There’s a poet named Iain Thomas whose poems and quotes periodically appear in my social media feeds. This one speaks to me the most of all I have read:
And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.
The rest of the world has an agenda and it rarely aligns with your own. It’s up to you to guard yourself, your heart and your priorities.
Everywhere I look it seems there is a ton of work to be done. The things I consider important often get pushed to the side because the wishes, whims and procrastinations of others take me by the hand and lead me astray.
I suspect I’m not the only one who has this experience but it does feel lonely sometimes.
A quick google search for Mr. Thomas revealed little about him as a person but did produce several videos of him in interviews and speaking on various topics. One was on overcoming writer’s block, a problem I experience from time to time. His advice was simple: write something anyway.
If writing is making you anxious, write about what’s bugging you. Just start putting down words because, even if they’re not the right words, any words will propel you toward your goal.
While he speaks specifically about writing, this is stellar advice for any situation. It doesn’t matter if it’s right. Just do something to get you moving in the right direction.
In other words, whatever the obstacle – a mental block or the world’s interference. Yank your hand back and start moving in the direction where you want to be.
Lots of people in this world are incapable of simply being happy. They’re happiest complaining, wallowing in their troubles or seeking out reasons to be unhappy.
Life isn’t always happy or easy but there’s almost always something good, even if it is small. In fact, simple pleasures are usually the best.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately as people in my social media and real life have been focused on division and angst. So I started making this list of simple pleasures that keep me sane and happy.
1. Watering the flowers on my porch.
2. A cat’s purr.
3. Sitting in the driveway waiting for a song to end.
4. New book smell.
5. Watching the sunrise from the road.
6. A walk in the woods.
7. Baked goods fresh from the oven.
8. An old movie you’ve seen a hundred times.
9. Fresh sheets.
10. A hot shower after an evening of yard work.
11. The transition of summer into fall.
12. A rainy day.
13. The smell of honeysuckle.
14. A bouquet of grocery store flowers.
15. An organized sock drawer.
16. A day at the movies.
17. Napping in the hammock.
18. Using up all the leftovers.
19. A good book and nothing else to do.
20. Going to bed with a clean kitchen.
21. Raindrops on a flower petal.
22. Ice cold watermelon.
23. Encountering a butterfly or frog in a flower bed.
24. A clean car.
25. Finding perennial flowers on clearance.
26. A comedian that’s actually funny.
27. Having something to look forward to.
28. Twinkle lights on a summer night.
29. Comfortable walking shoes.
30. An American flag flying in the wind.
31. Driving a new road.
32. The chatter of birds in the trees.
33. Browsing an antique mall.
34. Vanilla yogurt with melted peanut butter and chocolate.
35. Warm socks on a cold winter night.
36. Pumpkins and mums on a sunny October day.
37. Sleeping in.
38. Glimpsing a classic car on the road.
39. A cabinet full of clean towels.
40. Fresh fallen snow.
41. Facial recognition on my phone. Seriously, no more passwords!
42. Waking up to Scout next to me.
43. A cold winter day at home with nowhere to be.
44. Delivering recycling to the drop off in town.
45. Discovering new to me old music.
46. The promise of learning something new.
47. In season produce.
48. An oversized blanket.
49. A really great used bookstore.
50. Swapping travel destination ideas with a stranger.
51. People who text in full sentences and with punctuation.
52. Eavesdropping on a table of regulars in a diner.
53. A picnic.
54. Stopping to look at the stars even just for a moment.
55. Getting cold outside and coming in to get warm.
56. Going out for pancakes.
57. The smell of pipe tobacco.
58. A Chinese buffet.
59. The happy sight of sunflowers along the road.
60. An old barn.
61. Scratching things off a to do list.
62. Saturday morning cartoons (the classic kind like Tom and Jerry!)
63. Browsing new products in the grocery store.
64. Announcing the presence of a cow in a field to everyone in the car.
65. Watching CBS Sunday Morning.
66. A really good ink pen.
67. Planning a trip with a paper map.
68. Warm homemade chocolate pudding.
69. Happy stories in the news.
70. When tomorrow is Friday.
71. An absorbent dish towel.
72. Finding the thing you need for a deal.
73. A stranger who gets you.
74. A really good rock.
75. The call of an owl, crickets and tree frogs.
76. Browsing real estate online.
77. A cute hat that’s also warm.
78. Street art.
79. A colorful umbrella on a gloomy day.
80. Sun reflecting in a lake.
81. Breakfast at the table instead of standing at the kitchen counter.
82. The view from my window.
83. Scout napping in a stream of sunlight.
84. Tunes spinning on a record player.
85. A walk at lunchtime.
86. Browsing the library.
87. A new haircut.
88. Pajamas at the end of the day.
89. Meeting people different than me.
90. Looking for beautiful things to photograph.
91. A cool breeze on a warm evening.
92. Reading names on headstones in an old cemetery.
93. Old buildings with character.
94. A good night’s sleep.
95. Saturday morning adventures.
96. A clean bathroom counter.
97. Yoga pants.
98. Seeing wild rabbits, turkeys and deer in my yard.
99. A cute summer dress.
100. Reading magazine headlines in the grocery store.
101. Fall leaves.
102. The entire month of October.
103. Homemade donuts.
104. Movies that make me laugh.
105. A sharp pair of scissors.
106. Fun mail.
107. A basket full of flowers from the yard.
108. Making lists.
This list could have gone on and on but this is a good start. Look around and you may be surprised at how many wonderful things there are in your life. What are your simple pleasures? What brings you joy in your daily life?
We had a garage sale this weekend. Technically, it was at my parents’ house and they did most of the work to get ready for it but I contributed what I could.
We moved a ton of stuff in two days and I earned extra money to help with upcoming travel expenses. I’m headed back to Colorado for a few days next month and then to Savannah in September.
With the cost of everything on the rise, converting my clutter into someone else’s treasure is a nice way to earn a few extra bucks. It’s also a terrific way to meet new people and catch up with old friends but I am now exhausted.
Today I hope to work in my flowers and prepare some food for the week. Those poor flowers would appreciate some attention. Maybe I’ll lay in the hammock with a book. Monday will be here before we know it so I’m grateful for a free day to catch up and recuperate.
“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.” Alfred Austin, Victorian Poet
The flower beds in my yard are still kind of a mess but I continue working on them as time allows. It’s a true work in progress and there’s no end in sight.
Since I was forced to move and split many perennials just before they bloomed, some aren’t blooming while others just look a little sad. Luckily, I can imagine what they will look like next year and that’s keeping me going. The prospect of fuller, richer flower beds in the coming years is enough to keep me going back for more.
It has been great therapy and good exercise. Someday, it will pay off and I will be glad that I dedicated the time and sweat equity. Meanwhile, I enjoy the fruits of other people’s gardening labors. This picture is from Kingwood Garden Center in Mansfield. Go visit them and appreciate the gorgeous gardens if you get a chance.
It’s Friday. Usually, by this point in the week, I like to have my to do list at work and at home somewhat under control.
Have you ever pulled a loose thread on a sweater only to find everything coming unraveled? Welcome to my week.
I have no reason to believe that conditions will improve today but I’ll give it the old college try and see what can be done.
Here’s hoping for quiet and productivity for us all. A smooth transition into the weekend would be lovely. In case you’re wondering, the picture is from Lake Rupert one morning earlier this week.
Yesterday found me on a bit of a field trip for work. By the time my appointment was through, my work day was stretching kind of long and I was about an hour and fifteen minutes from home. So I consulted my phone for the quickest route home. The maps suggested a somewhat imaginative route, giving me some fresh scenery and an escape from the four lane.
Along the way, I passed by my favorite library in the world which happens to be in Lithopolis, Ohio. Wagnalls Memorial Library looks like something from a fairy tale, both inside and out.
I have written about it a few times. This story has lots of pictures and all you library lovers out there might enjoy it. Please have a look because this place is extraordinary and deserves a minute of your day.
