Finding the Simple Joys in Life

Today I want to speak to the simple joys in life. It is something that we humans take for granted. All too often we are so worried about whatever our mind drags up, yet so few of the worries that we waste our emotional energy on ever come to pass.

So, what are those simple joys that we overlook every day?

I believe that just starting the day off being present to what you are doing is a good place to start. Notice the small things. First thing in the morning I love the peace and quiet most of all - same thing later at night. To just be...not doing anything in particular at all - just being...

Smiles - I can't tell you how it lifts my day to see either of my roommates break out in large beautiful smiles every time I see them. For them, it is a natural way of being for which I am most grateful. It makes for a great environment in which to live.

A conversation with someone whom I find to be fun and/or interesting. A step up would be a conversation with someone I love dearly.

Food: Sometimes the simplest of foods are the most joyful. We have these little mini-tomatoes here in Israel that are so sweet, they are just a good as any candy for me. They are a great and nutritious snack. I keep them on my desk to snack on.

Getting 'Thank Yous' from my TikTok audience for the videos that I put up there every day. The goal is to have 3 one-minute videos on one subject that will help the viewers perceive things or learn things that will help them in life. It runs the gamut of how to better interact with self and others, to how to choose a healthcare professional - always empowering the viewer in some form. Usually, they come from the theme of the day which comes from these written posts.

Having my Facebook posts shared is always great too. Teresa Mullins shares my post on a daily basis which is very helpful to me to get my messages out. The more shares the better.

Nice cold refreshing water throughout the day. I was drinking a lot of tea, but as the days are much warmer, the water is actually more refreshing.

Working out for 15 -30 minutes in the morning - will always get the happy hormones going and feels great. Fabulous 50s is the place I go now because Shelley is so uplifting in her positivity with her comments, dresses respectfully, and explains what the exercises are doing to help the body - all very well done for a person such as myself who truly hates exercise - but dancing between moves works for me.

Getting outside into the sunshine - that also gets the happy hormones going along with many other hormones that we need for our body's functions.

Getting words of thanks from the folks whose questions I answer on Quora is also great because I do indeed take my time to answer the questions thoughtfully. I do not get as many upvotes for the answers that I write as some folks, but when the person who asked the question comments with thanks, that makes my day because I was able to help someone better deal with a problem they were having.

Taking time to notice the environment around me. I have not really spent much time of late exploring the area, but I can say that when I leave my desk to go outside and bump into folks that I know here on campus that is always a lot of fun. I love receiving my hugs from my friends here and it is indeed one of the things other than having roommates that helped a lot getting through the lockdowns.

Reading a great book is also a joyful activity in my life and it doesn't matter what the subject is on so long as it is interesting.

Watching educational videos is also a ton of fun. I recently found a channel that shows what happens to the body when certain things occur like drinking alcohol through the demonstration of cadavers. I know some may find that gross, but I find it fascinating and certainly much more helpful than reading about it - because the body is indeed amazing in how it works as a unified system. The channel is "The Institute of Human Anatomy."

Writing my thoughts down each day. These posts serve that purpose along with my journaling and gratitude. There is something amazing that happens when one is able to just sit down and write one's thoughts out. It is an exercise that empties the mind and in the case of these posts, creates something that could be helpful for others. It is a fun and fulfilling exercise.

Learning something new, especially if it was a huge challenge for me to do. Few things are more joyful than that in my world.

I could probably come up with some other examples of joyful things that life has for me every day but this is a good list from which to get some ideas on how to bask in the joy that each day can bring you, so long as you choose to be present for it.

If you are a person who teaches groups and would love to do a retreat, we are having a Retreat Leaders Zoom call with Bill Dennis of the Villa Serena hotel on June 30th at 4 PM Eastern. Here is the link to reserve your spot - scroll down to reply to the invitation:

https://www.metrocollaborative.com/events/dinnerrwl-06/30/2021