Posts tagged Old Friends

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)

American Author of Little Home on the Prairie Series

Living in the same place, going through the same motions day after day often leaves us numb to our surroundings. Sometimes it does require a geographical move to shake us up or a change in our health or relationships. Mostly, it requires us to pay attention and be clear about our intentions; the intention that we want to enjoy the simple things in life that give us most pleasure.

In moving to another culture, we became amazed at the joy we were getting from the simple things in life. To name a few, we treasured.

Carrying colorful straw baskets everywhere.Eating good tasting fresh fruit and vegetables.Walking our daughter to school – versus being in the car all of the time.Being successfully understood when conversing in French.Cooking a scrumptious meal made from seasonal foods.Sticking our head out the window to smell the fresh air and try to catch a speeding swallow.Picking lavender on our walks or fresh figs from the nearby orchards.Sitting in an outdoor cafe’.Shopping in the farmer’s markets for seasonal food at great prices.Reading together on the couch every night.Driving through the round-a-bouts versus stopping at red lights.Being pushed out of our comfort zones all the time (we became enthusiasts of trying new things).Drinking great, local French wine.Talking to old friends and family back in California.Meeting new friends.

A few tips that help in being able to enjoy the simple things life offers:

– Get rid of clutter in your life, in your house, and in your mind.

Wherever there is clutter there is no room to see what is in front of you and sense deeper aspects of life. Start by taking the time to clean out the physical clutter around you – anything you haven’t used in the past year is obscuring your vision from enjoying what you do have.

– Surround yourself with supportive people (and be aware of negative people and energy).

You can’t appreciate the simple things around you when it is clouded with negative energy. Whether it is your own or other people’s – get rid of it or minimally compartmentalize it so it isn’t pervasive in your life.

– Focus on what you are doing and who you are with.

Distractions deter you from both seeing, hearing, feeling, and smelling the simple joys in life. The more you are able to be present in the moment, the more you are able to enjoy the treasures of the moment.

– Make a list of all the simple things you enjoy and make sure you enjoy at least one of them daily and more weekly.

By making a list of the simple things you enjoy, you begin to focus on making sure they are in your life. Whether it is cooking a special meal, planting a garden, walking hand-in-hand with your child, or reading a good book, state the intention that you want in your life. What we pay attention to we make time for and create.

– Take yourself out of your comfort zone and experience new simple pleasures.

Travel is one of the easiest ways to take yourself out of your comfort zone and experience so many new simple pleasures. Closer to home, meander over to a new hiking trail you have never been on or try tuning into a new radio station. Try something new and different, such as inviting some unknown neighbors over for a glass of wine or a cup of tea, and be surprised about the smile that it brings to you and others.