I got home from class early today, and the first thing I did was turn my oven on to 400 degrees. It’s Friday night which means I have time to make myself a nice meal. I decided on salmon and twice-baked potatoes. While the oven pre-heated, I prepared the potatoes and began catching up on this week’s dishes. I could smell my meal baking as I emptied the sink of dishes, spraying myself with soap and water in the process. My meal timing was a little off, the salmon got done 10 min earlier than the potatoes. No fret, I put it in the microwave to keep it warm. I made myself a plate of food, sat down at my kitchen table (not the computer desk like usual). As I sat, I heard my music streaming out from my bedroom, The Beatles “let it be”. I opened up all the blinds in my living room and kitchen, so what little light was left lit the room. I stared out over the ice-covered lake, trying to make patterns out of the cracks in the ice and watching a leaf be scooted across by the wind. My meal was perfect, and I existed for awhile in one of those perfect moments. Not a care in the world, only myself and Howard (the lone duck in the lake).

May sound like a pretty boring way to spend a Friday night, eh? I beg to differ. I’ve decided to make a promise to myself that every Friday evening, I shall enjoy a similar pleasure to this evening. No need for the company of the internet or people or TV. It’s something I consider one of life’s simple pleasures (cliche as it may sound).

I’ve been distant all day, but this moment has re-focused my thoughts. I feel refreshed. Some may never realize the joy that can be found in being alone. Not that being alone is a requirement; I would have loved some company of course. However, all must share an appreciation for the simplicity of the occasion that brought such joy.

I have yet to find someone who can find the joy in this simple activity. Either the person complains about the food taking too long to make, the food not being perfect, or being bored that we can’t watch TV while we eat. It upsets me that I can’t find people who can share my understanding. Maybe I’m just too simple or easy to please…maybe I should only find joy in all the normal activities…maybe I shouldn’t gain such pleasure in watching a duck swim and dive for food or watching how limbs interact on a windy day. Maybe I’m just weird, but it’s these things that put a smile on my face…a true, unforced smile.

Ricky from American Beauty.

On a side note, I recommend watching 13 Conversations About One Thing. It was more wonderful than I hoped.