Friday, January 24, 2014

It's the little things....

Here is a non-exhaustive list of things that bring me joy, in no particular order.  Sometimes, on rough days, it helps to remind myself of all the things in my life that make me happy.

God has blessed me so richly, just through the many simple pleasures He allows me to enjoy every day.

I'm going to stop at 20, not because I could not think of more, but because I need to have a reasonable stopping point.

I challenge you to make your own list to refer back when you need a pick-me-up.  It will really help more than you think.

1) Hearing someone I love say, "I love you, Jess" and reveling in the comfort of that truth.

2) Reading a Bible passage multiple times and catching something new each time.

3) Singing in church-- specifically "It Is Well With My Soul," "Abide with Me," "Purer in Heart," "Sing and Be Happy," "Ten Thousand Angels," "The Greatest Command," "Come Share the Lord," "As the Deer Pants," "Thy Word," "Night with Ebon Pinion," "Soldiers of Christ, Arise," "We Will Glorify," "The Battle Belongs to the Lord," "Holy, Holy, Holy".... and this could go on so I'll stop.

4) Singing.  Period.  All day.  Any day.  Any thing.  Music is my second love.

5) Good food.  Cooking it for others.  Eating it.  Finding the joy in sharing a meal or trying something new.

6) Clean sheet Tuesday.

7) Grass.  Specifically, bluegrass.  The smell, the feel, pulling it between my toes.  Lying in it in the warm sun.

8) Coffee.  All kinds, but especially anything from Caribou.  And fresh ground.

9) My brother's laugh.

10) The smell of my dad:  Downy, cigarette smoke, and wintergreen mints.

11) When I am home for a visit and my mama kisses me goodnight.

12) Holding a sleeping baby.

13) Soothing a crying baby.

14) Hearing any child laugh.

15) Making another person smile.

16) Writing/sending cards and letters.

17) Speaking French or hearing it in places I least expect.

18) Sable frambroise, true cafe au lait, foie gras, charcoutrie, fromage blanc, crepes with nutella and bananas, gallettes... and this could go on too..

19 )Movies (Old, new, any) Musicals.  Snuggling with the dog watching one on a Sunday night.  Taking myself to the movies with Milk Duds and pop corn.  Or if I'm on a date... that silly thing that you do where you keep purposefully brushing each other in the dark, just so your hands can connect.

20) Skiing while snow is falling.

Oh.... I can't stop there..... let's make it 25.

21) Baking goodies for displaced people who stay in the shelter next to my work.

22) Explaining the law to someone and seeing what I tell them actually make a difference.

23)  The lines a vacuum makes in the carpet.

24) Kisses on my forehead.

25) Sweating through my shirt during a workout or a race....  and crossing the finish line.



What are the little things that bring you joy??    

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