How often have you heard...or, perhaps, even said, "Go big, or go home." Yet we all know that bigger isn't always better. In fact, "The best things in life are free" said the ever-fabulous Coco Chanel (which is an odd thing for her to say, given the price of her clothes and accessories...but I digress). It seems like everyone and every thing is conspiring to make us appreciate the simple pleasures even less by constantly drilling it into our heads that everything must be bigger, better, newer...or it's no good.
There's nothing wrong with big...after all, some of my best friends are humans (and you're all HUGE)...but let's just not put ALL of our emphasis on size or cost. And what about forget about color? Humans, and frogs, too, love colors...bright yellows, greens, red, oranges, blues, and violets. Admittedly, they are stunning colors. But there's something to be said about the neutrals, too. Case in point; most frogs are beautifully colored but the humble toad, for the most part, is brown, or some version of brown. And toads are good, aren't they? Sometimes we just need neutrals to balance out the picture. We can't all be at the top of the heap and not all of us want to be. We know that the air up there is rarified...and it can get pretty loney. Besides, when you're at the top, there's no place to go but down.
Learning to appreciate the simple things in life makes us happier and feel more appreciative. In reality, the things most of us remember as the years go by, are the fun things we did with our childhood friends. We remember the giggle of children and look of awe on their faces during Christmas, as they gaze at the beautifully decorated shop windows. And what about that sunset when your beau kissed you for the first time? These are the things that make life worth living...not the cars, boats, houses, and BIG jobs. Your bright shiny new cell phone will be long forgotten, as well, when the new version comes out six months from now. Appreciate that life is made up of moments, not things. If this makes sense to you, but you're not enjoying the simple pleasures in your life, here are a few tips to help shift your focus.
1. Every day, even those bad ones, has one or two good moments. Focus on those...not the bad ones. 2. Take some time each day to stop and smell the roses...or coffee..or whatever pleases you. Really drink it the beauty, smell, sounds of the things you love. 3. Listen to the music that truly moves you. Dust off the ol' iPod and play some tunes. Music is very uplifting. And nowadays, tunes are pretty cheap. You can purchase a new song for a couple of dollars, or less. 4. Spend time with family and friends and appreciate your time together...cook, then share, a meal, go for a walk, play hooky from work and take a leisurely bubble bath. 5. Listen to music or watch a favorite old film.
Need a few other suggestions? Nature is FULL of wonders for all to enjoy.
Enjoy your lunch outdoors - the feel of sunshine on your face can be uplifting; watching children play and laugh; a smile from a stranger...or give one and see them smile back; a small victory, like fixing theleaky faucet on your own; indulging in a snack, or beverage, you enjoy but rarely ever have; playing a game you loved as a kid; a half hour extra sleep; an opportunity to be creative - start a journal, scrapbooking, etc; a long phone or Skype conversation with someone you haven't seen in awhile; petting your cat or dog.
There are loads of little things to enjoy, and all of them are free! (compliments of Mother Nature) Sunrise/sunset, birds singing, frogs croaking, wildflowers, the rustling of fallen leaves as you walk through them, snowflakes, just to name a few.
Come to think of it, they aren't such little things after all...They're really pretty awesome.
The world is a bountiful place. And when we come to appreciate all those things we usually take for granted, we begin to realize that every single one of us is rich beyond our wildest dreams.
There's nothing wrong with big...after all, some of my best friends are humans (and you're all HUGE)...but let's just not put ALL of our emphasis on size or cost. And what about forget about color? Humans, and frogs, too, love colors...bright yellows, greens, red, oranges, blues, and violets. Admittedly, they are stunning colors. But there's something to be said about the neutrals, too. Case in point; most frogs are beautifully colored but the humble toad, for the most part, is brown, or some version of brown. And toads are good, aren't they? Sometimes we just need neutrals to balance out the picture. We can't all be at the top of the heap and not all of us want to be. We know that the air up there is rarified...and it can get pretty loney. Besides, when you're at the top, there's no place to go but down.
Learning to appreciate the simple things in life makes us happier and feel more appreciative. In reality, the things most of us remember as the years go by, are the fun things we did with our childhood friends. We remember the giggle of children and look of awe on their faces during Christmas, as they gaze at the beautifully decorated shop windows. And what about that sunset when your beau kissed you for the first time? These are the things that make life worth living...not the cars, boats, houses, and BIG jobs. Your bright shiny new cell phone will be long forgotten, as well, when the new version comes out six months from now. Appreciate that life is made up of moments, not things. If this makes sense to you, but you're not enjoying the simple pleasures in your life, here are a few tips to help shift your focus.
1. Every day, even those bad ones, has one or two good moments. Focus on those...not the bad ones. 2. Take some time each day to stop and smell the roses...or coffee..or whatever pleases you. Really drink it the beauty, smell, sounds of the things you love. 3. Listen to the music that truly moves you. Dust off the ol' iPod and play some tunes. Music is very uplifting. And nowadays, tunes are pretty cheap. You can purchase a new song for a couple of dollars, or less. 4. Spend time with family and friends and appreciate your time together...cook, then share, a meal, go for a walk, play hooky from work and take a leisurely bubble bath. 5. Listen to music or watch a favorite old film.
Need a few other suggestions? Nature is FULL of wonders for all to enjoy.
Enjoy your lunch outdoors - the feel of sunshine on your face can be uplifting; watching children play and laugh; a smile from a stranger...or give one and see them smile back; a small victory, like fixing theleaky faucet on your own; indulging in a snack, or beverage, you enjoy but rarely ever have; playing a game you loved as a kid; a half hour extra sleep; an opportunity to be creative - start a journal, scrapbooking, etc; a long phone or Skype conversation with someone you haven't seen in awhile; petting your cat or dog.
There are loads of little things to enjoy, and all of them are free! (compliments of Mother Nature) Sunrise/sunset, birds singing, frogs croaking, wildflowers, the rustling of fallen leaves as you walk through them, snowflakes, just to name a few.
Come to think of it, they aren't such little things after all...They're really pretty awesome.
The world is a bountiful place. And when we come to appreciate all those things we usually take for granted, we begin to realize that every single one of us is rich beyond our wildest dreams.
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