revel in repetition

Happy Place, Happy Space

When Older Child was growing up, she had many many food sensitivities & aversions. She remarked one day out of the blue: “Eating is such a pain; and we have to do it so many times a day, day after day. I wish there was a Power Up (like in a computer game) I could just use!”. Thankfully, she has worked through many of these issues and enjoys her meals now.

Thinking of her comment reminds us of the many repetitive things that we do each day/week, and the possible tedium that comes with that. Whenever I run in the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the mornings, I share space with many diligent gardeners sweeping leaves off the walkways. I wonder how they must feel sweeping leaves every morning just to have more leaves fall, and they have to repeat the process again the next day.

I like adventure and discovery as much as the next person; the delight that comes with the Aha! Yet recently, I’ve found myself appreciating, yes, even revelling in repetition, particularly in my morning outings.

When I run on through familiar places, my mind is freed up to ruminate and ponder, and to look out for beauty which surprises, like sunlight coming through the early morning dark.

Delightful Sunlight

Running repetitively along established routes also means bumping into familiar people, like Mr Garden Ranger who picks up fallen Elephant Ear Tree leaves by the sackfuls. I finally stopped to ask him why he makes daily rounds, picking up these giant leaves instead of leaving them to compost. We had a conversation about how the leaves trap water which then breeds mosquitoes. This would mean a hefty fine (per leaf found with mosquito eggs) by the NEA, should they choose to inspect. Now I know.

Accustomed circuits also means I get to revisit favourite landmarks, like this one: Swing Me Mama by Dominic Benhura (1995).

This view of the sculpture was taken in September 2017, while the Feature photo was taken just this week, 4 years later.

What are some repetitive activities you enjoy?

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Reading your Joyful Posts brings me to my happy place. I hope having them in one place makes it easier for you to find when you need a bit of happy therapy, too.

If you would like to join in Happy Place, Happy Space, ping back to this post and I will include you next week.

• Ally Bean at The Spectacled Bean‘s In which I Punctuate, Doodle, Get Out of My Head, then Laugh: shares her amusements discovered while working on her projects
• Carol Ann Siciliano‘s Delights: enjoys exploration
• Deb’s World’s If you leave me, can I come too?: delights in leaves
• Gary Wilson’s The Scary Night Adventure: tells a tale told on a dark, damp, moonless night
• Laurie at Notes from the Hinterland‘s Komorebi: sunlight streaming through the trees: brings us a series of dancing sunlight
• Mackenzie at Oh Hi!‘s First Few Weeks Home: relishes her return to where she grew up; and introduces us to falafel pizza!
• Nancy Loderick’s The joy of random conversations: relishes conversation while out to Trader Joe’s
• Natalie at Little Pieces of Me‘s Grateful Fridays: takes charge of “Fit for Good” at work
• Natalie the Explorer‘s Recent Reads & Bench Art: shares books & bench art
• Pam at i choose this‘ Colorful San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico: makes a long-awaited trip
• Thistles and Kiwis’ This Week’s Small Pleasures: reads, watches & cooks up small pleasures
• Travel with Ali’s Monday Mural: Wildhop Brewery: lunches with family; good food, beautiful scenery
• Trent’s World‘s The Weekly Smile: relishes two perfect paddles on his kayak this week

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This post is my contribution to

• Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC) hosted by Marsha at Always Write & Cee at Cee’s Photo Challenges
• Weekend Coffee Share hosted by Natalie the Explorer
• Weekend Sky hosted by Hammad Rais
• Water Water Everywhere hosted by Photos by Jez