Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Simple Pleasures


There has been an unintentional theme to the first month of this year...simple pleasures. I have found myself, as I fall asleep at night, going over my days and in them I am finding little bits of magic. Little things that make me smile, warm my heart and add a little joy to my days.

For years now I (and we as a family) have been working towards a slower pace to my life, with time and space to do the things that create that little bit of magic each day, and it seems lately it has all fallen into place. There has been time for sending little packages and notes to friends, for quiet walks in the woods alone and with friends, for following tracks in the snow and letting them take us where they want, for moments alone in the dark quiet of our home in the morning, for a cup of tea, a little dark chocolate and reading mid afternoon, for putting pen to paper, for knitting and crafting, for time playing with my camera and for connection, face to face connection with friends.

None of these simple pleasures are new, they have been enjoyed for many years and are the things that make my heart sing, but what is new is how often I am enjoying them. As I go over my days in the evening I have noticed these things are appearing more often in my days, they are becoming regular parts in the rhythm and flow of our days, and that, my friends, makes me so very happy.

So, as we move into February the unintentional theme of January becomes an intentional one. An intention to enjoy more of these simple pleasures.

I think I am up for it.

What simple pleasures have you been enjoying? Will you join me for a month, setting an intention to seek out and enjoy simple pleasures in your daily life?

36 comments:

  1. Sounds exactly what l'm hoping to achieve this year (or at least make progress towards). It's inspirational to hear that you can see and feel the changes that you've made - so glad that it's an achievable goal !!
    My word for 2014 is SIMPLE. I started off the year well, but now that l'm back at work and our daughter is about to start school for the first time tomorrow....simple is feeling a little harder to achieve. I'll keep on slogging away though, and hopefully progress will result.
    PS - just started following you on bloglovin, that way l can keep up with everything happening in your corner of the world :)

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    1. Thanks Chrisy. Hang in there, simple is there for the taking, we just need to keep reaching for it.

      That is great, I have you in my blogger feed now too :)

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  2. Lovely post. I have been feeling the same way this January. The cold and snow has kept us close to home and each other so we are able to the simple things that make an ordinary day- extraordinary. With baby #3 on the way, money has been stretched a little farther and I think that makes us a better family because we rely on each other and our natural world for quality family time and don't get caught up in the fast pace of the world.

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    1. Thanks Kathleen. It is amazing what a cold winter can do eh? We too are keeping close to home, and that was actually a goal for us since the end of summer, to stick closer to home, to be here and enjoy what we have. And it does create a pace of life that allows the slowness and simplicity to seep in.

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  3. So wonderful to make the realization that all you have been working toward is coming together in a most beautiful way.
    February is our last month in NM and we are trying to, while in the middle of moving prep, to figure out what those must see things should be... I think a focus on the little simple things is the right idea at this point. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. It kinda hit me in the back of the head Dawn. It was like all of sudden there it is the slow life we have been working towards, the goal all these years finally falling into place. It is so beautiful in so many different ways.

      I think that is a wonderful idea for your last month there. Enjoy!

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  4. I enjoy my coffee every single morning along with writing in my journal. Going outside with my dog, no matter how cold and just being. That is truly a simple pleasure that is quick since it is cold cold cold.

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  5. I started a list the other day in my journal of what has been accomplished this month, including even the small pleasures--such as, how much fun mail have I sent out? I was surprised to see it's at least a piece a week, something I'd like to try to keep up. I am a big fan of the small simple pleasures. :-)

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  6. Thanks for this post. Between weather, power outages, stomach flu, and colds it seems that 2014 did not start on the right foot. But there is a new baby arriving in May which is what I truly need to keep in mind my intention of "being present" in check. A lovely New Year for you!

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    1. Awe, that is too bad Paula, I do hope February makes up for all the January was not. Hugs xo

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  7. I have also been enjoying moments with my camera, and sneaking in short sessions with my guitar. count me in for this month's journey....... I can always use a reminder to stop and enjoy the ride.

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    1. Oh that sounds lovely. Guitar eh? I would love to learn to play.

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  8. This is so lovely! There is nothing like the feeling of slowing down and getting the most out of each day! It's a challenge indeed and there are days when I find it's just not working, then I realize something has to be taken out of the equation, usually something not that important anyway gets tossed from the schedule, and we all feel better.

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    1. Thank you. And you are so right. This slow life we are leading hasn't come without sacrifices, but all of them were worth it. Something always has to give, we can't have it all.

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  9. I find that no matter what ending my day with reading a bit from a really good book is soothing to me. Oh and going out to check the garden as well. Whenever I need a breather I go out and check the garden.

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  10. I'm so glad you're doing more of what matters most to you. I love this so much. And yes, I'll join you in February and seek out more simple daily pleasures. Thank you for the inspiration. XO

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  11. Today, after a full day of classes in the morning with no break, and after I wolfed down my lunch, I was distracted by a great chunk of brilliant sun coming in the side window of the school. I stood with my face to the sun and closed my eyes. Four other teachers joined me, after asking what I was doing. Students milled around us, as we all sat there , eyes closed, soaking up a few minutes of sunshine. Simple minutes enjoying the feel of the sun on our faces.Love your post!

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    1. Oh that sounds just wonderful. I actually did this the other day on our nature walk, it was lovely. So nice to hear about everyone joining in :)

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  12. What a lovely intention. We are still trying to find a new rhythm after becoming a family of four, I hope we too can find one that leaves us space for the simple things xx

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    1. Thank you! I am sure you will, after the adjustment, it will come. Just believe in it.

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  13. Lately my biggest simple pleasure is just knitting. Nothing complicated--garter and stockinette wherever possible, actually. I think my hands just need to get equal time with my brain sometimes.

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    1. Knitting is such a simple pleasure for me too. So happy you are finding time for it Meryl :)

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  14. Simple pleasures have been at the center of my journey for quite a few years now : The smell of my kitchen, my son's dimples, my daughter and her ever changing eyes... Catching my husband looking at me the way he did when we first started going out... I'm all in, all though does it count if I was always in???

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  15. What a delightful post Kim... if you can believe it, I have been enjoying the cold, wintry weather here in the mountains. Oh, I don't mean going out into it :D...but instead, staying inside and sewing, knitting and reading with a warm cup of tea... :)

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    1. Thanks Mari, and that sounds lovely. There is something so lovely about cozying up inside when winter is howling outside.

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  16. I come along for the ride with you, towards simple things!

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  17. What a lovely intention for February. I'm there with you!

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    1. That is awesome! I will have to figure out how we can all touch base at the end of the month to share our experiences.

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  18. Simple pleasures: a mug of tea, baking, walking, reading, hugging, chatting, swimming, playing a game, listening to my boys chatting with friends, taking photos, enjoying nature, a glass of lemon water, a meal prepared with love.......life is good! xxoo

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