Celebrating the Bonus

We always buy too much...
This may seem like a weird thing to celebrate in a time of lay-offs and recession, but I’m not talking about the corporate bonus.  I’ve never had one of those and I likely never will.  What I mean are the little day-to-day bonuses that make life so sweet.

There’s the snooze button, for one, and the bonus of an extra few minutes under the covers that, no matter how frantic they make the rest of your morning routine, can still bring a reminiscent smile and a promise to get to bed earlier tonight.

Leftovers are a favourite  bonus in our house.  Especially if they’re left over from a great dinner party or a nice, romantic evening.   Food you don’t have to cook and great memories!  What could be better?

This weekend marks the end of Daylight Savings Time where we live.  One whole bonus hour of sleep!  And an entire day of feeling relaxed and well ahead of schedule.  (Of course, I live with the fantasy that all those hours we’ve been giving up at the start of summer and getting back as-is at the end are secretly accruing interest somewhere and one of these winters, we’ll all get to go someplace sunny and warm for an entire week on the proceeds…)

It’s also Halloween on Saturday – the one night a year we actually encourage small children to take candy from strangers.  Alan and I always overestimate how many kids will arrive on our doorstep and spend a very happy, sugar-filled November.

None of this is huge.  You could look at it as nothing very special, but it’s these small bits of joy, these little extra somethings that make the coldest, grimmest day so much better.  And the more we notice them, the bigger the impact they can have on our lives.

So, how about you?  What’s your favourite bonus?  Please leave a comment and let us know.

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9 Responses to Celebrating the Bonus

  1. Bonus for the morning: As I was crossing the Broadway Bridge on my bike, another bicyclist dinged her bell before passing, and I said thank you, and she smiled back at me. So much better than the usual swishing by with no notice!

  2. margaret says:

    the sunsets and sunrises here in the North. and the little kindergarten girl who comes to my classroom every day for a cracker and a sticker. her smile is the biggest bonus.

  3. Shana says:

    Today I would have to say that my favorite bonus is getting up a little bit early so I can spend extra time in my favorite pajamas.

  4. Lynn says:

    My favorites are seeing the sun rise on a new day, seeing my husband’s smile, hearing my 9 month old grandson say “uh oh” today for the first time, going to sleep at night feeling I did my very best on that day, snuggling, long wonderful free Sunday!

  5. Barb McMahon says:

    Bliss! The thought of a nine month old saying “uh oh” makes me smile.

  6. Barb McMahon says:

    I just love all these bonuses! Thanks for sharing, everyone!

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