I just got off the phone with a new friend who is facing a lot of challenges. She is as sweet as her troubles are heavy, and the hope in her voice had me inspired and moved.
We love to talk about living simply, but the human experience is rarely this way. We want to commit ourselves to one thing only, and yet that one thing encompasses many smaller things that tug us in different directions.
Simplicity is a choice amidst a reality that is far from simple.
I don’t advocate shutting ourselves to the troubles of the world in the name of simplicity— in fact, I insist on the opposite. I insist on shedding the excess in order to be involved with the greater struggles of our families, friends, and communities.
We all walk through seasons that are characterized by myriad emotions that entangle our hearts. We all experience the mess of what it means to be connected to loved ones. We face the interconnectedness of our decisions and their impact on others. There’s no escaping the fact that despite our pursuit of simplicity, life often deals us the opposite.
There is no truly simple narrative for a life that is involved in the right things. The right things call on us to make difficult decisions and sacrifices.
But in the meantime, there’s simple joy. There are those moments of ecstasy we can cherish in the midst of defeat and confusion. Let’s celebrate life no matter what– those celebrations can be simple.
25 Simple Joys For Not-So-Simple Days
1) The long, sweet hug of a best friend.
2) Fresh cut flowers.
3) A softly strummed guitar.
4) The scent of a new book.
5) Children on the playground.
6) A hot shower on a cold day.
7) An after-dinner walk.
8) A phone conversation with an old friend.
9) The smell of the pavement after rain.
10) Excellent espresso.
11) Driving without traffic.
12) Sitting by the ocean.
13) A perfectly-baked cookie
14) A word of encouragement.
15) Your favorite song on the radio.
16) Quiet, un-rushed mornings.
17) Freshly blow-dried hair.
18) Farmer’s market produce.
19) The knowing smile of a friend in a crowded room.
20) Genuine laughter.
21) Old photographs and good memories.
22) Sleeping in.
23) Shade on a hot day.
24) An unexpected postcard.
25) A true day of rest.
These are really nice joys. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Lucie http://www.inbluebox.com
Wow, all of these are amazing! I am pinning this for future reference so I can look back on it when I have a really stressful day. Thank you so much for sharing!
The simple things are often the best! Sitting down with a cup of coffee and a book, that is heavenly to me.
So perfect! I love it. All of these things bring so much joy. One of my simplest pleasures it’s clean sheets. I LOVE to get in the bed after a shower when I’ve just washed my sheets. 😀
Ah thanks Pia! You are too kind.
Couldn’t agree more!
This post was the perfect thing to read in the morning. Thank you for this perfection! I agree that looking at simple nice things can be such a mood lifter.
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
That is so true! These simple joys are powerful. Thanks so much for stopping by, Holly!
Wow, I’m so blown away by everything you’ve walked through, Jeannette– and how you’ve emerged wiser, brighter, and braver. Thanks for sharing the story about your daughter in the hospital– that must have been an extremely stressful and scary time for you all. You are so right that it’s in those times when we discover that true joy doesn’t have to mean health, wealth, and frivolous things; hearing the steady breath of a loved one is enough. You’ve warmed my heart with your comments, as always, friend! I so appreciate you!
Absolutely! So glad you enjoy those too– and gratitude journaling is a habit I’ve been meaning to cultivate, so thanks for that reminder! I hope this weekend was restful for you. 🙂
I love love love that too! Especially in the evenings, when all I want is to be home.
so true! I love hearing people’s stories, and I do think about potential stories all the time. Being in touch with the stories of others does make our lives seem less crazy!
Ah thanks girl! And absolutely– we need to wash our sheets… hahaha
That’s fantastic Laura! I love those unusual days when we can just take time to relax with people we love.
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that Kristin! I hope your day turned out okay, and that this weekend was relaxing!
Thanks Jill! 🙂
Thank you Stephie! And I completely agree about hot tea… mmmm. Thanks for stopping by!
Ah thanks Melanie, I’m glad you enjoyed this piece. I hope that the stress in your life abates a bit. In the meantime, there are always these small things that make us smile!
Oh yes, I agree with that one! I love making people laugh, even if it’s at my own expense.
Ahhh, yes – all of the above. Sometimes the simplest things are the only things that can put a smile on your face on those days when you get the blues.
Hello Beautiful Daisy! Loved this post as much as I love anything you write. I must say you possess a very special talent and I have no doubts that one day you will get to be a #1 best selling author. I can see it coming! From my very own personal experience I can say that it is during challenging and difficult times that we get to experience the most joyful moments in life. It is when we finally look within and find the place where true happiness and peace can only be found. As an example, it was during the time when my youngest daughter was going through mayor health issues and I had to spend months in the hospital with her that I got to experience simple but very joyful moments in my life. Being in the hospital with her while going through so much emotional pain taught me and also allowed me to find beauty and joy in simple things. Like celebrating Christmas eve next to my daughter helping her open gifts: like staring at the hospital room ceiling for hours while listening to my daughter’s breathing at the same time I gave thanks to God for her life. And the list goes on and on but this post you wrote Daisy was so right on point. It is actually during the toughest moments in our lives that we find true love, peace and joy in the smallest things but most importantly, it is when we find ourselves. You are so amazing Daisy! God bless you now and always my sweet friend! XOXO, Jeannette
http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com
A true day of rest, genuine laughter, a long hug, YES!! Many of these are on my gratitude journal because they are the small things that make your day. Thank you for sharing these! Especially on a Friday when I’m exhausted and needed something inspiring to read.
I love somehow hitting every green light on the way home from work. I know it’s silly, but it really eases up my entire day. (; Have a lovely weekend Daisy!
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to think about all of the people that are in an airplane flying overhead. Where are they going, what are their lives like? It’s just so fascinating to me, and makes me think about what other people might be going through. Maybe that’s weird, idk haha. But it definitely helps put things into perspective and even distracts me a little bit from whatever problem I might be facing.
I love every single one of these. Especially a perfectly baked cookie and fresh flowers and the smell of a new book. 🙂 Another favorite for me is freshly washed sheets. There’s something about crawling into a bed of fresh sheets that makes me feel so happy!
yesterday happened to be one of the simple days! my hubby is on break from college, so we were able to spend the whole day doing absolutely nothing.
So many of these things made me smile and made my day, which promises to be REALLY hectic, feel a little easier. I’m printing this list and sticking it on my office wall.
love this so much!
This is a gorgeous post, I think I would add, taking 5 minutes to boil the kettle and a moment to breathe with a cup of tea!
Stephie from Tea in your Twenties xx
http://teainyourtwenties.com
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! I’m going through an incredibly stressful period of my life right now and while the end is thankfully already in sight I just needed that nudge of encouragement to keep going. I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
Driving without traffic is so lovely, it makes driving with traffic that much harder! I think my favourite joy is making someone laugh or smile.