Photo credit:
mimbrava, flickr
How do happiness and joy relate to living a more environmentally friendly life? If we are busy trying to ward off pain, or worry, or unhappiness, we are less likely to be aware of the good things happening around us. If we are peaceful and serene, we are also less likely to buy unnecessary things to fill whatever spaces exist in our lives.
Philosophy aside, appreciating small moments of joy, watching for them, can have an amazingly healing effect on even the most hectic day.
Small things to try to appreciate today:
1. Weather - Taking a moment to watch the sky and breathe can lift a heavy heart. Alternatively, click through our weather photo contest entries and appreciate the beauty.
2. Children - Those loud, hungry rabble-rousers are authors of so much happiness and joy if one is quiet and still long enough. My favorite part of each day is when my youngest comes into my office, holds out her arms, and sits in my lap for her morning snuggle.
3. Eat quietly and taste every bite - Yesterday, Karen wrote about the joys of oatmeal. Imagine taking time each day to savor your breakfast, rather than cramming it on your way out the door.
4. Read a beautiful poem - Reading an inspirational poem or thought for the day can lift your spirit and give you renewed energy. Need a recommendation? Try Emily Dickinson or e.e. cummings.
5. Watch for kindness - Appreciating small moments of kindness as they occur within our families or at the grocery store or at work helps counteract all the bad news and is a fun way to distract us from our personal woes.
What are the small things that make your day?
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As a photographer (thanks, Rachel, for using my candle shot), I find delight in seeing how late afternoon light hits budding maple trees or the intricacies of a flower seen close up or with petals backlit. I also like puns and poetry and finding ways to laugh or make others smile. My 8-pound Pomeranian Zoe Bear is a small thing that brings me much joy.
As an editor, I do not like when I misspell names. Sorry, Rachael!
I agree. Let us find those small pleasures every day. Like Mim, I too find the joy in photography and tend to focus on the small parts that often go unnoticed. And I have become quite fond of spending a bit of time each evening deciding which photo I will post the next day, reflecting on my mood, what message I want to share, then finding an appropriate quote or poem fragment to accompany it.
When we are out, no matter where be it the park or grocery store or just walking along the street, my husband invariably finds some young child to watch. His face lights up. Mine lights up watching him watching them. That is pure joy.
There is much to celebrate each day. Just opening our hearts a little let's all sorts of joy in.
Talking with my neighbors while I'm in the front yard with the kids makes my day and keeps me feeling connected to my community. The kids made almond shortbread with me the other day and crazy-decorated it with sprinkles and thumbprints galore. When we finally dusted all the flour off, we delivered our collective (messy!) kitchen comfort to two neighbors going through difficult times. The kids felt good. So, I guess I'd have to add cheering up others to my list of simple things that make me (and my brood) feel really, really good.
Writing a poem each day helps me process my feelings and stay grounded in my life. Connecting with others for a moment in a meaningful way is a real life saver! Feeding my birds and squirrels is key as well. have an ever so beautiful day Rachael, i love this piece!