The Sacred Ordinary
Welcome to my monthly newsletter, Attunement!
Each month we “tune into” a theme related to mindfulness and
explore a creative practice and tune based on this theme!
This month of August we’re TUNING INTO the frequency of:
THE SACRED ORDINARY.
"The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them." -Paulo Coelho
I recently watched the movie Perfect Days. It follows Hirayama, a man who works cleaning public toilets in Tokyo. The film tracks the gentle, uncomplicated rhythms of his life—waking up early, watering his plants, listening to old cassette tapes, enjoying simple meals, reading good books, and occasionally taking photos of the natural world as he encounters it in his days (specifically, the sunlight peeking through the leaves of the trees).
Hirayama moves through the world with quiet intention and deep presence. Every small act—wiping a mirror, folding a towel, taking a bite of lunch, listening to a song, or gazing up at sunlight through trees—feels sacred to him.
Watching Perfect Days reminded me how easy it is to miss the everyday moments that quietly shape our lives. We’re often chasing the next big thing, waiting for milestones, or longing to relive a highlight from the past—like a great trip. In fact, I watched this film on the plane ride home from a beautiful getaway to California with my husband. Message received.
The truth is, beauty is already here. It’s in the ordinary, if we remember to look.
That’s really the heart of mindfulness—learning to be present for what’s happening right now. Not just during a formal seated meditation session or on a walk outside on a beautiful day, but in the small "ordinary" moments of life: tying our shoes, sipping our coffee, standing in line.
This week, you might experiment with turning one or more of your normal actions into a sacred ritual by imbuing it with mindful presence, wonder, or appreciation.
Creative Mindfulness Practice: Noticing the Sacred Ordinary
What if nothing in your day was too small to matter?
What if the sacred wasn’t something rare—but something right in front of you, waiting to be seen?
What you’ll need:
A phone or camera
15–30 minutes of unhurried time
A sense of curiosity
Take a Slow Walk—Anywhere:
This can be your backyard, your neighborhood, your kitchen, even your workplace. Move slowly and with awareness, as if seeing everything for the first time.Let Something Catch Your Eye:
Instead of looking for something “impressive,” wait for something simple to catch your attention—a sidewalk crack, light on a coffee mug, a sock on the floor, a tree branch.Pause and Appreciate:
Before you take the photo, pause. Let yourself really see the object or scene. What draws you in? What emotion or memory does it stir?Take a Photo:
You might try different angles or just take one quick shot. No need to be fancy.Reflect:
After 3–5 photos, pause again and reflect:What did you notice about how you were seeing the world?
Did anything shift internally as you practiced?
What made these “ordinary” things feel sacred?
Optional: Share or Print Your Photos
Consider making a collage or posting one image with a short reflection. Or just keep them for yourself as a quiet altar to the everyday.
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This Month’s Tune 🎵:
Each month I share a tune that resonates with the newsletter theme.
For this month’s theme of THE SACRED ORDINARY, I've chosen "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan. It's a reflection on the quiet beauty and wonder of everyday life. You can listen to "Ordinary Miracle" here on YouTube, or anywhere you stream music.
Wishing you an (extra)ordinary August!
