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(Image courtesy of\u00a0 Nadia Valko )<\/p>\n
Imagine this: you open the cabinet and see those beautiful, pristine dishes or that fancy glassware you\u2019ve been saving for\u2026well, you\u2019re not even sure anymore. Some special event, a fancy dinner party, the Queen stopping by for tea? Who knows? I do. Maybe not just china, but more than a few things in my life have been waiting for that special occasion. They\u2019ve been sitting there, untouched, gathering dust, like a museum exhibit of \u201cThings We\u2019re Afraid to Use.\u201d But here\u2019s the question: why wait? Life isn\u2019t waiting around for the \u201cright moment.\u201d It\u2019s happening right here and now, in all its perfectly imperfect glory. And maybe, just maybe, it\u2019s time to bring out the best china and use it\u2014chips, cracks, and all.<\/p>\n
What if, instead of saving the good stuff for some undefined future, you started celebrating each day with it? We often think special things need to be reserved, as if joy has a limit. But the beauty of joy is that it only grows when shared, and the same goes for those beautiful dishes, that gorgeous tablecloth, or even that fancy candle you\u2019re too \u201cpractical\u201d to light. That special bottle of wine risks turning bad if I don’t drink it soon. Why not share it with friends? Every day, even the ordinary, deserves a touch of the extraordinary.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s funny how we treat our best things as if they\u2019re too precious to actually enjoy. Somewhere along the way, we decided that \u201cspecial\u201d equates to \u201crare,\u201d like good days should only come around on anniversaries or holidays. But imagine the magic of sipping your morning coffee from your favorite, fancy cup instead of the usual chipped mug. Or using the \u201cgood\u201d plates for Tuesday night tacos. There\u2019s something liberating, even rebellious, in refusing to wait for permission to enjoy your own life.<\/p>\n
Maybe we\u2019re hesitant because we\u2019re afraid of damaging these cherished items. But here\u2019s a secret: life itself is beautifully imperfect. Just like us, our dishes and special keepsakes might end up with a few chips or cracks, but doesn\u2019t that make them even more ours? I remember we had purchased a set of artfully designed ceramic coasters. Our youngest granddaughter was attracted to them. Within minutes, all had been dropped and kicked, each nicked up. A bit upset at first, I realized that these were “little Gabi’s nicks” — her having innocent fun enjoying time with us. Each nick tells a story\u2014a memory shared, a meal enjoyed, a moment lived fully. Those coasters are still usable and it\u2019s a warm reminder of her time with us and that things are meant to be used and loved, not hidden away, waiting for perfection.<\/p>\n
Look, life is full of ordinary days. But the magic lies in how we choose to see and celebrate those days. Drinking from that beautiful wine glass, even if you\u2019re just having sparkling water, or setting the table with the fine silverware just because it\u2019s Thursday, reminds us that life itself is worth celebrating. And guess what? The Queen might not stop by, but your happiness and sense of wonder will.<\/p>\n
Using our best things for everyday life isn\u2019t wasteful; it\u2019s gratitude in action. It says, \u201cI am worthy of joy, today, right now.\u201d Besides, nothing guarantees we\u2019ll have tomorrow or next month to finally break out the good dishes. So, let\u2019s raise a glass (that fancy one you never use) to fully embracing each day for what it is: a gift.<\/p>\n
Because in the end, life\u2019s too short to save anything for a \u201cspecial occasion.\u201d\u00a0 The special occasion is now, and it deserves every bit of beauty you have to offer.\u00a0Use the good china!<\/p>\n
P.S. By the way, I’m sure I contributed my share of knicks, chips, stains, and broken items to those I lived with. Yet, I was always met with love.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Bob Fagan has just published\u00a0“The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.”\u00a0It is available on Amazon.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"