Member-only story
Noticing Everyday Miracles — “If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is.”
I am finally getting around to reading some Kurt Vonnegut, after decades of writing down quotes when I came across them. I’m starting with his Advice to the Young, despite being in a body that currently feels about 127.
“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’” If This Isn’t Nice, What Is? Advice to the Young, Kurt Vonnegut.
These words have made their way into many notebooks of mine over the years, and they’re now a kind of mantra that I try to live by. Lately, I’ve been making a point of saying the words aloud rather than quietly observing inside my own head.
In my head I always word it exactly like that, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” Out loud I’m more likely to go for, “Isn’t this lovely?” or some other phrase less likely to make my family raise their eyebrows at me more than they do already. And my 9-year-old has incredible eyebrow-raising skills, which I have experienced all too frequently.
You can play this game too.
Just go about your day as normal, but look for the opportunity to notice a tiny everyday miracle.
Arrived fifteen minutes early for the dentist, thereby gaining yourself fifteen minutes of sitting on a bench in the sunshine? If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.
Sitting on the sofa with your child’s feet propped up on your lap while you both watch a movie? If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.
All your family around the dinner table arguing about ridiculous things? If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.
Give it a try!
