The Little Things
Today, make a conscious effort to appreciate the little things.
Appreciation in the smallest amounts will lead to a large and open heart.
Take a second to discover what little things make you happy.
And you'll soon see how quickly they add up.
Here are some of the simple things I appreciate in my life:
1. The love of an animal
If you have one of your own, sit down and hug your creature.
If you don't then stop and give a pet to one.
They want nothing in return other than a little love and the act of giving you will get so much more back in return.
2. Cheese
Unless you are lactose intolerant, go buy some cheese today. Splurge. Get something good, sit down and relish it. I dare you to indulge.
3. Siblings
They share your DNA, they know you like no one else and if your siblings are like mine they make me feel better even with a 5 minute phone call. We usually end up talking about our parents and laughing about something only we get. It's an intimacy that only siblings can share.
4. Dining Alfresco
Turn off the damn TV.
Enjoy the last few days of summer.
The smell of the grill, being outdoors and breathing in the air. Take some time to make your table special.
Putting a little effort into changing up the routine is good for you, it’s good for the family.
5. Fresh Flowers
I buy fresh flowers every week and scatter arrangements around the house.
To appreciate their beauty and aroma is good for the senses, and in turn good for the heart.
Even if you are picking up some from the grocery take the time and trim and arrange them in a vase.
You'll actually find it therapeutic.
(Why don't you put them on your outdoor dining table?)
6. Coffee
The first sip of a perfect cup of coffee.
Never underestimate the joy in a good cup of coffee.
Enough said.
7. Watch the Sunset
Right now in LA I am loving the purple, lavender, magenta and pale pink skies at sunset.
To me those colors signal the end of summer.
And with that goes the sadness that summer is coming to an end.
Or for many, joy that the kids are headed back to school.
Sit back and take in the beauty of it.
8. The Evening Cocktail
My friend LuluPowers aka" Queen of the Sneaky" makes a ritual out of cocktail hour.
It's so civilized.
Sit down, relax and enjoy.
It's a way to stop and slow down for a little reflection on your day.
9. Board Games
Remember when we all used to sit down and play games together?
Today, with all the electronic games, you don't need a partner to play, it's isolating.
Get your old board games out.
They promote interaction with another person and besides it's really fun.
10. Books
A real, actual book printed on paper. Turn the pages and dive into another world.
11. Morning
I enjoy the quiet of the morning before anyone in the house gets up.
I suggest going outside for a minute or two and listening to the sounds of the birds and the neighborhood waking up.
12. Gardening
Dig, weed, trim, prune, water.
Get your hands dirty, it’s a good feeling to take care of living things.
13. The love of your spouse
I try to appreciate the small gestures my husband makes for me.
True signs of his love and once I string them all together I realize just how lucky I am.
To me love is not in the grand sweeping gestures, rather the often mundane little ones that I sometimes take for granted.
For instance, each morning my husband leaves me the newspaper on the front doorstep when he leaves for yoga class so I don't have to run outside to the driveway to retrieve it.
Thoughtful, kind and considerate and it means a lot to me.
So today take a moment to notice a few little things that make you happy.
You'll be glad you did.
xoxo Carrie
Photo Credits: Carrie Carr, and www.happynews.com