Delighting in the Round Little Things

I’m not talking about rings, Cheerios, or hula hoops. I’m talking about doughnuts. But not just any doughnuts. The circles of love made fresh from the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company at the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. If you like fresh doughnuts then you need to get on Travelocity right now and book a flight to Seattle and go get some of these doughnuts.

Two Octobers ago Jason and I went to Seattle for some speaking gigs. We happened upon this doughnut stand at the Market and have never been the same since.

The coolest thing about eating these circles of joy is the experience. As you wait in the (well-worth-it) long line, you are allowed the appropriate amount of time to pine after them, as you watch the very doughnuts you will be eating being made. You share glances with the others who are also waiting with great anticipation, bonding moments. The smells alone are worth the small price you pay. Then, when you finally get to the “doughnut guy,” he does this cool snap with the bag that puts a smile on your face. His quick hand fills the bag that will soon be yours. It is an experience!

When I heard that we were heading back to Seattle, I immediately thought of the “doughnut guy” and made a mental commitment to delight in that experience again. This time we came equipped with the full appreciation of what were about to encounter, as well as a camera.

Here’s the clip. I wish I could share with you the tastes and smells.

It is about doughnuts but it’s just as much about the experience. Well done to that businessman, who is remarkable and is seeing success because of his efforts. Well done to all of us who stand in line for that experience. We all need to delight in the things that bring us this much joy! Kids just naturally do this. There are so many things that keep us from delighting- comfort zones, fear, calories, embarrassment.

As we inch closer to the ball dropping in Times Square again, let’s recognize the things that bring us the biggest smiles and do more of those things.

[tags]Pike Place Market, Seattle, Daily Dozen Doughnut Company, Travelocity, Times Square, delighting in the little things, doughnuts, joy[/tags]