Most media is all about the big things in life. Car crashes, people dying, and rousing speeches are all fodder for the media. And so, we concentrate on the big things, and as a result, miss the million small things that are important. Or worse yet, dismiss them.

It’s what used to make country music so successful. It celebrated everyday things, small victories, and the everyday kind of love that makes the world go round. I think what people miss and dont appreciate are the strawberries and cream of life.

Strawberries and Cream are what Death says is the meaning of life, in Ingmar Betgmans The Seventh Seal. Howard Stern once gave an interview about how when he was young, that answer pissed him off. It wasn’t until decades later that he got it.

It’s not the anniversaries, it’s the marriage. It’s not the victory lap, it’s running the race. It’s firing up the grill on Sunday afternoon. It’s a board game with your friends. These are the moments that make it worth all the struggle. And we lose sight of it sometimes.

I took off work today to celebrate my birthday. I’ve been told I’m accruing too much PTO. And after the week I’d had, I was ready to breathe for a day. But when it came to decide what to do that day, I froze. So many options, so much to do. Do I go to Chicago? Or a major concert? Take in a museum?

Ended up being none fo the above. Just some shopping, dinner, a movie. And it was so much better than any of those things would have been, probably. Because I’m starting to figure out that if you don’t enjoy the small stuff, you hype up the big stuff too much, and lose the joy.

It’s not the cost of the meal, its the people with you to enjoy it. It’s not what you buy, it’s the person who goes with you and also pets the dog in the record store. I think the more we stay present int he moment, and don’t get distracted by the future, or whats next, and just simply be, and enjoy, that makes it all worthwhile.

That’s all for today. I hope that even if you hate read this, know that I mostly still want good things for you. Good night.