Find Your Orange: Appreciating The Little Things (Nichole)
The Orange
At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I'm glad I exist.
-Wendy Cope
This is my favorite poem that I have ever read. It is obviously beautifully written, and its message brings such warmth to my heart. Wendy Cope, a contemporary English poet, wrote this piece to capture how appreciating the "smaller" things in life can bring us a special kind of joy. The simplicity of sharing a comically large orange with friends can uplift and brighten one's day. This one silly moment of acknowledgment and appreciation can stick with us and bring meaning. The poem's last line of "I love you. I'm glad I exist" stunningly encapsulates an almost childlike appreciation of life as a result of open-hearted gratitude.
The Little Things
Appreciating the small joys of daily living, such as a silly lunchtime orange, can be referred to as experiential appreciation, also known as finding value in experiences. Researchers have found that experiential appreciation, or enjoying the little things, is just as influential as major life milestones in finding meaning in living.
A reported survey of 2,000 adults found that ultimate mood boosters include compliments from/ to strangers, feeling sunshine, eating a sweet treat, and cozying up in a bed with fresh sheets. Such findings are seemingly consistent, and they have led to the launch of a global Cookie Care campaign (by DoubleTree by Hilton). Thousands of people are being surprised with free pairs of chocolate chip cookies, with the intention of one cookie as a personal treat and the second to be shared, spreading the simple pleasures.
How “Oranges” Help
Choosing to appreciate the little things in daily living will allow greater mental balance and bettered creativity. It can also improve physical health, as it has been shown to increase immunity and healing time. Ways to incorporate gratitude into your routine include keeping a gratitude journal, being present, and deciding to fall asleep appreciating the beautiful moments of that day. Gratitude will have you feeling refreshed, uplifted, and better motivated.
My lunchtime orange is scream-singing Taylor Swift in the car with my windows down and the volume turned all the way up. It's hearing the birds sing good morning, and sharing words of love with people I don't know. My orange is when I look up and feel how small I am in everything, and just how kind I can be. Learning how to choose gratitude has changed my perception of life. I love you. I'm glad I exist.
What's your orange?
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