Those questions have posed a lot of research for me. I've found some good books and magazines. I've recorded it in diaries. Even prayed about it. One thing I've learned in almost everything I've read is to keep a gratitude journal. This has saved me when I felt depressed and especially when I thought I was deprived. I tried to keep a journal for a year- 3 things each day I was thankful about, no matter how small, no matter how bad the day. At first it was difficult, really! The book I was reading gave ideas - do you have a home? yep! Have food? yeah, too much! A job? yeah! a car? sure! Are you healthy? Overweight, yeah, but I can walk, and read, and hear!
Then the process of being grateful became easier! What I noticed over a few weeks is often times it was little things that brought joy, gratitude, and happiness! Sitting on the deck at night listening to the doves coo or croaking frogs, a cool breeze after a hot day and a cup of hot chocolate after a cold day. I discovered engaging the senses helped - smelling a rose, privet, or the witch hazel bush. Now if you want a treat in the coldest of winter, a witch hazel bush is just the thing! It has a sweet smell of peaches and I can inhale the sweetness in January and February! (I digress!) When everything is bare the bush is full of little oriental-looking yellow and red blooms. Then there was the taste of an extremely ripe peach right from the orchard - the sweet smell, the juicy taste, and of course the juice dripping down my arm.
Sometimes I was thankful for the small events with my friends and family. A call from my sister, singing Happy Birthday. Sharing a train ride with my best friend, laughing together until we cried. My grandson and I working on crafts, gardening, and decorating the Christmas tree. Sitting in church with my daughter, mother, and grandmother. Now it's sitting in church with my grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and my best friend.
So when I retired I decided to keep a close watch on what made me happy. Last night driving home from my cousin's house I could feel the warm "fuzzy" feeling of well being. I spent Tuesday and Thursday with my cousin's family. Now there are 2 things I love to do - take photographic images and eat/cook. I hadn't seen my cousin in a long time, too long!! The best feeling in the world was as soon as I walked in the door the whole family chimed in with the food available! "Get a soda" "Try the fresh strawberries" "Do you want a sandwich" and "There are homemade pies in the fridge". It almost brought me to tears, I needed family, I need the comfort of family!
The evening was spent working on photography with my cousin's daughter and son-in-law. I love to teach (no I'm not a teacher, but I've been teaching since I was 6 years old) and we had fun experimenting.
Then yesterday we went on Campus.
We were able to photograph their son and watch him play! I loved his innocence and energy. It didn't matter to him where he was, he could throw stones in the pond, watch fish, pick flowers (clover) or just go on an adventure.
In the evening we ate pizza together at my cousin's house, nothing fancy, a free-for-all, but pizza never tasted so good! I am thankful for their hospitality! I am thankful for a sweet little boy! I am thankful for the company of a young couple! So tonight when I go to bed, I will record in my gratitude journal about a wonderful week I had.
What are your simple pleasures?
Simple Pleasures bring me Happiness!
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