Sometimes life can become little more than a repetitive rhythm of responsibilities and commitments. If we’re not careful, the day-to-day routine furrows a rut of monotony and dissatisfaction.
In addition, it may not be feasible to make the changes we dream of: a new job, a move across the country, pursuit of an exciting pastime like paragliding, vacations in exotic locations, or other adventuresome options.
We have kids. Others are counting on us. We don’t have the resources or time.
Does that mean we’re chained to tedium for the foreseeable future? Not at all.
Listed below are six ways (out of many) to spark excitement in our spirits:
Make Others Smile–and Even Laugh
In fact, Jesus taught that providing benefit to others is actually a greater blessing to the giver than the receiver [1]. Surely that principle applies to smiles and laughter also.
I wonder how many smiles and chuckles we can cause today?
Celebrate the Small
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Kurt Vonnegut
Sometimes we have to be proactive and stir up a little excitement—make a big deal out of something small, such as:
- Celebrate the achievement of a family member. Did one of the children (grandchildren, nieces or nephews) earn an award, make the honor roll, successfully complete a project, or finish his first chapter book? Commemorate the occasion with the honoree’s favorite main dish for dinner, create a song or present a speech; include plenty of applause.
- Research an interesting historical event that happened on an upcoming date. Have the kids plan a dinner celebration in honor of the anniversary. They might create table decorations, a reenactment or presentation, a quiz to stump the parents [2].
- Try something new—a restaurant, park, museum, or activity. Explore another neighborhood or town nearby.
Afterwards, add a prayer of thanksgiving, and you’ll find such experiences enhanced even further.
Be Curious and Pursue Discovery . . .
. . . in creation, in knowledge, in the backstory of people you know, and especially in scripture.
Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.
Lovelle Drachman
It’s exhilarating to discover something new, don’t you think?
Equally delightful is the realization that no matter how long we live, how much we read, how many people we get to know, how much time we spend studying scripture, there will always be more to discover.
I find that exciting!
Encourage Others
How exciting is that?
Speak Gratitude and Praise
Write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.
George A. Buttrick
No doubt, such a list would foster excitement in our hearts—for a God of goodness, compassion, generosity and power, who provides enumerable blessings each day.
Pray about Everything . . .
. . . and enjoy the thrill God has ordained, allowing us to be a part of his healings, provisions, guidance for decisions and more.
Now review the headings above and note:
Finding adventure in everyday life is not about grand gestures, but about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
John Claborn [3]
Finding adventure . . . seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary . . . sounds like an exciting pursuit, don’t you think?
What sparks excitement for you? What strategy might you try next? Please share in the comment section below!
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[1] Acts 20:35
[2] See https://www.ducksters.com/todayinhistory.php, a resource for possibilities to celebrate.
[3] https://theruggedface.com/finding-adventure-in-everyday-life/
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If I fill my days praising the Lord for the blessings, the miracles, and the wonders of the world, there’s little time left to worry, complain, or be ungrateful. Thanks for the uplifting post, Nancy! 😁🙏✝️
Amen, Nancy! If we keep turning our minds to Philippians 4:8 kind-of-thinking, our outlook changes for the better and we FEEL so much better.
Absolutely! That’s the perfect scripture to summarize your post. 😁🙏✝️
As the subtitle of my blog, “Meditations of My Heart” says, “Meeting the Miraculous in the Mundane,” is my pursuit of fulfillment every day. We don’t have to see or do big things to feel God’s presence all around us, for He is always there to show us His great works in the smallest and most insignificant of events. And let us not forget to celebrate those times with those we love. Blessings!
You and your husband know well how to find the excitement in each day. And isn’t sensing the Spirit of God with us, even in the ordinary moments, one of the most sublime experiences there is?! Thank you, Martha, for adding that reality to our list of strategies!
I like and agree with your post, but sadly not everyone celebrates either the big or the little things in life. I pray and try to model that attitude as they would be so much happier if they could smile and accept and give encouragement.🙏
So true, Linda. There’s a reason why scripture commends gratitude and cheerfulness. They do indeed contribute to our contentedness.
Nancy, I love the many ways you spur us on to find joy in the small things. Once again you have without knowing it encouraged me to complete a task I had begun earlier this year. Thank you for your words of wisdom. You are a true blessing to do many.
Anita
Praise God for his timing and the way these posts materialize each week! It warms my heart to know this post encouraged you, and you found God’s wisdom within its content. You have always been a blessing to me, dear Anita!
I try not to compare my life with others because comparisons usually make the one doing the comparing feel like they’ve come up short. Social media is notorious for promoting discontent. Sometimes I need to have a mental talk with myself and more importantly with God. Then I begin to count my blessings and practice thankfulness. Thank you for everything you pointed out that helps us live with joy and gratitude, Nancy.
Right you are, Patty. Satan is a master at steering our thoughts off-course. When we realize that’s happening, and begin to count our blessings and practice thankfulness as you say, we find our attitude improving immediately! Gratitude and praise are powerful weapons against discouragement.
I loved this post! The quote above about counting our blessings is so very true! (George A Buttrick) Even in a single day, we could never thank God enough for His love, mercy, and provision in our lives. The light of His love blesses our encounter in this world with the people we meet and the places we go. When our hearts dwell upon those blessings, they ‘grow’ because we deeply appreciate the gifts before us. You are so very right…we do not have to travel the world to find adventure. Every day is an adventure if we trust in God and open ourselves to the wonder of life around us.
Well said, Linda! I too loved that George Buttrick quote. Just reading it can lift the spirit, reaffirming all that is ours because of our loving, compassionate, attentive Father!
Six incredible suggestions. Thank you, Nancy. Being curious, encouraging, grateful, and prayerful are such wonderful ways to fill our cups. Beautiful!
Thank you, Wynne. I love your summary statement about filling our cups [of satisfaction]. God has shown us the way; he leaves the choice to us whether we take his path. Sometimes I haven’t, and looking back I wonder, What was I thinking that my way could possibly be better?! Praise God, he’s always brought me back!
Hi Nancy, I used to read Kurt Vonnegut all the time but haven’t in years. That quote is so good though. I’m a huge believer in making “normal” life special rather than saving for a “big” vacation.
The truth is that my son has had just as much fun hiking at state parks on our family days as he has had on days that we’ve spent money eating out or pursuing activities that cost money. One thing I’m planning for him is a “Friday Surprise” now that’s he’s started school. It wouldn’t be anything fancy, just something like a fruit and cheese combo or something like prosciutto that I don’t buy often to have when he gets home from school to signal the weekend has arrived.
He’ll look forward to THAT each week! What happy memories you’re creating for him, Stacey!
So many excellent ideas, my friend! I love the quote by Lovelle Drachman: “Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.” So true! Being people curious especially opens up doors to relationships we’ve never considered. And Swindoll’s quote: “Encouragement is awesome. It can actually change the course of another person’s day, week, life.” Thanks for these great ideas, Nancy.
I’m so glad you found those quotes meaningful, Dayle. Of course I did too, or I wouldn’t have included them! 😁 Both of these, from Drachman and Swindoll, are perspective-changers, aren’t they. I wonder how many delightful moments we miss simply because “our view is askew?” May we always be on the lookout for the extraordinary, with praise at-the-ready on our lips!
love these quotes especially this one: Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.
Lovelle Drachman
I think one of my favorites went this way: Thank God for each ordinary day. that is so true!!
Indeed, there’s much about an ordinary day to be grateful for–even get excited about–from getting out of bed in the morning (especially if there’s no pain involved!), to settling into bed at night on clean sheets, a soft pillow, and under a cozy blanket. In between are dozens more! Thank you, God, for your goodness and generosity!
Nancy,
Alright and amen! Yes, we need a little spice all the time. Enjoy yours. Number 4 Grand daughter is here. Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations, Gary. I know you’ll soak up every minute of joy and delight that you can. Nothing like a new baby to add excitement in the family!
Be Curious and Pursue Discovery . . .” I love learning! As you know, I especially appreciate the true stories about men and women of God that you share with us.
Pray about Everything . . .On another note, social media can be a great tool to share the Gospel to others. Sometimes, however, it can make one dissatisfied with one’s life as we see people posting wonderful vacations that they have taken etc. If I am not careful, I can become dissatisfied with my own life and even become envious. This is Satan trying to distract me from thanking and praising the Lord for the life He has provided me with. So I pray, “Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me with the best life that you have planned for me before I was even born”. And most importantly, I try double-down on my efforts to spread the gospel. Nothing on earth can compare to what we will experience when we meet Jesus face to face. Great post, Nancy.
And when you DO meet Jesus, I know he will commend you for the selfless love you’ve poured out upon your family over the decades, for doubling down to spread the gospel, and for the encouragement you’ve generously offered to others. (I’m one of the blessed recipients of the latter!) I pray you take great joy and satisfaction from the ways God has used you to minister to others! P.S. You’ll be happy to know this week’s post will be about a woman that God used in amazing ways!
Nancy, thank you for your gracious and encouraging comment. You have been a blessing to me for over 50 years. That’s what God loves! To be building each other up so that we can retain that confidence that comes with being a child of our Lord.
AMEN, my friend!
are you praying for catsartpics
So much wisdom in these points—and I am really leaning into the one about curiosity these days, asking myself, “What might God be up to in this?”
TT
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Your question, “What might God be up to in this” is a wise choice also, Michele–so much more perspective-changing, faith-building, and spirit-lifting than “Why is this happening to me?” Thank you for adding another way to add excitement to our lives!