Thursday, June 29, 2006

Simple Joys

Simple joys have a simple voice:
It says why not go ahead?
Wouldn't you rather be a left-handed flea
A crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea...
-Pippin, the Musical

I was driving home from work today (that's where I do much of my thinking recently...there's nothing like traffic to help with philosophy), and I noticed something that was so simple and sweet, and made me smile. I started to think about the simple joys in life, little things that make me smile and give me a warm feeling inside. It's like singing about favorite things - it just makes you feel content with the world at large.

So here's my list. What's yours?

1. The inspiration for this post: Two people in the car behind me were singing together to their radio. I couldn't hear them, but I saw them in my rearview mirror, and they were just sharing a moment together. I almost felt like I was intruding to watch them, but seeing happy people like that makes me happy.

2. Music. It calms the nerves, soothes the soul...I once wrote a post on it (or started to? I don't remember). But there's something amazing about the power of music. And it gives me a simple joy.

3. Blue skies. After a week of pouring rain, blue skies are like an apology for the bad weather. And they make everything okay (for me, at least).

4. Blossoming things. My sister has this rubber plant that's been just doing nothing for years. It had leaves, but never grew any more, and just kinda sat there forever. Last week, I noticed a new leaf. It was a different color than the other leaves, a lighter green, but it was so fresh and new - a sign of new life. Nature has a wonderful beauty that man-made things can never capture. 'מה רבו מעשיך ה

5. Baking. Baking is one of my personal simple joys. I'm not like my sister, who goes to the mall to de-stress (in fact, the mall usually stresses me out). I guess I'm a good Jewish woman, 'cause I love making food for other people. And it de-stresses me. (It also probably explains the phenomenon as to why my body build is so different from my sister's :) ).
Tonight: Blondies, Baby Ruth Bars, and choco chip cookies.

6. My family. Baruch Hashem, they're absolutely awesome. And I'm gonna miss them sooooo much. (Why am I moving away again? Do I really have to? And to....there?)

7. The fact that my friends worry so much about me. They really shouldn't, 'cause by worrying, they sometimes create problems that don't exist, but it shows that they care about me. And we all need to know that we're cared about.

8. An exceptionally beautiful turn of phrase. I can't express my feelings in words, and so I'm amazed by those who can touch people in any way (for good, but bad also, unfortunately) through their words. An addendum to this is people who are not afraid to say when they feel spontaneous (good) emotions.

9. Kindred spirits (of course ;) )

6 comments:

defen said...

Numbers 6 and 7 are by no means "simple" things.

Some of my simple things: Birds chirping. Crickets on a summer night. The crescent moon. A blade of grass. When strangers smile together and share a moment.

The simplest of all (and the one I forget most): Waking up in the morning, opening my eyes, and being able to SEE, and clearly.

TRW said...

Def: I would beg to differ.
6. It's the little things about my family that makes me love them so much! I could get personal, but I try so hard not to..
7. This one is more a matter of trying to find some good in something that can be a bit stressful at times. So I guess you're right, this one is not simple, but it had to be mentioned, and this was as good a place as any...(consistancy, of course, is for little minds, you know)

Lea: Glad you enjoyed...come by more often-you'll find it rewarding! :)

kasamba said...

Great positive post!

Scraps said...

1) Awww, that's very cute. But I always feel bad watching moments like that, like I'm invading their privacy.
2) I couldn't live without music. 'Nuff said.
3) Blue skies don't make everything okay for me, but they sure are a nice perk.
4) I concur. :)
5) Mmmm, sounds yummy. I'm not so into baking myself, but I sure enjoy tasting the fruits of others' labors! ;-)
6) I'm very happy that you get joy from your family. Not everyone is so lucky.
7) Again, you're very fortunate to have friends who care, even if they complicate things. Not everyone is so lucky.
8) I concur. :)
9) I'm still looking for mine, but when I find that person, I'm sure I'll have more than simple joy.

My list: Long, pleasant walks alone when the weather is nice and the sun is starting to set. Giggly girly moments with friends. Helping people. Those moments after the rain when the world smells clean and fresh.

I'll write more when I think of more.

Lee said...

Ooooh, love this post!

My simple pleasures: My blanket! Finally, I got an a/c in my bedroom, so I could sleep with my big, mushy blanket again. Baruch Hashem!
Singing out loud (very loud) in my car (I guess it's a common pleasure!)
A summer thunderstorm when I'm inside and it's not too scary.
A summer thunderstorm when I'm in bed, about to fall asleep.
When my mother gives me a kiss on the phone! (Mwah!)
And slurpees. :)

TRW said...

Kas: Thanks!

Scraps: Re #9: yes, ditto.
As for the post-rain bit, I also concur. The world is so clean and fresh then!

Okee: How could I forget slurpees!
And storms-when all you can think is about how nature is sooo much powerful than man...it's sooo beautiful.