Tiny Joys, Big Peace: Noticing the Sacred in the Everyday

I am not someone who loves movies to the exclusion of all else. Or sits down to watch series as quickly as they are released. Part of the reason is because reading books takes up a lot of my entertainment time, overthinking used to take up another significant part, and last of all, because I still remember getting very angry at Nickelodeon when they abruptly stopped showing episodes of the Victorious series.

I loved that show and it broke my heart when out of nowhere, it got cancelled. And then a couple years later, I had to watch Sam (from iCarly) and Cat (from Victorious) try to pretend they liked each other and really wanted to create a super rocking fun time babysitting service. The audacity!

So, I usually take some time when diving into a new series. I need to make sure that the Hollywood machine does not just cancel it, that there are not many consistency breaks, and that it’s a good, fun watch.

I usually seek out rom coms, shows that make me laugh while incorporating some learning points for me, or shows with badass female leads, like The Equalizer. I get such a rush from Queen Latifah/Dana Owens beating, choking, slamming, and shooting bad guys. And it’s an exception too.

Normally, I would wait until a show had gone into syndication for a couple of years even before I decide to give it a watch. Now, I have to contend with the angst of one of my favourite shows being canceled. Once again. Someone hold me. This is painful.

But it’s Queen Latifah. I love her. I adore that woman. Enough to follow her to another channel, whether movie or series, and onto another role in her multi-faceted range. Whether she’s singing, or being an entrepreneur, or a thief, a hair dressser or a musician, I love seeing her in everything. This is a Queen Latifah/Dana Owens appreciation post. She deserves every prop. She deserves to win the EGOT. She deserves to rake in money by the truckload. She deserves it all.

Getting to the point of the post, there are some movies that when they are showed on the TV, I stop changing the channels, drop whatever else I’m doing (if I’m not at work) and pay attention. Even though I’ve watched it 60 times before. Even though I can recite all the lines verbatim. One of those is Bride Wars (2009). 

I can still remember watching it with one of my older cousins. And I can remember crying laughing. The premise for the movie is silly as all get out. But it’s one that gave me a bunch of laughs, so I laugh before I fuss. And the fight scene, chef’s kiss. I love(d) it.

Watching old, classic movies gives me a sense of safety, of nostalgia, of peace. No matter how much the world changes, how it moves and turns, how many times I overthink instead of praying, how many AIs get developed to take the place of our jobs, no matter how many kakistocratic, fascist governments come into power, there will always be a place for creativity, and the human touch. If you have a contrary opinion, I don’t particularly want to know. 

It brings me joy and peace, my thoughts. I don’t need anyone to take that away. 

Life is already so unpredictable, so fraught with missed opportunities, and coulda shoulda wouldas, that when I find some peace, some joy, I hold on tightly and don’t let it go. Not for anything in the world. A while back, I had a realization, that if you do not snatch up joy from the little things, if you do not notice the sacred peace in everyday, you will hurt. And you will suffer. Maybe this is not for everyone. Maybe it is because I am sensitive, and sweet that I notice these things.

Life is long when you’re struggling. 

So this is a reminder, to you, for the future, and to myself, old movies make you feel good. Paired with a cup of lemon and ginger tea, or if you feel like, hot cocoa and shortbread make you feel great, happy, right as rain. They take you away from your disconcertedness, your worry about the future, and give you loads of peace, and joy. 

And we always need more peace and joy. Always.

Love, light, and chicken and waffles. 

It used to be love, light, and pancakes, I used but I’m mixing it up.

I love you!