19 Comments
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sara's avatar

I love the meaning behind this so much, if we treat an 'ordinary' day like a special one, then that day will become special in itself! thanks for sharing

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

That’s exactly right … it’s all about finding beauty in the ordinary

Thanks for taking the time to read and commenting 🫶🏻

Luisa Gaburova's avatar

This is so interesting!

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

I’m glad it resonated with you

marga ꕤ's avatar

Ishani recommended your article, and I’m so happy she did. That phrase ‘monument to our own hesitation' is so accurate. We spend so much time waiting for a 'perfect' moment that never happens. My grandmother lived this way, and after years of her saved-away treasures gathering dust, breaking, or being lost in a fire, we realized it had all gone to waste. I’ve caught myself inheriting that same mindset, but now that I have my own home, I’m making a conscious effort to stop waiting. I'm choosing to pour the wine and use the good china, especially on a Tuesday.

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

Sometimes the hardest things to do is “unlearn” what we were taught.

I’m glad you’re deciding to make your ordinary days beautiful and special.

I appreciate so much you reading and sharing your story ! 👏🥰

Luisa Gaburova's avatar

100% agree!

marga ꕤ's avatar

You're welcome! Thank you for writing this. Looking forward to seeing more from you! <3

やがて yuji's avatar

if you've read Will Guidara's book Unreasonable Hospitality and how he made Eleven Madison Park into the #1 restaurant in the world, he talks exactly about this! and actually he takes it one step further, saying people should break out their special bottles of wine for their worst days, not your best ones. thanks so much for writing this!

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

Oh that’s a beautiful philosophy … thanks for commenting and taking the time to read it

Glad it resonated with you 🥰

Natasha's avatar

I feel so torn by this essay!! I used to not have much, so I would save stuff to the point it went bad for fear I would never have a chance to get it again. Obviously that's addressed here to a point. But... I don't want to be like my in-laws and not wait for the occasion to open my presents... like... beyond decorum, sometimes the wait and anticipation and fanfare IS what makes something special. Ugh... balance. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

Yess of course … waiting isn’t bad especially when a good occasion actually shows up

But also making ordinary days feel special is a nice thing

Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to read

John Madrid's avatar

The grandmother's cup is the whole essay. The wine getting sediment is the obvious version of the lesson, but the café con leche every afternoon is the real one, because she wasn't saving the beautiful thing, she was making the ordinary day worth the beautiful thing. Different move entirely. Subscribing here, I really enjoyed.

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

The way a grandmas (even if they’re gone ) can teach a lesson is amazing!

Thanks for reading and commenting, glad you liked it

Nar Deidieva's avatar

It's important to keep in mind that life is short, long term plans can change. We need to treat ourselves as special guests, who deserve special things, moments opportunities. Of course we should not live every moment like it is our last, but we need to keep it in mind

Juan Camilo Quintero's avatar

For sure !!!! Life it’s about enjoying the moments we have !

Some are special others are ordinary but all of them should be lived entirely

Nar Deidieva's avatar

Yeah, I think only when you missed the opportunities, you realize that every moment is actually special in its own way