 |
| So grateful to have purged a pile of clothes from my closet |
 |
| I enjoyed playing with colour this week |
It was never the big house or fancy car even though it was nice. It wasn't the good job, or piles of friends, I loved those too! It wasn't partying and surrounding myself with people. It was being grateful for the warm bed, a nice meal, a talk with a friend, a kind word or gesture...it was being grateful each moment for all the small niceties in my life! The comfort, beautiful colour around me, love of my family, a car in working order, lots of laughs.
Don't get me wrong, it was, and always will be fun laughing with friends and family. Enjoying intimate conversations. But it's the small moments of joy threaded together, knowing if I look in my midst there is something to be happy about.
 |
| A happy doodle while feeling under the weather |
Even through aches and pains, through grief and disappointment there are small joys to be happy about. Even if there is something to deter my joy for a moment, I always know it's right around the corner!!
Happiness is not something to search for, or buy. It's always there in our midst...those simple moments, a kind unexpected gesture, a good sleep, a laugh after deep period of grief, feeling pride over creativity. It's about being grateful for the whole experience, knowing no matter how bad things get there will always be things to appreciate with gratitude! There will always be simple things to look forward to, so when the big joys appear in your life it's even better because you're already happy!
What is one simple thing that brought you joy this week?
36 comments:
Fantastic colors!
I love the feeling of hope that you are perpetuating in this post. I believe it's all about looking at the glass half full or half empty. It's also not about what you don't have, but finding joy in what you have. We are going through a difficult school year with all the expenses that come from having 2 girls in college. However, I've made a conscious effort to leave it all in God's hands. Thus far we've made it through one semester without going into the red. Yes, we've had to make sacrifices, but I'm VERY proud of what my girls are accomplishing. That's the bright side that makes it all worth it. Blessings to you and your family, my dear friend, and Happy PPF!
Wonderful post again, full of colour, warmth and wise words! Hugs, Valere
I wish all the happiness for you and your wise thoughts and joyous paintings!
I always love reading your posts. I agree. No one or nothing can make you happy but yourself and it does come from what is in your heart. Focusing on the positives. I can tell you are doing that by your pretty bright colors in your paintings. Those are happy colors.
Another wonderful thought provoking post. I couldn't agree with it more. I'm happier than I've ever been in my life and it isn't because we have an abundance of material things or plenty of money in the bank - more of that would always be nice of course but it's all the little things that make up this great life we lead since we moved to Scotland. This year I started keeping a gratitude journal - the front says 'Gratitude is the open door to abundance' and each day I write down 4 things that I'm grateful for that day. It can be something as simple as the rain staying off until after we get back from the beach with the dogs! Today I'm grateful that my lovely husband was born 45 years ago today and found his way into my life!
Lovely sensitive post. Beautiful portraits too. I do enjoy simple joys, little things.
luv today's quote and especially art piece #1
have a nice Paint party Friday
much love...
You always are so wise, and so colorful. I have been putting a note of gratefulness in a little box since Jan. 1, 2015. I am grateful this week especially for family and friends who are loving and supportive.
This is one of my favorite parts of PPF is not only seeing beautiful art like yours but hearing such inspiring words like these in your post.I'm sure many of us can relate to your sentiments, its like we are all growing and evolving together coming to these same conclusions about being grateful for the simple pleasures and making our own happiness!!!Hugs, Deb
Awesome and inspiring post as always. Love your colorful girls and I to believe that happiness starts within. I am happy just being alive and enjoying each day as if there is nothing better, here at home. Have a great day and thank you for your inspiring words. Take care.
I love all of your fun and colorful portraits! They're bright and cool. And your post was really cool too. :)
So beautifully illustrated with all those happy colors and art, along with the eloquent words. I believe there is some small moment of joy in everyone's daily life no matter how bad things may seem, but when someone is going through some really heavy and bad things it can be so hard to find that little moment of joy. I can't pick just one moment of joy . I think especially as I am aging I am really looking at the many joys each day brings-even the simplest things...wishing you many happy and joyful days!
woo hoo, one more pile gone!! I have also been addressing my home piles, & have been on a little purging spree!
I found a new site that has a naughty title, but great tips (http://unfuckyourhabitat.com ) & I love that part of Robin's focus is helping folks with depression or physical ailments find ways to cope with their personal surroundings, their habitat!
Two simple joys: I finished painting my kitchen backspash (dealt with the clutter on that counter to access!)
My bookgroup is reading Tich Nhat Hanh's 'Living Buddha, Living Christ,' & I love his simple breath mantra: 'Breathing in, I bring in calm, Breathing out, I smile. In - present moment - out - wonderful moment' .... I practiced this during our Tai Chi class, when the teacher was giving breath prompts! Smiling always makes me happier!
Happy PPF
Nadya
http://dia-creationstation.blogspot.com/2015/01/musings-on-muse.html
I love this post, Giggles. I think we who are happy and enthusiastic are very fortunate.
What has made me happy this week? - waking up every morning to a warm shower and the first cup of coffee, reading a (real) book last thing at night, and many other things in between.
I completely agree. Happiness comes from the inside. :)
Wonderful post! Love your color play this week! My simple joy this was receiving a thermal travel mug from my son that keeps my tea hot for hours! No kidding - 7 hours later that tea is still hot! Happy PPF!
It's been a journey from childhood for me, too. And, there are times the ghosts rise up and take the happiness away. But, the majority of life now is drenched in happiness, from all the wonderful "little" things.
And, I think your post was a lovely touch of joy on a rough day! Thank you, Giggles.
Hugs! Barb
Your optimism is contagious. I usually have lunch with the same group of ladies, but some days, I have to eat somewhere else, or by myself, because of all the bitterness that hangs over the group. Mot every day, but some days. It's too easy to get sucked in to that.
Fun portraits - I especially like the textures and color play in the first one. Joy this wk: a toddler wrapping his too short arms around my shoulders, communicating love with a passionate, tender expression of "mama"...
Really a wonderful post! I like your portraits with these bright colours,too!
Thoughtful post as always and fantastic creativity. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful post and art! My happiness this week is that we had a torrential downpour after 6 weeks of no rain, a friend I hadn't seen for over a year visited (that's why I haven't posted, too busy nattering!)
Pretty faces! And such fun and colorful hair!
Love your art this week, especially the green girl! You're right: it's important to focus on what you have, instead of thinking of all you have not. A happy moment this week for me was seeing my art materials again and thinking of all the things I can make with them :-)
it feels like we are on the same page a bit this week... it is easy to be dissatisfied these days, but if you block out the media and all the ridiculous negativity and actually look around then things are pretty great. You are so right about the little things... a nice cup of tea, the light coming in through the bamboo while you float in the pool, the sound of the little boy next door giggling as he gets licked by the dog... and of course reading a wonderful post by someone who knows just how to put thoughts into words that make you think...xx
Finding happiness and joy can come at anytime if we are open to it. The more grateful we are for the simple things in life the more things we find to be grateful for. I think we can only come to this state of mind when slow down enough to enjoy what we have in the present moment.
At this moment I am really enjoying that both of my dogs who love to bark at anything they might see or hear are quietly resting in the room with me. It's a lovely peaceful moment.
What wonderful words of wisdom, Sherrie, and they are straight from Psalm 30:5. I know that there are people with clinical depression but I think most people have that choice when they first feel sad, to encourage the sadness or to go do something positive and come out of the blue funk. I was able to help someone this past week with a financial bind they were in. Giving brings joy if the giving in is the right spirit.
I agree with the idea that there is so much sadness in the world lately... and so glad to see your bright colorful pages to lighten things up a little!
Happiness is a divine world. If it doesn't live within, you can't find anywhere else. There are so many things that make me happy but right now I am sad: my daughter's bf broke up with her and it hurts so much to see her suffering.I think happiness is a peaceful mind, is unattachment because if you don't expect anything, nothing disappoints you. Love your pieces, my friend!You are a sage mama too!Your posts are pure beauty and wisdom!Love them!
What a lovely meaningful post, Giggles. Just what I needed today, as it happens. Thanks for your visit and for your lovely comment over at my place.
You're so right, and things do get overwhelming at times.
We added a new living room to our house in 2014 and all year I was thinking "when the new room's finished..." and then felt kind of empty once it was, even though it's as lovely as we'd hoped.
I'm now consciously living in the moment, focusing my energy on what is happening *right now* and no longer choosing to put off things that way.
Wow! i read this right after I wrote the poem about learning happiness from our dogs. I love your writings Sher! I wish I would have read this first because I could have pulled a few more points that you expressed so beautifully!! and to answer your question. One simple thing that brought me joy this week was receiving so many kind comforting notes and calls from friends regarding the passing of my sweet molly. connecting with others has always made me feel happy. your list of all the reasons 'life might be sad' moved me to tears as i think Of someone i love who falls into many of these and I need to read this to them. once again.. Im so glad I popped in. thank u for your wisdom and moving posts xox hugs
Again colourful art that I like and your thoughts are so right and wise. Happy PPF.
The blue w/green dot background looks like me girlfriend (except right now she has a bit of green hair). It was a perfect world until 5 years old, then nothing was ever right in childhood again. Thank God I had that much. All your people are wonderful. Blessings, Janet PPF
I miss you and your awesome words of wisdom..Beautiful work and beautiful words. Kinda what I needed to hear today!
Post a Comment