Passionate About Little Joys

I'm the sort of girl who gets excited about a pretty postage stamp, a heart rock, a handful of thistles from tiny loving hand. I'm the silly Momma who will sing loudly and off-key just to get a laugh - or a groan. I'm the teacher who has a party the last Friday of every month - because a month of learning is worth celebrating. I'm the aunt who accidentally embarrasses her nephew because she can't help but cheer for both T-ball teams.

I believe that it is the small things that make a life. That adding small joy + tiny moment + quirky thrill + easy delight = a life well lived. A life full of happiness.

I believe that life is rich and full only when we take the time to count our blessings, to notice all that is wonderful in this world, and to say "thank you" for all we've been given.

I am passionate about the little things that bring joy, a smile, a moment of pleasure or recognition. I choose to live this way. Yes, I get just as annoyed as anyone else. Yes, I have bad days and struggles and stress.

But.

I am a woman who has been blessed. And I know it. And I choose to focus on those things. I choose to live a celebratory life. I choose to be delighted rather than jaded. Enthusiastic rather than bored. Happy rather than frustrated. I do fall off my own bandwagon - far too often. But, when I do, I choose to climb right back on. I choose joy. I'll say it again.

I choose joy!! I choose little things! I choose delight!!

And. Because I love my dear readers and I love lists, I offer you a list of delightful little things, precious tiny moments. For you. For me. To savor. To add to. To help us all choose joy.

Easy Delights
* blowing dandelion heads * reading aloud * music, music, music * the funny way a song can get caught in your head * finding a new magazine in your mailbox * a pen that feels just right in your hand * that Rice Krispies really do "snap, crackle, pop" * double rainbows * rewatching Disney Sunday Night movies - and still laughing * the way a child will tell you a "joke I just made up" that was old the first time you heard it years ago * the smell of freshly mown grass * family movie night * when you fill up your gas tank and realize that gas has gone down 2 cents a gallon * a brand new toothbrush * the "Kshhhhhhhhhhh" sound when you pop the tab on a soda can * tossing a Koosh ball * Spring sunshine * freshly painted piggies in strappy little sandals * windblown hair * daffodil borders * an email just to say, "Hello, friend." * the smell of a used bookstore * the ticklish feel of a really good sneeze * love notes signed with Xs and Os * laughing till you need to pee * second grade tooty humor * the tickle of grass on newly bared feet * bird feeder antics * mooing loudly at any cow you happen to be near (note: they always look up) * that slightly-embarrassed feeling you get when you realize a Far Side comic applies directly to you * the delicious way laughter feels when it is inappropriate, say in church * a pretty rock, shaped just like a heart, an egg, or a rock * slipping food scraps to a neighborhood dog * a personal letter via snail mail * lists * daydreaming * doodling * a new coloring book * swinging * the delighted smile when a child earns a medal or a trophy * Easter bonnets on tiny heads * art walks, art shows, art museums, art galleries *bubble gum flavored toothpaste * expressing appreciation * crunchy, juicy apples * the start of strawberry season *animals * books * a puzzle table * grandmas * stuffed animals (the best invention in the whole world, according to Sloane) * a new box of 64 Crayola crayons * strawberry or banana Laffy Taffy * pipe cleaner crafts * root beer in a frosty mug * hot coco on a day when you've been rolling in the snow * blog and Flickr friends * simple kindness * generosity * balloons * stick ponies that neigh when you squeeze their ear * treating yourself to pretty office supplies instead of settling for the plain ones * kids running around in homemade masks * noticing the scent of things * the pleasure of a fleece blanket on a chilly night * the purr of a cat * the lick of a dog * someone to listen to your stories * hugs * hugs * hugs * kisses * laughter *kisses * hugs * hugs * hugs *
What's delights are on your list? Happy Spring, dear friends.



All pictures are by Yvette Inufio and are used with permission. Please visit her Etsy shop to bring some of her talent into your home. Nearly twenty years ago, I bought a book called 14,000 Things To Be Happy About. Talk about a perfect book. Grab a copy for yourself, won't you?