Do you want Ordinary or Extraordinary?

I wrote this story last August.  I'm sharing it now because it has a great message and it brings back memories of summer!

Life can be ordinary or it can be extraordinary.  The difference between the two can be very small. Let me explain.  

Last night I was trying to decide what to have for dinner.  My husband and I often order Thai carry-out on Friday evenings because it's good and easy.  I had been cleaning all afternoon so I was in jeans and a t-shirt.  Fine attire for carry-out.  Then my perspective on the evening shifted.  I asked how could I make itfeel like the start to a weekend rather than just the end of a day of work?  

I glanced through recipes and found one that all I needed from the store was fresh corn.  There's a farmer’s market only 3 miles from my house so I wouldn’t even need to deal with the weekend crowds at the grocery store.  I showered. Dressed in something nicer than I needed to for dinner at home and went to buy the corn.  I lingered at the market—appreciating the colors of the fresh produce and garden flowers.  I carefully selected the most brilliant zinnias.  I gathered the corn and a bright red pepper.  I absorbed energy from the other weekender shoppers.  There was a feeling of the start of a weekend in the air.  I loved how I felt!

I set up the simple meal prep so my husband and I could work along side each another to prepare the meal.  We weren’t in a hurry. Instead, we made it an event.  Conversation was great—the meal delicious—and the start of the weekend was sweet.  What made the difference?  A fresh perspective, a rejuvenating shower, and a trip to the farmer’s market. These three things shifted a mediocre evening into a memorable evening.  It's that simple.

Is there a new perspective you can bring to your days?  Retirement allows you the time to do it.  What ordinary event do you want to turn into something extraordinary?