It's the simple things

I once knew a woman, the most well-adjusted person I've ever known, more comfortable in her own skin than anyone I've known since, and so one day I asked her, "How do you do it?"

"Well, I just try to find joy in the simple things."

Maybe a good approach.

What simple things give you joy?

MRFAndover said:

What a fantastic question. When I remember that, I am definitely more comfortable in my skin. But lately, I've been forgetting and fretting.

Yesterday, when I was hiking in the woods with my dog, I saw a small orange-capped fungus peaking out from under a leaf. That was a moment when I forgot myself--a definite moment of joy.

Thank you, Maze Runner, for reminding me!

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So important to take your joy where you find it. We all get so intent on going...somewhere, that we forget to appreciate what's right in front of us. And, after all, nobody is promised tomorrow. Thanks for your post, great.

lizmonster said:

When my gorgeous, fuzzy, gold-eyed standoffish cat climbs into my lap and purrs up a storm. Happens maybe once a week, and it's lovely.

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They're so independent. We're lucky they allow us to share their space.

mccardey said:

Honey. Every single thing about honey makes me happy.

ETA: And the best is that a local child I'm fond of brought me a jar of honey from the family bees, plus a drawing she'd done last week. Just for nothing.

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That's pretty, uh, sweet. Kids, absolutely, thanks for reminding me.

Maryn, you reminded me of something. There's a young couple in the house directly behind us. Our yards are separated by a wall. Right after they moved in the woman gave birth, so every now and then I'd hear her baby cry. I felt like such a fool when a few weeks ago, I was sitting out on my back porch and I could hear their baby saying "Dada, Dada, Dada," over and over again. I couldn't see her (I think it's a baby girl) but I actually let out a little laugh at the hearing of her forming her first words.

And, as I sit here, I hear train whistles--I can never get enough.

I've been laid up for a week, and in pain. Went to the doctor, finally, I'm a hardcase, got a prescription, and today was the first break. Just not being in excruciating pain, ha, brings me an incredible amount of joy. It's the simple things, alright.

This season coming up was my favorite when I lived back east. There must be someone who doesn't like Autumn, but I can't imagine why not, other than in mourning the summer and in anticipation of the winter season coming up. Out here, in Southern California, we've basically got two seasons, hot and not so hot.

Added to this, when it rains in LA it is a truly joyous event. And snow, I remember a few years ago we actually had a wet snow fluttering to the ground. I happened to be out driving when it happened. I pulled over and jumped out of my car to get as much of it as I could. I had to laugh when office workers poured out of the buildings to get a taste for themselves. Pointing up at the sky, pure joy in their smiles.

I'll shovel for my dinner, Maryn. Don't mind at all. And we've got a fireplace, too, also stacks of unused logs from last year. We hope to use them this year.

Maryn said:

Just tuck those logs into your suitcase, my dear!

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Will do, for that matter I don't mind heaving an axe. This is one city boy who's not afraid of such things.

Siri Kirpal said:

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

I remember the time it snowed in San Diego. December 1969. Such a thrill!

I always love the green on green patterns that leaves make.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

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Yeah, even more than a simple joy, it is an actual thrill. I wonder if cold weather people get that. Maybe this time of year they can, but in the dead of winter I fear we'd be attacked by giant, sharp-edged icicles.

One thing I just wanted to mention, there may be people reading this thread who are going through serious things, illnesses, deaths, extreme financial worries, so I don't want to overlook that. There've been times in my life when I couldn't have found joy if it knocked on my door. So I wish the best to anyone who's in that position at this time. In my experience, feeling joy can be difficult even when things are going well, and sometimes it can be next to impossible. Best to you.

Maryn said:

Allow me to share something I don't talk about much any more...

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That was beautiful. Maryn. Thank you. It's interesting how in the worst of times, your mind will heal itself, out of necessity. And the contrast, because of what makes up most of your days, is stark.

When my mother, the pretty woman in my profile photo, (I'm the one with the flight-worthy ears) was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer, it came out of nowhere and we were devastated. We'd been told that she had COPD, but she'd been misdiagnosed until it was too late to do anything about it. She was given a few months to live, and it was so dark. When you're in the middle of something like that life takes on a surreal quality. You're there, but not there. And you're exhausted, from the caring for, from the sadness, lack of sleep, etc. My only brother flew out from New York with his fiance, who was a great help, and true to form for us, we partied our asses off. We celebrated her and what she'd always meant to us. We played our piano and guitars and we sang, sang, sang, all the standards--and my mother could sing! Even with her condition, she could still sing. And we laughed, oh how we laughed, and we cried when she wasn't looking. At this moment I'm tearing up, so I'll stop, but thanks for remind me of that. After she passed, it was late December, we (speaking of logs) lit a fire in my backyard and stood around drinking wine and talking about her. She is missed.

Lavern08 said:

Reading your responses brings me joy!

(I get tired of seeing so much negativity on the internet.)

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It's getting pretty rough, my friend, and who knows? they may get me in the end, but they're gonna know they were in a fight. Hope you are well, sweetness.

Siri Kirpal said:

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Sometimes I think it's at these worst of times -- and yes, I'm well aware this is one of those -- that we need reminders of those small joys, that they're still there. Under rubble in some cases, scorched in some cases, but not forever gone. Not in most cases.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

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These times are dark. Look at what we've got setting the tone. All things pass, and that will too. Maybe sooner than we know. In the meantime, we can't let it rob us of our right to feel joy. The clock's ticking.