Sometimes we get sidetracked in life. There’s so much going on around us, we become distracted and it takes a huge jolt to capture our attention.
Why is it we wait for big things to bring us happiness? We let phrases dictate our lives like, “If I win the lotto…” or “Once I get that big promotion…” or “Someday, when I retire…”
Sound familiar?
I’m sitting at my computer this morning enjoying my first cup of coffee of the day and I couldn’t be happier. I got out of bed this morning and everything worked. I could walk, talk (sing if I wanted to, though no one would want to listen), taste, see, and smell. I decided that was a great start for the day in the Marshall household. And I felt joyful. Yes, I really did.
Joyful.
I didn’t need a knock at the door and someone offering me a million dollar Publisher’s Clearing House super-sized check to be happy. Today I felt grateful for what I have. Since those big glorious moments only rarely happen in life, if ever, it might be a good idea to shift our attention to the simple things for our daily infusion of joy.
Here are a few of the small pleasures that bring me true and constant joy:
That first cup of coffee each morning
Looking out my kitchen window at the hill behind my house
Oatmeal and fresh blueberries
Rubbing dog ears (any dog will do)
Touching cat noses (if they’ll let me)
Taking long walks, especially on cool, sunny days
Opening the first page of a new book and getting swept away
Getting a goofy LOL e-mail from one of my buddies
Seeing an outstanding movie (sometimes this one is a challenge)
Smelling dinner cooking in the oven (especially if someone else has put it there)
What are the little things in life that bring you happiness? Care to share a few with us?
One of the great things about the Special Edition line at Harlequin is, no matter what our background is – good family life, bad family life, anywhere in between – while we read SE we can forget about our personal circumstances and share in the joys and challenges of the families and characters created by so many talented authors and be assured of a happy ending. I don’t know about you, but that brings me a nice big slice of everyday joy.
Until next time,
Lynne,
I can tell we’re kindred spirits…I used to keep a gratitude journal. It really made me aware of just how much I have to be thankful for.
Okay, a few things that bring me pleasure:
Taking a walk with my husband
Waking up to find a dog has jumped on the bed and is cuddled against me
Hearing the cat purr softly while sitting “by” me while I write (but not on my keyboard–that’s a whole other emotion lol)
Having a cup of really good coffee
Reading a book that makes me sigh and smile at the end.
Hi Cindy – I love the idea of a gratitude journal, and I love your list of simple joys.
Someday, maybe we can share a great cup of coffee together.
Hi, Lynne–
Your list was good. Lots of my happy things are on it. I love campfires with a crowd of family around it roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Which leads to kids’ laughter, my all-time favorite thing. I love the sights, sounds and scents of baseball games. Yesterday I made gingerbread with lemon sauce to take to my MIL and her three current roommates in a rehab hospital, and I loved how they all said “ummmm” as they ate. The simple things make me happiest.
Susan
Hi Susan – great list. Children’s laughter. Oh, I love. I also loved camping with the kids when they were growing up – the campfire was always the best. Lots of other parts of camping weren’t quite as fun, though. LOL. It’s hard work to prepare for those trips and what a mess of laundry when we came home
I’d say umm if I had a piece of that gingerbread with lemon sauce, too!
Here are a few small pleasures of mine.
A big mug of chai tea.
Watching our little dog chase a bunny twice his size, it’s hilarious.
Watching Disney channel with my 2 year old grandson.
Reading a good book.
Sitting in the shade with a cool breeze blowing.
Eating a piece of cheesecake.
These things always make me happy.
I love your list, Linda. I’m a Chai Tea lover, too. Sometimes, there’s just nothing like a good cup of Chai. Today, I sure could use a little of that blowing breeze.
That’s a great list of things to be happy about. I try to take notice of the small things in life that bring me joy too. Here’s a short list:
The view of the Catskill Mountains from my office window.
My dogs waking me up with lots of puppy kisses and hugs.
Reading a book in my backyard hammock.
Seeing spring bulbs poking up through the snow.
Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate on a cold day.
Sitting on my front porch swing watching a thunderstorm.
Watching kids playing in the snow.
Just listing those things makes me happy. Thanks for reminding me!
I love your list, Laura. My husband misses thunderstorms so much. He’s an east coast native. We just don’t get those big thunderstorms out here in California.
I really miss my doggie kisses each morning. Our family dog has been gone a whole year now, but he sure could kiss and greet each morning!
I’m so glad this blog lifted your mood.
I love giving thanks, quietly of course. Top on my list is:
Being grateful for the days when my knees don’t act up.
The smell of the earth after rain.
Laughing with friends.
A barbeque with my Aussie family.
Bubble baths.
I have a lot more, but we’ll run out of space. : )
Hi Robena – I know what you mean about running out of space. There is so much to be grateful for.
I like your list, and hope today is one of those days where your knees behave.
Today must be happiness blog day, Lynne! A writer friend of mine is talking about the same thing on another site today. Wouldn’t it be nice if happiness went viral? Here’s my list : My daughter’s voice and listening to her play the flute. The beach. Typing “The End” on a work in progress and looking forward to the next book. Corgi dogs and shy cats. Cool fall weather. Old family photos. Art journaling. Strawberries, champagne, and key lime truffles from Godiva Chocolatier. Paris in the springtime…Paris in the fall. Okay, sorry, I got a little carried away there.
Still, even writing this list made me smile. Thank you for that!
Hi Nancy – I got happy and smiled reading your list, too! I’d love for joy to go viral. Great idea.
Thanks so much for your perseverance with trying to comment here today. Word has it there has been some bad juju going on in cyberspace today.
Yum on the Godiva key lime truffles. Gotta try those one day.
Great blog, Lynne. This is going to sound strange, but I’ve just learned how to make poached eggs. And I love them. I love sunshine. I love rainbows. I love rainbows. I love rainbows.
I love a BATH. Thank God for simple pleasures! xoxo
Hi Leanne,
I love poached eggs (yay for you learning how to make them) and rainbows, too.
One of the things that eased my empty nest when both kids left home was the fact that I could take a bath with the door open and watch TV down the hall. LOL. It’s true!
i know this may be cheesy but i love it when my nephews are in “sweet” mode and will come up and sit in my lap and love on me….or my cats
Amy – thanks for trying one more time to get through today. I totally agree that sometimes nephews and nieces can be as tough to make contact with as many household cats.
I called my grand nieces the other day, and it was so wonderful to talk easity with them and to hear them say “I love you” without being prompted by their mother before we hung up.
Simple things matter, and your stopping by to comment means a lot to me, Amy. Thanks!
Hi Lynne – what a fabulous post. On my list I have – being on the beach with my horse Zeb and just walking along slowly. Watching sci-fi movies with my hubby. Seeing sugar cane burning at dusk from my back deck and smelling the sugary scent on the wind. Puppies . . . any puppies!
Oh, Helen, I love your list. I am so in awe of horses, yet have had minimal contact with them. I can only imagine how wonderful it must feel to walk with your horse on the beach.
Sounds like a beautiful fairy tale. Plus puppies!
Great happiness makers, Lynne! I love…coming home. Just got home from my plot group in Las Vegas. So nice to be back in my own little world.
The information and the detail were just perfect. I think that your perspective is deep
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