It’s coming—the holiday weekend! Many are gathering on the Fourth of July for family picnics or neighborhood cookouts. Some are traveling to the beach or mountains or have booked a special getaway weekend.

Not me. My far-flung family will not be celebrating with me on the fourth and I’m okay with that.

Really, I am. Especially since I’m still in recovery mode.

In fact, I am content about my plans to “do nothing.” Why? I’ve decided to once again embrace the philosophy of Mark Nepo, one of my favorite writers for my morning readings. In his book, The Book of Awakenings he offers this thought:

One key to knowing joy is being easily pleased. —Mark Nepo

Although high expectations and exacting preferences can be thought of as sophisticated or worldly, it’s often only a means of “isolating ourselves from being touched by life,” Nepo suggests.

Ouch.

How easy it is to be critical, to find fault, to form an opinion. I wonder if it can be as easy to simply be pleased?

This weekend, I’m going to revisit that approach and let it give my recovery mode a power boost. I’m betting I can find joy right under my nose if I take the time to look for it.

Maybe I just need to remember the lessons I learned from my dog, Tripp, who was always so easily pleased. His life was simple. If he liked something, he wagged his tail. And he wagged his tail a LOT. Sunshine, a comfy bed, a pat on the head, or a rawhide bone dipped in smidgen of peanut butter—those were the things that pleased him. And yet, he took the time to smell the flowers.

He knew how to be “touched by life.”

So for the next three days, I am going to focus on being “easily pleased” and see what joy it brings. I’ll take some pictures and share them in the coming weeks and on social media as #EasilyPleased✨ and #SimplyJoyful.

Stay tuned!

Wishing you a weekend touched by life and filled with joy!

P.S. This Thoughtful Thursday is also the basis for the July 3rd reading in Morning Fuel, along with these questions for reflection:

Do you find it hard to be easily pleased? Do you find joy when you are?

P.P.S. A special memory of Tripp, celebrating the Fourth. I miss you, my furry friend!

Tripp Galli 2007 – 2022

P.P.P.S. Thanks for all the well-wishes for recovery and strength. I’m getting there!