It never fails to surprise me how hard it is to write a Slice of Life post once a week after meeting the March daily writing challenge of 31 slices in a row. I can certainly come up with excuses (much easier than slice topics!), but the bottom line is that it’s May 9, and after 31 days of March writing, I haven’t written a slice since. Yikes.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about bright spots and how important it is to notice and focus on them. Every day has such moments if your “antennae” are tuned to that channel. Early one morning last week I stepped outside to head to work and spied clusters of water droplets on the newly emerged leaves of my lady’s mantles. I stopped to look closer.
I was stunned by the perfection of the small orbs, like glowing jewels along the edges of the unfolding leaf. That image stayed with me throughout the day. Just a small moment, but a powerful reminder.
It strikes me that writing slices about those bright spots is a great practice to take up. Pretty similar to gratitude I suppose, and perhaps a way to ease back into the pool of weekly writing.
One of the biggest bright spots in the past year has been my daughter and her partner moving into the area after years in Philadelphia. Last week I found myself unexpectedly out of school early and near their apartment. I knew Milo would be home studying for finals. I had been carrying something around in my car for them, so I called to ask if I could drop it off.
“Sure,” they said. “Do you want to go for a walk? It’s so pretty out!”
After torrential downpours and howling winds, the day had turned into a beauty. A welcome change from the recent flow of grey, dreary still-chilly days. No one else knew where I was. No one needed me to be anywhere else. What a luxury!
So, we walked with their dog, Cal, along the river, exclaiming over the torrents of water. We chatted about this and that. Stopped to talk to other pedestrians. Chaperoned a few dog encounters. Nothing remarkable, really. Just sharing time and space on a beautiful day.
But oh, what a gift! A bright spot indeed!
Nix the comfort zone 
Bright spots! I’m working with my nine year old to find them too. Such a great reminder to put our antennae up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow I need this reminder more often than I’d like! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Molly, I love the photos of the water drops
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love lady’s mantle because of how it gathers water. It never fails to wow me.
LikeLike
I’m going to hold onto those bright spots of water to remind me to get back to capturing bright spots and preserving them in cheritas. Similar to your slice writing, I haven’t written a single cherita since April 30. Sigh. (But I HAVE written an article, so there’s that!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
And what a fabulous article it is! (Also, April 30th was only 9 days ago! lol)
LikeLike
I too have struggled to write on Tuesdays after daily during March. I’m glad we both showed up today. Thanks for reminding me to look for the bright spots! As I reflected today, you are shining your light! Keep it up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sally. I’m sorry you’ve been struggling, but it is nice to know I’m not alone. I hope we’ll bump into each other here soon–maybe even next week! (though I’m making no promises!)
LikeLike
You said it so beautifully. I haven’t sliced either since I wrote every day in March and April. I sat next to a student yesterday who was totally struck with the nothing-to-write-about blues. It’s so hard just to start. And here you are modeling to me the just-do-it attitude. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret. Honestly, I’m always impressed by how much you write, and you seem to manage it all effortlessly.
LikeLike
I love this reminder to be focused, be channeled, be intentional to look for the bright spots in each day. Two Slice of Life Challenges ago, on Day 1, I challenged myself to write every day for a year. One year led to two, and I haven’t stopped. Some days I’m tempted to quit. And then I think, “I’ll write posts ahead for the following week this weekend.” So sometimes they’re rather short, because it’s never easy keeping the momentum to write and post daily. But it’s harder to part with the habit than to continue it…..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kim, I do write in my notebook pretty much every day. I can’t imagine posting every day though! Wow! Kudos to you!
LikeLike
It’s a Carol Dweck mindset. One of my favorite mantras is “I don’t have to do this. I get to do this.” 180 degree intention that helps me not feel sorry for myself too much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a powerful mantra…though I tend to forget it at times! It’s sort of how I’ve been thinking about my early rising time. It’s not that I have to wake up so early, it’s actually a gift of time that I give myself. Sometimes it works better than others! lol
LikeLike
Unexpected bright spots glow with you throughout the day! I loved the water droplet jewels outlining the leaves and enjoyed how you took an ordinary walk with your daughter and added some pizzazz into your stops and steps along the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debbie. There are loads of bright spots in my life, but sometimes I overlook them.
LikeLike
Great post and photos, Molly! Very relatable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tabatha.
LikeLike
I just left a comment on Sally’s blog to the effect that why can it be so hard to write once a week after we’ve written daily for a month??
I love the jewel droplets on the plant and I can see why that image would stay with you all day. Just a small moment, but what a gift from Mother Nature. Thanks for the photo!
LikeLike
Bright spots are so needed in life. Thanks for sharing some fabulous ones, Molly.
LikeLike
What lovely moments to share! I love the first closeup photo with the water droplets looking like perfectly matched, clear string of pearls.
LikeLike