March 2024 SOLC–Day 11
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Outside the window, the birds fluttered and flapped from tree to ground to bush and around the feeders. Their songs and occasional squabbles filled the air. I stood by the window, amazed by the level of activity, listening, watching, and feeling my spirits inevitably lift.

Why were there so many of them?

My mind went back to the previous night’s blustery, cold, last-minute filling of the many bird feeders. Oh, yeah… What a lovely reward I’d reaped for following through, albeit quite reluctantly, on that task.

“You’ve got to seed your joy,” I thought, looking through the window, enjoying the fruits of my small effort, and my small word play. Happily, the birds were able to enjoy it as well. A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled, right?

That phrase “seed your joy” has been lingering in my mind ever since. I know firsthand that small pleasures can sing and their effect can linger. A smudgy, grubby microwave finally cleaned, a gritty stairway vacuumed, or some fresh flowers placed on the table require minimal effort, but bring me a flash of pleasure every time I look at them. A letter written, a phone call made, or yes, bird feeders filled, spread the joy a bit further afield.

So, I’ve been pondering. What other small things can I do? What seeds can I plant today for myself and others that will eventually yield a small crop of future joy?