drudgery between those points.
God is in the detail and this is why we need to appreciate the smallest of things that occur every day.
Oh the mundayne, and the fact that there is beauty in walking around in a house, in surrender and not in getting from A to B, but connecting to the delicacy, intimacy and spaciousness of this.
I appreciate your blog, Coleen, and I’m reminded that there is so much to appreciate in every second of our day. Just the act of walking in appreciation makes every moment special, even divine, and nothing is too mundane not to appreciate. Thank you.
What we yet need to understand is that the little things make up the big things. No one moment is a moment of its own it it is a moment of many that have been before and will be. This clearly shows that it is not about the moment as such but about the quality we chose to live in every moment, as that is what will be carried through every moment regardless of what is happening. And then we will realise that there is no such thing as big and small things, but that everything matters.
The other day I was picking basil leaves off the stalks, really enjoying myself and looking forward to the meal I was about to cook, when I saw a tiny green frog sitting on one of the basil leaves. This to me confirmed that magic happens when doing the seemingly ‘mundane’ chores when you are embracing and appreciating the task at hand.
I agree Doug, this is greatly put and it begs the question wether we truly appreciate if we are only out for the bigger, so called great and exciting moments in our life. It feels more that we are at a loss, chasing after something that can not be given to us from the outside and miss out on the richness and abundance in every moment that is always there but can only be seen from a place of inner contentment.
I love the way you take the mundaneness out of mundane. We can appreciate so much in the rhythm of our lives that bring a sparkle to the daily routine tasks and jobs, and the joy of every moment like this is so gorgeous.
Very beautiful isn’t Jill, to live this way but I find I often fall back to forgetting to appreciate things and myself throughout the day. I know it is a matter of choosing to be more aware and making the choice to appreciate as much as possible.
“Such occasions were rare so what do we do with our appreciation the rest of the time?” I like this question as it shows that we have learned to be selective with our appreciation instead of living it in the abundance that we naturally feel from inside.
“Even rarer is it for us to appreciate qualities, those of others and ourselves, the exceptions involving social rituals like death, marriage, and graduation. Rather, our focus tends to be more on achievements and material acquisitions.” This unfortunately is so true, we love our trophies and certificates to reflect our worth and what we are good at, and are happy to celebrate these things but never once seeing the person as amazing first and celebrating that.
This is really beautiful, Coleen. When we surrender to love, every moment is precious.
I had a lovely moment of connection with someone as I got out of a car yesterday, they were walking along the street, I felt it before I saw her, our eyes met and with no words spoken a beautiful smile was shared.
We tend to knock ourselves back and don’t fully appreciate everything we do even though there is much to appreciate
Is it fair to appreciate the ‘big stuff’; an award, new home, baby, raise etc. and ignore the little things that make up a greater proportion of our lives? The ‘magic of the mundane’, as you’ve shared Coleen, makes up the fibrils that join together an incredible and inspiring life.
I do wonder what it is about humanity that we don’t appreciate the small everyday stuff of life. There seems to be a huge dissatisfaction and instead of stopping to feel the dissatisfaction we distract ourselves by ingesting substances into our bodies that numb us so that we don’t get to feel what is really going on. It’s as though we don’t want to admit we have made a whopping mistake and so keep trying to cover up the lie we are all living.
I was in a workshop yesterday where the subject of appreciation was discussed in groups. One analogy used to express the importance of appreciation was that it is like having a wonderful garden full of beautiful plants and flowers…that need constant ‘appreciation’ of water, and being lovingly nurtured. Without water, they soon fade and die.
God is in the detail. One only has to stop and truly appreciate the beauty in nature to see that everything matters, has a purpose, forms an inextricable part of the whole. When we bring this appreciation to life, it transmutes our fundamental relationship with the simplest of tasks and everyone who performs them.
So true Rowena and beautifully expressed – i love noticing nature and the reflection offered ack to us by it constantly.
When purpose is found in the little things they don’t become mundane any more.
Yesterday we went for a walk, in that walk I moved in a different way to how I had been in the morning where I felt quite caught up, quite tight. The result my day, my night and how I felt in my body completely changed and in that I started to deeply appreciate the little things, the magic so to speak. Therefore what is clear is that we can’t force ourselves to appreciate but we can change how we move, walk or approach the day and naturally we get filled with appreciation should we be willing to be open to the beauty of the everyday things.
I love what you share about appreciating the small things. So much wisdom is in our every movement. It is so amazing to appreciate this and to take this away as something to observe – do I appreciate the little things and what ripple effect does that carry to others.
There is great joy to be found in anything we do and it all boils down to how consciously present we can be, I still struggle majorly with the consistency of this, which is mad because joy versus being checked out really is no contest.
Appreciation is the key to a deeper connection with oneself.
True appreciation brings a whole other dimension to life. It is magical as you say Coleen and is a constant reminder and confirmation that we are from something so much grander than the everyday life we settle for in it’s absence.
It is beautiful to pull back the veil in which we usually view life to reveal the divinity in the smallest and most mundane of things and moments all around us… something that bathes us in beauty and appreciation should we allow ourselves to surrender and see what is there.
It is often the considered ‘everyday things’ taken for granted which are overlooked … the colour in the sky at dawn or dusk, the scent from roses, a gentle breeze gracing your cheeks for example, that bring enormous appreciation, connection and confirmation to the body. And the cost is Observation and Awareness … priceless.
I love this Coleen – appreciation, appreciation and ever more deepening appreciation to the harmony in oneself and this naturally meet and greets others with the same intimacy, appreciation and respect.
“When I am in appreciation of the flow of my movements and the inner warmth that accompanies this, I am also more open to looking deeply into the eyes of others and confirming our connection through a delicate smile or a subtle bow of the head”.
What if in fact all the small moments add up to be far greater than what we perceive as the “big things”?
The more we appreciate ourselves, our lives and what is presented to us moment by moment, inspires us to appreciate even more, and to appreciate that too, and so on… there is no end to appreciation.
I read an article about a recent Women In Livingness event hosted by Natalie Benhayon and there was a quote by Natalie about that the most important moment is every moment. From this I expanded my appreciation and awareness about every moment as I realised how many of them I let pass me by.
So when I was hanging out the washing yesterday, I focussed on being super present, in that moment, feeling my body, appreciating my home, that I have clean clothes and a full body to stand and do this activity. And then I moved onto my next moment, staying as present as I could. It is a loving work in progress.
Appreciating the small details of life can be just as powerful, if not more powerful sometimes, than appreciating the ‘big ticket items’.
It’s crazy but true that we so often tend to see appreciation as ‘a non-renewable resource’ as if it is something that we take from outside rather than it coming from within and freely available to be liberally applied on every occasion.
There is so much to appreciate about the simple and ‘mundane’ things in our lives as these are the things that support us to then appreciate the bigger things that we do. Something as basic as cleaning up after ourselves opens the door for deeper appreciation of the bigger things that occur in life.
There is much to appreciate in the simpler activities of life as these can offer a very strong foundation to connect more deeply with ourselves. The bigger events can have a pull away from ourselves with the stimulation of an external excitement or recognition.
I love this sharing of what is so essential to our development because it helps us to see the magic and gold that is there for us in every moment.
I absolutely love to hear another find something to appreciate in what to me might have seemed like a ‘disaster’, I learn so much by having my attention brought to the small detail that I may so easily have over looked. There is always going to be divinity in the detail, it is simply up to us to be willing to clock it and appreciate it.
When we celebrate only the ‘big ticket’ items we rely on them to make life feel worthwhile. However, when we consistently appreciate the small everyday things we build a trust in life and when we experience unexpected challenges they are not so daunting or overwhelming as we have established this solid foundation.
Appreciating the ‘mundane’ things enriches our life and makes it fulfilling.
Knowing that …”… there can be divinity in the smallest detail of our lives…” ensures that no task or activity is mundane.!
Appreciation begins with ourselves and from here on, the magic will flow.
A lot of the tasks I do in life are quite mundane and if I couldn’t appreciate them there would be a large part of my life left without any appreciation at all and that just wouldn’t be right now would it?
We can be going through all sorts of tough situations but if we appreciate the fact that we are never given anything that we cannot handle we can approach the situation so very differently.
The value of Appreciation cannot be underestimated.
I find the more I appreciate the quality I am doing something in, the easier it is and I am more interested in completing every little detail – there is a joy in this and mundane is nowhere in sight!
The more we appreciate ourselves and others, the more we are graced by nature and by life around us.
Appreciation is huge and offers us a great foundation to always come back to even when we stray.
The Way of The Livingness has showed me a consistency to life that makes no moment at all mundane and instead a far greater love and joy just to be me! So much to love about life when you are connected with yourself.
Me too Joshua. The more I am with this the more I feel how simple just being me actually is and how many pictures I had attached to the roles in life.
And if I slip away from this sense of joy for life, it is then a moment of learning and reflection, which in itself is something to appreciate!
The fact that mundane or boring or the prospect of being bored is even a thing, to me, says we have strayed very very far from the Joy, wisdom and eternal relationship we have with space and everything within it… how can that possibly be boring!?
If we find the mundane boring and don’t see the magic in the finer detail we are in a way of being that needs stimulation. I know that if I can’t feel the magic in my movements or the simplest of task that I am off from my centre.
When we bring all that we are to whatever it is we are doing, it cannot be mundane. It has a richness to it like nothing else.
Absolutely – when we are in connection to ourselves, the smallest task becomes magnificent – how can it not be when we are bringing our grandness.
It’s so true. We forget to appreciate the things that are right under our noses. This makes us want to focus on bigger events in order to feel entertained and satisfied. But if we bring appreciation to everything we have and everything we do, every day and every moment is gorgeous and full of magic.
The attention and awareness we bring to the detail offers us so much to appreciate.
I have felt unsettled much of my life because I got a sense that there was more to know, more to feel, more to understand….”Along with millions of other people, much of my life has been focussed on unfolding a spiritual, and latterly, a Soulful path…” universallly we feel more than we see and touch physically, this awareness of feeling is energy, it is a big beautiful sign that we are more than physical form, we have a spirit and a soul. I also am returning to soul, living with the soul’s impulses as my foundation…and from this no more unsettlement as it was, yes tension to learn and work with but I know home, I know soul.
When I appreciate the little things, then my life comes alive, when I find the little things mundane then I start to ask, why? Often I find its because I am racing to the next thing and not allowing myself the space and ability to appreciate what is in front of me, in the moment.
My goodness, Colleen, just reading this blog i can feel the energy of gentleness and stillness and I feel how far off the mark I am, in my body, having had a difficult and very busy day being a waitress in a restaurant. It feels like a soothing balm for sore and tired limbs. Thank you.
The title pretty much says it all – when we are able to embody appreciation, we have so much more awareness of ourselves and the qualities we bring, and at the same time can appreciate the qualities that others bring too – as we all have equally beautiful qualities to share.
It’s been presented to me recently that maybe it’s the small moments that really count and the big moments are simply an end result of these – it makes sense our day is filled with thousands of small moments, how can we not consider all these small, amazing moments as important to the direction of our lives?
Beautiful Elizabeth – why wait to celebrate a few key moments, when you can appreciate every moment in between?
‘Here there is no continuum of importance, no big-ticket item to pursue, simply a warm meeting of loveliness gazing into the mirror of the loveliness of another and the mutual acceptance of that quality within each.’ I have noticed this beautiful ‘meeting’ of another and not really stopped to appreciate that this is happening because of the building of love in my body and the willingness to be open in sharing that on a daily basis with whomever I meet.
In the past I’ve used the expression ‘pinnacle experience’ for those big ticket items (probably because one of them was walking up a mountain!) and indeed they were rare. Appreciation as an everyday thing is so different – no razz ma tazz, just simple and regular and as you say you put a little bit out there and rather than being limited and in danger of running out…… the use of a little appreciation begets more of the same.
“When I am in appreciation of the flow of my movements and the inner warmth that accompanies this, I am also more open to looking deeply into the eyes of others and confirming our connection through a delicate smile or a subtle bow of the head.” It is an incredible feeling to live life this way. For me it comes down to consistency to make all the difference.
Learning to appreciate the small moments in life has unhooked me from the roller coaster of highs and lows created when we put all the emphasis on the ‘big ticket items’. Hence we afford our selves the grace to appreciate what we might otherwise take for granted and bring a steady joy to everyday life.
Knowing that by carrying out the ‘mundane’ tasks of life in a quality of presence, builds the quality of presence in everything else – that may be seemingly bigger, makes the mundane purposeful and not so mundane!
Life is far from being mundane when we appreciate our qualities and those of others, in fact life is so much richer for the appreciation.
What an amazing blog about such a great topic thank you Coleen for writing this. It occurs to me that the more we repeat something the more mundane it becomes and perhaps the more likely we are to not appreciate its significance, so hence those daily movements we repeatedly make every day can become automatic and we go on auto-pilot, but if we focus on the quality of our movements from a place of connection with our bodies then every movement is significant and potentially delicious.
When we make every moment magical, there is no mundane. We appreciate every step we take and every move we make as God is with us in everything.
When we can appreciate the small things, how I have swept the floor and the quality that emanates from it, how I have dressed lovingly, how I have arranged the furniture in my house, a sunrise, the way the light makes patterns – all these things support me to feel that life is abundant – it supports to keep my heart open, to keep choosing love, to keep choosing commitment and to keep working on myself and on my relationships.
I remember once being told something along the lines of ‘boring doesn’t exist, it’s just the state of mind that you’re in’. Well, the same could be said here; “mundane only exists, if you’re not connected to your soul.”
In fact is there zero difference in the level of divinity in either big or small? Divinity is an equal and constant; it either is or isn’t….irrespective of the scale of the expression or movement.
Appreciation is like a muscle, the more you consistently exercise it, the bigger and stronger it gets…
It’s lovely how the mundane can become so enjoyable when we have ‘the simple grace of presence expressed through the quality inherent in one’s movements’ Beautiful
It is when we appreciate the little examples that are played out in our everyday that build to levels over time that is felt in the body. This confirms who we are and often supports us not to waver when life can be challenging at times.
“We eke out our natural appreciation like a miser would his gold and force ourselves into habits of utilising appreciation like a non-renewable resource, using it minimalistically and idealistically…” this is so true Coleen, when it is the very thing that allows us to both acknowledge and foster the divinity we are and come from. It is little wonder then that it’s the one thing we deny ourselves in abundance is the expression of this natural appreciation. What better way to deny the fullness of who we are, and fact of our divinity.
The simplest form of appreciation is the awareness of there is more to life than what we see.
This gorgeous piece Coleen is like a melodious song that you are singing to us all and its full of great wisdom and love. We are all enriched for reading this, thank-you.
Some say the devil is in the detail (as it well can be) but in this case, the divine is in the detail – and that detail is divine.
For me the reflection that Nature gives us shows us the detail. If anyone has looked closely at a Butterfly’s wing for example, they are so exquisitely beautiful the colours and the details of their markings. There is one Butterfly called a ‘Gate Keeper’ and on their wing is a black dot and on the black dot is a white dot. It is so small and delicate and I am amazed at the smallest detail has not been over looked. So as you say Victoria divine is in the detail and if we were all to take such care over the details how differently we would live our lives.
“The divine is in the detail” – I love that, there is definitely a magic and a divine precision in the smaller details of life that can be easily be overlooked. Every moment has a magic to it.
This is a beautiful blog, very touching and poetic. I can relate to how appreciation only comes out of the cupboard for certain occasions and thus it’s not true appreciation but a version that suits and existence rather then life truly. The awareness that this article has bought to me is magical and to now appreciate that in itself has already changed my view on the world and what’s next, thank you.
This is really important what you are saying Ray – that appreciation is a tap that you can’t just turn on when it suits…it’s in fact an activity that we need to be living 24/7. I don’t do this by any means, but I can sense how it would ignite my body.
It can be respectfully amusing when we talk about appreciation by not appreciating if that makes sense. Like everything it starts somewhere and especially with appreciation it needs to be just let on it’s own. I don’t mean isolated but I mean by there is no ‘buts’. Similar to that feels really great but……… Just leave it with the appreciation. It would seem we are more then prepared at times to ‘go to town’ on ourselves in a way that critiques but not give any other view and so to start or to expand appreciation let’s just leave it on it’s own for a while, allow it to stand and allow yourself to feel, not who you aren’t but start to see we are. As is said the only way to have something “24/7” is to be in the activity of it, appreciation, it’s the way to be and it’s the way we are.
Totally agree and a day is always made up of the same moments, 12pm is always 12pm and so in this way appreciation is “daily medicine” that should be seen at all points during the day. Don’t save it for the end or for a rainy one bring it in as a moment by moment dose which then expands further than your eye can currently see.
Jane & Ray. You are the doctors of the future.
I too have begun to appreciate the smaller things in life…I even now enjoy taking the rubbish and recycling out down our long drive as I love to feel the exercise this activity brings. A few years ago, I would have resented the job, but now I can feel the value in it, not just for the exercise but for the support it gives my house mates.
Yes this is a good point Rachel – if we appreciate the fact that the quality of our movements when we go about our simple daily tasks can actually support ourselves and others around us just by how we are moving then for me this brings a lot more significance and appreciation to my daily life.
God is in the detail.
Appreciation beautifully expressed Coleen, as everything is everything, all, no matter how small or large it is all there to be appreciated,
Yes and because everything is energy, big or small, it will be the energy it is.
Lately I have been really aware of how I do not see the magic in life, even though if we are truly connected its everywhere! For some reason I have wanted to find this really hard! But as you share, I feel yes ‘it possible that we can bring the magic of our Soul’s presence to any and all mundane tasks through the choice of such inner connection’.
Same here Vicky, lately I have been asking where is the joy in life…..how can there be joy if I am still holding back my expression, which feels restrictive with no expansion. Having this awareness, I have decided to no longer hold back and to be playful and have fun expressing all that I have to bring.
Very beautiful Coleen and so true. It is easy to appreciate the ‘big ticket items’, but when we bring our attention to the normal things we generally do without thinking, we bring a joyful quality to life that makes everyday special.
Appreciation of the tiny magic moments of life that yes, might seem mundane on the surface, but which are the fabric of our lives, brings us to life in all our majesty and divinity.
Beautifully said Lucy – with appreciation we confirm that we are more than the physical, that there is a quality of energy in who we are and what we do that cannot come from us but through us.
It is the small things in life, that when given the full care and attention that they deserve, support us to be able to handle the bigger and seemingly more complex things that we may have previously found too challenging to deal with.
Very good point Sandra, when we tackle the smaller steps we are much more equipped for the bigger more detailed ones.
Life’s ‘big ticket’ moments are no different to the mundane when the joy of connection and appreciation is truly known.
Appreciation is our essential foundation if we are to know the fullness of who we all are. It has been trampled in the stampede for achievement and anything else that we are attracted to in the addiction to recognition from what is outside of us. A tragic state of affairs because we are already magnificent and not to appreciate this the main blight on humanity.
If one celebrates the mundane then all life is a celebration.
Appreciation is felt in the quality of our movements and intention, this is where the magic comes to life.
I can also feel that a committed momentum of appreciation of the small things gives me the strength and purpose to stay steady when life throws some big curve balls at me.
“Under the blessing of this magic the mundane is transformed by the touch of the divine, with no magic wand required, but the simple grace of presence expressed through the quality inherent in one’s movements.” This is simply beautiful Coleen. And so simple and yet life-enriching and expanding. Thank you.
This has reminded me, in the middle of an intense period, that God is in the detail.
Thank you Otto for this supportive reminder, easily overlooked when stressed or too busy in life to simply know that God is in the detail.
Chasing the highs and the inevitable lows that come with the highs, is the way we have set it up to be raised to chase life itself – and we can go about our life believing this is the way it needs to be. But the beauty is in the steadiness – or we could even say the flatline, the constant that’s ignited when we live from the inner warmth we all have. Then nothing is mundane, everything is full of the movement you bring to it from the connection with yourself.
There is a stark difference between the magic timing of conversations, events and pointers, compared to the feeling of going against the tide in all of these connections.. When we have a ‘terrible’ day where everything does seem wayward, it’s easy to go straight into ‘everything’s terrible’ and this can lead to a further sabotage of relationships, but what if by knowing how to live against the tide we know precisely how to ‘go with the flow’, and actually a day of chaos is a choice we make based on OUR approach to the day?
Now this is really something for me to ponder here as it was ‘one of those days’ for me. So much went so off. Now to feel into what that was teaching me about me and what I have to bring. You make some very meaningful points here Susie.
There have been periods in my life where every day was amazing such as when I worked at the Zoo every day was such fun and I counted my blessings to work there. There was so much to appreciate even the cold winters afternoons when we would all sit round the fire, toasting toast and just chilling out, while baby Wallabies bounced round the mess room, and we were fascinated by how they could jump and curl themselves up as they plopped back into their carry sacks we had made for them. Then all you could see was their legs sticking out of their improvised pouches. Thanks to the presentations and workshops of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine I have been able to deal with my hurts and they no longer have control over me. I now can look back at my life and see what a huge journey of learning I have been on that has brought me back to my beginning again. We really do go round and round in circles going over the same footsteps until they are re harmonised, then we can move on.
To me, appreciation of the small things is the glue that keeps everything together. It is easy to dip and have highs in the bigger things if we are not consistent in the everyday. There is such a joy in appreciation it needs to happen every day!
Thank you Coleen – you remind us that everything is everything and that we have such opportunity in appreciating the little things. Just this morning I re-arranged my dressing room – and the difference this has made is remarkable. It has allowed me a flow with everything else going on, which says absolutely that it is the detail that is important.
Coleen, there are many things that you have touched on that I appreciate – for me the delicate turn of a flower is beautiful, and yes, the amazing constellations that happen, the magic is something I truly appreciate.
It is so gorgeous what you share here Coleen..’ On the inside there is the unfolding of the knowing that there can be divinity in the smallest detail of our lives..’ This makes every little detail so enjoyable to appreciate and the little things collectively then become huge. It allows us to deepen the quality of our appreciation.
Yes it is life changing to make the smallest mundane things just as important as everything else.
Yes indeed Lieke. I have a distinct memory of hanging out the washing one day and realising how gorgeous the simple task was as I was doing it, rather than it being the chore I would so often think it was. I realised how full I was feeling in myself and therefore how ‘full’ what I was doing was also. It is when the smallest things in life, the simplest of things have that richness that we realise that it is very possible to live in such a way that is simple and glorious at the same time.
True, appreciation of the details of life impacts on all areas of life, it builds a way of being like no other.
I think if we can appreciate the far-reaching effects and impact of energy and how much a difference the way we do things or connect with others can make then even the seemingly smallest moment can be magical by the quality we bring to it, naturally so.
Mundane is the the way we approach things – not the task at hand.
What you show here is how really everything matters but how we have made certain occasions and moments in our life more special than others and with that have brought an imbalance to our whole being-ness.
I have experienced many moments as you’ve described Coleen. Yet I wouldn’t say it is my constant and consistent experience of human life. I feel that the more I appreciate the magic of how the ‘little’ things, ‘little’ adjustments in life make me feel is a key in building this consistency.
I liked this blog Coleen. There are a multitude of daily events that slip by without any appreciation. I recently sprained my ankle and have been marveling at how others can skip down the stairs, or stand on tip toes, and all the other things that having two functioning ankles allow us to do. As I slowly nurse myself back to health, I am celebrating each small thing my healing ankle is now able to do again.
An absolute joy to read Coleen, exactly what I needed to read.
Coleen I love what you have shared here especially this part ‘the mundane is transformed by the touch of the divine, with no magic wand required, but the simple grace of presence expressed through the quality inherent in one’s movements.” as it shows that its our connection, our quality and our relationship with our soul that brings the magic not anything outside of us. I am one that struggles with appreciating the small things, yet when I do bring that into my day I feel complete in a whole new way.
I love what you’ve shared here about what appreciation looks like on a day to day, moment to moment, basis: that it’s expressed through the way we move: we can move in disregard and drive, or with awareness, flow and grace. We can choose at any time how we want to move and the energy that we want to move in.
If we acknowledge and deeply appreciate all the small moments when magic happens, no moment becomes insignificant or mundane. We get to see how the quality we move in has an enormous impact on all around us. Recently when walking in and out of rooms at the aged care place, many of the clients would sneeze once or twice as I entered the room, I clocked this and deeply appreciated that my presence was clearing them.
Life takes on a whole new meaning when we appreciate the little things, and there is certainly nothing mundane about it.
Coleen, I am deeply appreciating the magic you bring to this blog, with the awareness of appreciating even the smallest detail in everyday life, changes the quality in everything that is done throughout every day.
“Under the blessing of this magic the mundane is transformed by the touch of the divine, with no magic wand required, but the simple grace of presence expressed through the quality inherent in one’s movements”.
When we appreciate the small everyday things and details in life we can feel the joy in every thing within and around us. We don’t have to reserve this for the big-ticket items or events, because then we may miss out on connecting to so much more.
This is a fantastic piece of writing Coleen, beautifully presented you are bringing the very fabric of life back in to most basic parts of being human – such as quality of movement and breath.
The biggest things in our life can be the small, simple things that only cost us a moment of our awareness, the smile of a baby or a sunrise. What if we held this awareness to everything in our lives?
Beautifully expressed Coleen. It seems to me that life offers us a reflection of ourselves and hence if we find life mundane, then there is an absence of appreciation in us. I have learned so much from apparently ‘ordinary’ life events, but within which, the seed of truth can always be found.
You have touched on a very significant oversight that most of us have made in our lives Coleen. This being the lack of recognition and appreciation we give the simple things in our lives, as you mention such as a simple chore such as wiping the dishes, or perhaps someone offering to carry a parcel for us. Things in nature like a beautiful night sky, a gorgeous flower. Our healthy body or beautiful fingers etc. Things done and created in love are truly important and deserve our appreciation.
Bringing appreciation to the mundane tasks in life transforms them and allows recognition of the simplicity and joy in being connected to the divine whatever task we are undertaking.
The word ‘mundane’ has no meaning when your movements and actions are in appreciation of the amazingness of who you are and the Divine love that flows through you.
So true Mary, beautifully expressed. When we appreciate and move with joy, every movement then becomes absolutely glorious. No need to wait for the big, once in a life time glorious moment(s), every second of our day can be equally glorious. How amazing would life be if we all live with this level of appreciation and joy?
Well said Mary , nature is a great and simple reflection of how the magic flows in the simplest of tasks . For example in how a bird gatheres material to make a nest and makes a masterpiece of art in the process.
It is the little everyday ‘mundane’ things that we repeat automatically that add up to quite big amounts over time. Appreciating these small things in life will make a difference.. I see the sunrise over the hills from my house and I just love that. Appreciating this is easy – less so the everyday things I do for myself. Inspiring blog Coleen, thankyou.
This is a very confirming piece of writing Colleen, as I can find real joy in mundane tasks if I am able to stay out of drive mode and focused on my breath and movements.
Yes, it seems like we have made mundane a bad thing. But is it really? Or is it a very solid foundation in our life and we simply haven’t yet noticed –
‘Oh wow!’ we exclaim when we see something we feel is special. Sometimes we go ‘it’s a message from God, just for me!’. But in all of this there is still part of us that sees this as isolated and unusual. One day we may come to understand that everything under the sun is perfectly constelated and arranged for everyone, all the same time. Every last thing tailored perfectly to deliver what we need to hear. So if we think the world or life is mundane it’s just because we have chosen to block out God’s symphony – what a shame. Thank you Coleen for a beautiful reminder.
I couldn’t agree more. Feeling in to the purpose of everything around us and how it is presented by divine intelligence, custom made, is simply amazing and worth appreciating!
There is much to appreciate in the small details. I see this often with people who are able to appreciate the littlest things, it does seem to make life that much richer and more fun when we connect to the purpose in the supposedly mundane.
Beautiful Coleen, appreciation can never be undervalued! I laughed as I wrote that as it means we can never appreciate appreciation too much! The little details are so worth appreciating as valuing them is what grows the whole.
Appreciation is like the cradle from which more of divinity can flow into everyday life and the mundanest of tasks. Appreciation is like the bud from which much can blossom. Appreciation is our bedrock.
‘We eke out our natural appreciation like a miser would his gold and force ourselves into habits of utilising appreciation like a non-renewable resource, using it minimalistically and idealistically.’
I almost laughed out loud when I read this, recognising the absolute truth of it – and the absolute ludicrousness of it! Why on Earth do we behave as if appreciation is as rare as hen’s teeth when it’s freely available to us all, and in unlimited quantities? Other than not loving ourselves and others enough to recognise the fact, that is ; ))
Beautiful, Coleen. So what we are talking about here is building a way of being that is less rollercoaster with the accompanying, wild palpitations and more gentle, purposeful stroll with steady pulse.
I like this summation Victoria. Less drama, more purpose and appreciation for the details.
I find appreciation is a rhythm to consistently feel within the way we move and it brings a great deal of flow and ceremony to the way in which I move which feels magical to give and for others to also receive.
One of the reasons why appreciation is so difficult for me, and also i’ve seen for many others too, is that we’re in a rush and so in such speed miss things — we miss seeing what’s there to then be able to appreciate it. Slowing down my every day movements, like eating dinner, drinking tea, walking, speaking and so on has all allowed space… space to feel appreciation’s grace.
What a fabulous piece Coleen! The part “…a tendency to appreciate only the absolutes, e.g. absolute Joy or absolute Stillness. Such occasions were rare so what do we do with our appreciation the rest of the time? Are we then repeating the pattern of appreciation being exclusive and only for ‘special occasions?’ ” particularly resonated with me. For there is a lot of in-between time! I think I can find a lot to appreciate deeply now; sometimes it feels like appreciation is a muscle that needs developing for it to reach it’s full potential. And so I shall begin to flex right now, as I appreciate you for writing down your light bulb appreciation piece and I appreciate myself for reading it, feeling what it is you are saying, and then bothering to comment.
I’m struck by the idea that perhaps I’ve held off on the idea of divinity as being beyond this life, and not the here and now, another variation on the idea of big ticket items being it, and what is offered here prompts me to feel and understand that it’s each little thing just as each drop of water is part of the ocean, no less and more magnificent because of it. I can feel a new keeness to explore appreciation.
When we bring appreciation into our lives, where it in fact naturally belongs, every moment that we experience is a moment to appreciate; no one moment is more important that the other. Big, medium or small, all moments are just as precious and moments to pause and appreciate.
“We eke out our natural appreciation like a miser would his gold and force ourselves into habits of utilising appreciation like a non-renewable resource, using it minimalistically and idealistically as a means of confirming when an inner picture, goal, wish, dream or aspiration has been reached – seeing it as the full stop at the end of a sentence or the tick in the ‘done’ box.” I love this sentence as it is so true. We have a very miserly attitude towards appreciation and part of that is what we have come to accept as being “up ourselves” if we show appreciation for ourselves whereas the truth is that it is a very nurturing and enriching thing to do, not only for ourselves but also for others.
Simply beautiful Coleen. It’s a great observation you have made about “big ticket items” and how our drive towards these sees us missing the potential in each moment to be with ourselves, expressing our innate qualities and appreciating the magic that comes from within.
When we are in conscious presence with all that we do, whatever that may be and appreciate the connectedness we feel, we open the door for the next moment to present to us and build on this quality. This is how we go deeper and deeper into ourselves and thus deeper and deeper into the Universe so that we can express what we are here to express and that is the love that we are and the absolute divinity of this, in all that we do no matter how ‘small’ or ‘big’ we may deem it. In-truth there is no measure, it is simply the one expression applied consistently across all facets of our lives.
I love what you have shared here, it makes sense, I can see how I can appreciate the big things and I can in fact just take the small things for granted and it is these things, the small ones that all add up and make a difference. I have also found that when I do stop to appreciate them, even more things show up that I may have not been aware of. It is the little things that count.
I love when you are in a great place and you share a smile and give your all to a stranger and you see them light up and beam right back at you! We could be doing this all the time, but I know I haven’t. It was great to read your blog and realise this. Thanks.
I agree, its is not about being seen or showing off, but about communicating, I see you, I acknowledge you and I feel you.
Yes absolutely appreciation is the keyholder of all things – it is the very foundation we walk with if we so choose. Without appreciation all pieces fall apart, we can say that appreciation is the glue.