It’s the Little Things
"People always think that happiness is a faraway thing," thought Francie, "something complicated and hard to get. What little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains - a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone - just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness."
— Betty Smith (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
It’s the little things that keep me happy. My strong coffee in the morning, my Queen asking me how I slept, my fireplace blasting heat keeping me warm. Happiness is not elusive if you think about all the fantastic things that make up your daily life.
This morning I want you to think about all those little things that allow you to derive happiness. I don’t know you, so I can’t help fill in the blanks, but you know your life, and you know joy and beauty is surrounding you at every moment.
My grandfather clock just chimed, it’s a reminder of my father, that chime makes me happy. I have a large clock in my front room that will get some assistance today; I’m going to add a battery that will keep it wound when we are gone. That clock running is important to my father, and so it’s important to me.
As a child, I grew up in a home that had many clocks. They would chime, and my father’s main job after church every Sunday was to go around the house and wind and calibrate our clocks. I now have two clocks in my Indianapolis home; they are both gifts from my father. These clocks bring me happiness.
My Queen is up, she bounces down the stairs and greets me, I smile, my Queen brings me happiness. As I look around my living room, I am surrounded by vinyl albums. The music on these carbon discs gives me joy.
I know so many folks that live unhappy and miserable lives. I often wonder if they can’t see the beauty and joy in the simple pleasures of life. We all are blessed beyond measure, we all live better than any humans that arrived in a decade or so before us, but for some reason, it’s not enough.
People today want to live butt-hurt, and I applaud this style of living. I don’t’ understand it; I choose to live with a smile and extreme appreciation for everything in my life. But for those that chose to live a miserable existence, enjoy your misery. But I ask, why are you living in misery?
Look around; there is so much to be thankful for no matter your station in life. We all have people, places, and things that can bring us joy if we set our mind to the right frequency.
Bad things will happen, and that is part of the ebb and flow of life. People will die, you will have financial gaffs, things won’t go as you think they should, but it is at these times a quick check of your surroundings will remind you of the joy and happiness in your life.
It’s hump day, the middle of the week, the day you can look back and be proud of your accomplishments or sad at how you have pissed away your days. It’s not too late to save this week. Buckle up, get busy, get some tasks done that you have put off for some time.
I’m in a joyful mood; this is my normal mental state. I don’t live with anger or hate I have chosen to accept others as they are and find the beauty in all people, creatures, and things. It’s a nice place to live, and I ask that you join me.
Every day you have a choice as to how you perceive your world. No other person can dictate how or what you feel so choose to feel happy and blessed for those little things and big things in your life.
I’m a writer; I’m one that gets to remind you of the beauty and joy you can find in your surroundings. I slept in a little this morning, it was planned, that extra sleep makes me happy. But now, I’ve got a full day of appointments and connections to make before I depart for our western home.
I’m happy, and I ask that you join me in my happiness.
"People always think that happiness is a faraway thing," thought Francie, "something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains - a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone - just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness."