It’s the simple things.
Ever hear that phrase?
Maybe you heard it from Albert Einstein, “The important things are always simple” or “Make everything in life simple as possible but not simpler”.
Or a sweet verse from Robert Louis Stevenson, “The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars but do life’s plain common work as it comes certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life.”
In any form, it can take a trained mind and eye to enjoy the simple things.
But what if those simple things lose their glimmer in your eyes?
I can relate.
THINGS CHANGE
You see, may you feel that glimmer is stolen from you because of a death, a lie revealed, a broken relationship, a diagnosis.
You get the idea.
Then, counting joy becomes hard… a facade.
Maybe you have felt this? I hope not.
But truth be told, this life is littered with pits at times, and I think we can all relate.
Loula anxiously waiting for her people to come back out of the library. I love her sweet soul.
While I lived the epitome of finding simple joys for forty-five years and truly endless hope in others, I’ve had to take a step back the last three years.
The facade of what I thought to be crumbled and now I’m building back a healthier me in more ways than one.
I want that for you too.
Instead of a flicker in my heart when hearing someone’s voice dissolves to anxiety and heightened awareness that causes my soul to spin. That is when those simple things become BIG, GIANT things.
Things that I didn’t want a part of me anymore.
Or maybe much like worrying about your current health situation, a financial loss that will take oh so much time to recover from.
Thankfully, by God’s grace, we can treasure this time of learning, dissecting, protecting, and healing.
What does that look like?
CHANGE OF VIEW
Instead of a smile from a delicate tiny flower, you now stare at in a dissociative state.
It’s a process.
Then, when you peel back the layers of pain and confusion, you begin to see your own self as someone who needs to PAUSE.
That pause can mean quiet time, exercise, saying no, a nap, and slowing down.
It doesn’t mean isolation for extended periods of time. Though, isolation can appear to feel good and is needed in increments.
After you begin to feel the shift in your countenance back to a peaceful person, those simple things flow back into your life.
However, they may present a different sort of draw to you this time around.
They offer solace, a lightened heart, a renewed vision for what is around you.
And often, it’s slower this time and you may not feel it EVERY day.
Now, you see that you have a choice to choose joy.
In many ways, I feel that I was happily naive for most of my life not believing people to be evil as some would say.
That there is good in everyone and I just need to help them see it.
While that’s not a bad way to be, it depletes the life of the person who is persistent in making significant the simple things for others.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
With these thoughts in mind, I ask you to share what simple things you see RIGHT NOW.
Is it your furry family member resting beside you?
Lily is often standoffish, but when I went to take my nap on MY bed, she cuddled up and warmed me with her sweet toe beans.
Or could it be the sun shining on your face.
Even gazing at the resting sunset as you bid the day goodbye.
It’s a lovely to fall asleep listing a few random simple things that you can give thanks for. Tuck them away in your heart.
What is more, invite others around you to savor the joys. It is CONTAGIOUS.
As a mother, I’ve always made time to point out the wonders around us. At the same time, there are times I see them and let them slip by because my load is weighing heavy.
That is okay.
The key is to know each hour, each, each day, each week, we can make a choice that no one can take away. “…for joy runs deeper than despair” ~ Corrie ten Boom.
SHARE
Consider yourself invited to share your simple thing. In the meantime, pin and share, and even invite others to join in.
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While you’re at it, here are posts related to simple things:
I’m grateful for your post as it reminded me of a practice I have neglected this summer. I love to sit out on the deck and view the stars each night before going to bed. The grandeur of the night sky (when visible…we had lots of wildfire smoke from Canada this summer that obscured viewing) and the wonder of it all reminds me how BIG God is…and that He is more than adequate to care for little ole’ me. ❤️
ooh… that’s a good one. I do the same. Just walk out in the quiet and be still. Good on ya.
I found joy today walking in the park and playing ball with my dog.
Thank you, Lynn. Those times are always blissful for Loula and I too.
I’ve always told my son, it’s the simple things in life that make me happy. It really hit after I got a divorce. I realized I want enjoying the simple things in life, but I was being controlled to believe I was enjoying them. Now, I can honestly say, yes, it’s the simple things in life. Like going outside and drawing and painting. I could never do that when I was married.
I can relate on so many levels, Terri. Good on you for finding the joy in little things. I’m still savoring them but still feel duped in many ways. It’s a learning process for me. Sending hugs.
I love your words of wisdom and encouragement. You have come such a long way in a short time. YAY! It’s so good to stop, take care of ourselves, and reflect. When I was recovering from my 2nd divorce (he was an alcoholic that blamed me for everything) I had to take life one hour at a time. It became a regular thing for me when commuting to and from work to pray and thank God for all the good things (little things) in life. It was a wonderful way to turn my focus away from the bad. When I was really struggling, I found that if I went to the coast and just looked at the beauty and grandeur of the ocean, that all my troubles seemed so small when faced with all that power of God’s creation. Being from Oregon, the coast is my favorite place, but even a walk in the woods is very healing and calming. Thank you so much for reminding us to stop and appreciate the little things. You are AWESOME!!!
Thank you, Jill. What a journey you’ve had as well and I’m so glad you’re finding your way. Life definitely comes with twists and turns, ups and downs, doesn’t it?