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| The sum of my Spring blossoms, brought in to be saved from rain and wind. |
Thankfully I had not taken the snowblade off the John Deere before I put it away last. I'm sure in a previous life I was skilled in the large earth moving equipment! ;-) Truly, it worked better than I could have hoped, and of course, this all had to be done in a race with rain that had been predicted all day. I had time~~we didn't get any weather until late in the evening, when I was comatose in the chair.
I have a body extremely unhappy with me this morning and I know (yes, KNOW) this is a no-studio-on-the-couch day.
This all got me thinking, as I so often do when I'm out on the tractor, that I love the small pleasures of life. I may not be enjoying the tractor work, but the mind wanders and has a marvelous time! The little things that make life so rich:
-That first cup of coffee in the morning.
-Seeing the sun rise.
-A leisurely welcome to the day.
-Quiet time with nature.
-The first Spring flowers.
-Talking with my birds.
-Sitting snug in the comfort of my studio.
-Knowing enough is indeed *ENOUGH*~~as in, not feeling want.
-Savoring small quiet moments where DH and I may not speak, but all is said.
-A bubble bath.
-Soft slippers and a cozy chair.
-The smell of a freshly starched pillowcase and the comfort of fluffy covers in bed.
And somehow this brought me to thinking about how the current world is so bent on doing huge things---from weddings to vacations to ridiculous homes, and everyone wonders why they are unhappy.
Because their life is ruled by the constant one-upmanship of someone else. And the only person who loses in that is the one trying to outdo everyone else.
No joy in daily activities, no pleasure in quiet conversations, missing everything that is around us that makes life good. It is the constant and gnawing NEED for something MORE. And that MORE cannot be bought; it is filling the SOUL.
My something more is here; in my blog, in my life, in the quiet and soft light of morning, in meditations for friends, in the little moments.
Here's to small pleasures. May you see yours. May you know you have many. May you be thankful every day.
Pax....
36 comments:
Well, a very profound post. I agree.... BUT.... I think one has to get to a "certain age" before one can finally see the forest-for-the-trees. I think that "certain age" is dependent on the person. What does all the running & running & running stem from???? Running after money & all that a person thinks it can bring.... all to find we were happier when we had nothing.
Personally.... I find that the struggle to stay with a job for years... pay off a house.... do all the "right" things gives comfort but also becomes a trap.
Have a Restful Day....
Love,
Marilyn
Well Marilyn, I was that way when I was younger, but found that listening to certain people drives you off your innate spiritual path. (I just am not one to live for others demands---I think it's an artist thing!)
Thankfully I never veered really far....LOL!
And I have always found the little things wonderful; when we had money, when we didn't.....it made no difference.
Life gives us gifts if we accept them.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
i don't see a trip to harbor freight on the list? :) nice post- good meditation to start my day. enjoy your day on the couch- undoubtedly all sorts of ideas will come from it, which is the other value of stillness.
LOL!!!!
That is not a *SMALL* pleasure but a DARNED BIG ONE!!! ;-D
Like getting the new Dick Blick catalog or having time to roam aimlessly down the aisles at the hardware store! Those are truly delightful!
You're funny!!! But you know the good stuff!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Thanks Deb!
Sometimes I hope when I write these that I *hit the target*.... ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Nice post -- it's good to be reminded of the importance of the "small" things.
Tee hee -- I wish I had thought of studio-on-the-couch days.
Hey Karen,
My body is just being a stinker today, so I'm thinking reading and note taking is going to be IT! LOL!
Snoozing might occur...... ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
~you my friend spoke of pure beauty this day...such wisdom and truth...many will pause at your words...valuable lessons you have shared...life...if only more saw their way of living and loving just so...we strive hard ot remain simple...so many around have grown to bigger and what they felt better and are reaping harsh rewards because of the desires...their filling their lives with "things" in which they hoped would bring forth happiness...instead of searching within and seeing what their soul is truly seeking...sigh...so much to marvel in around us...and the signs of spring are truly one of them!!! may your body be rested and your mind remain as beautiful as it is this day and always...much love light and blessings~
ps...glad you said no to the "oscopy" i would be running the other way as well!!!
Hi faerwillow,
I have to remind myself too; in the art supply department, there is always some sort of information pushing a *new and better* product.
Generally I try and trow it away before I read too far! LOL!!!
I always figured as long as I had a roof over my head and could make art, life was good.
And it is. ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Perfectly said! Life has a meaning MUCH deeper than "who has the most *stuff*"! And those who realize that are the happiest!!
♥ audrey
Thanks Anne, great post to start my day with. I like to think that I know what the simple pleasures are and that I rejoice in them. Like looking out my window right now to see the birds there eating the seeds I put out, feeling the warm fire at my back, enjoying the fragrant cup of coffee in my hand. Thanks for the reminder. Hope you have a relaxing day.
One of the reasons I love ya!! After my divorce to Dr. Bill, I realized that I had always appreciated those quiet and simple moments life provided, but when you live in the eye of the storm for 25 years, you just notice it because you're striving for bigger and better, which really never is fodder for a healthy and happy soul.
As I have always said, the only thing he changed about himself was his address and new bed mate! I went through many manifestations, but came back to me...the person who always loved just being. Like Thoreau, I too believe in "simplify, simplify, simplify!"
Hopefully, I have taught my children and grandchildren to be still and cherish those moments because they're plentiful.
Great post, my friend.
Loves ya,
G
Hey Audrey!
I think most of us have, over time, accumulated more stuff than we care to admit...one way or another.
Stripping things down lets life be lighter.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey Jan,
I wish I was there with you~~sounds absolutely perfect!!! I'll bring donuts... ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey Georgina!
OMG.....you always make me laugh with the way you state things, and I think the *EX* statement is perfect!
It is nice to be happy in the skin we're in....yes? ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Great, great post! It's always good to be reminded to be glad for the small things which really are the big things. I was on a blog recently where a guy basically said art was useless although he'd just made a terrific wreath of dollar store toys with his son. I had to tell him the worth was in the being present with his son. I guess he didn't realize that or did he truly not feel the importance of it. His son is 13; soon he'll be busy with everything but his dad. Time is precious and we spend it in mostly small moments. I'm going out to visit the grandkids, sisters and kids in California in a week and a half and plan to enjoy lots of small moments there but even here, I need to enjoy the everyday small moments while anticipating my trip. I can appreciate the rain we had the other day as it is water for life here and for our well. Today, my cat is playing with a ball just now. I enjoy watching her and the sun is shining on her. Yes, it's a good day. Thanks again for the reminder.
I love your purple tulip... the cold rain is here now so I am praying for my daffodils. Gratitude for the simple pleasures of daily living are the moments often overlooked. You lift me heart dear friend. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen
Please be careful moving that heavy dirt and soils. Guard your body's strength.
Hey Freebird,
Isn't it sad that the man was so negative first about ART which is a proven therapy and even more so about the time he spent with his son? Do you ever wonder what is going on in folks heads?
It sounds like you have an abundance of small pleasures planned~~ENJOY!!! Completely!!!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey MAry Helen,
It is cold here too with a chance for more rain; I'm glad I rescued the little flowers yesterday!
Yeah, the body is real unhappy and giving me an earful--I knew it would, but then, I knew if the work wasn't done I would have a rock hard clay ridge right through the middle of the yard.
I'm just being a sloth.... ;-D
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Anne I love this post. Your words softly inspire me. I agree about people missing the small pleasures in life and I include myself in there at times! I long to be more present in the moment and that is where my art comes in. I am so thankful to have found this new journey I am on!
Love the photo!
xoxo
Cathy, I think we all forget the small things and need reminding, especially the way things are now. But I think artists are blessed with the ability to pick out the small and wonderful and preserve it for others.
Maybe that's why we're here, in the long run!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hi Anne. Very nice post. It is the simple things in life that count, you are right about that. We have to appreciate the little things we have, we may not have them tomorrow. Very nice.
By the way, I've decided to go with what you said, Acrylics and Gel. I will try that out before I go invest in costly paints. Thanks Anne, I appreciate it. Have a wonderful meaningful day.
Hey Gloria,
Glad I could help a bit on the paint issue; I hate to see people spend money on cheap oils and then be disappointed with what they do.
Painting should be a pleasure and not a fight! (well, mine is frequently a bit on the fighting side...LOL!!!)
Have fun with your projects!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hi Anne! We have a kind of joke here. We fight over who gets to go outside and 'dig the hole'. There is something about physical exercise of the mindless variety that I dearly love. A couple of days ago I trimmed some butterfly bushes. Snip, snip, snip. Almost as good as getting to dig a hole - lol! And I think a cup of tea, watching birds is one of the nicest things in the world. xox! Pam
What a lovely way to explain a lot of things Anne. I have been thinking about this a lot lately too.
Too much time on a heating pad on the couch maybe.
Today I do feel a little better and it was so nice to read this post and see that beautiful flower bouquet!
Thanks Anne. I hope your body gets better fast.
Your mind is in great shape.
Well Pam, WHERE WERE YOU YESTERDAY??? LOL!!!! Because there was a loooooooong hole that had a whole lot of leveling! hahahaha!!!
Trust me---it would have been way too much quality time! ;-D
The cup of tea and the birds....*sigh*
Yes, very nice indeed!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey Marie,
Why is it I always think it is the other way around...? ;-D Yeah, I hit the couch like a brick~~totally useless, day gone.
Oh well, the body needed it for sure!
But the TV was so boring it sent me into a stupor....LOL!!!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
You've got it exactly right, the only things I would add is the serenity from relaxing yoga, (sounds like you need to stretch out!) stroking my dog & cats, looking into the eyes of my sons & being in the arms of my loved one. Life is good I know I'm so lucky.
Sounds good Emma, especially the stretching, or maybe I could get a masseuse!
I forgot to add talking to my Budgies...the little fire balls, and they know what I'm saying too.
Life *IS* good!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hi Anne! I wanted to thank you for signing up to follow me, it led me to your wonderful blog.
I have looked over your blog, and I must say you are one talented gal. Love your style girl!
I adore mixed media art and I love DeMeng, too. I'm following you now and I will be adding a link to your blog in my sidebar.
Nice post...perfectly said:)
Happy Spring,
Gaby
brings me smile this morning, thank youuuu!!!!!
how are you QPA????
;)))
Love, love, love this list. Too much stuff, too big, too huge, too greedy. All of it just makes one ,iss the living of living. The mind free floating mwhile on the tractor seat, yup. My most profound ideas come while water cascades over my head in the shower. i am afishy after all, gotta be in the water. You go girl. xox Corrine
Amen to all of it sister!! I so agree about the small things in life really being the bigger things.
I wish my nephew would get this. He's forty, has a TV in every room, 3 cars, no job but his wife works her butt off, and the kids are spoiled because they have special needs. Both boys are nearly 100 pounds overweight from having every available type of junk food and snack stuffed in the cupboards! And all my nephew does is brag about how much they have and what it costs. It just turns my stomach.
I don't like being in a precarious financial situation since I haven't been working, but I can honestly say there's nothing I need or desire. As a matter of fact I'll be thinning things out to give away!
Okay, maybe there IS one small thing I desire. The arrival of honest-to-goodness Spring!! More snow last night. Ugh.It's nearly gone already but it's cold as hell out there!
Oh well. I hope your body has a better day today. The studio awaits your geniusness ;)
xoxo
lolo♥
I am sooooo there with you........
Your posy of spring flowers is absolutely beautiful and beautifully photographed. Very lovely post to get the day going, Anne, and so much truth in what you and your readers have said. I never like to miss any of the comments because they have such wisdom to impart. I hope your body is feeling better - they say hard work never hurt anyone but it certainly can "hurt". xox
I'm behind on commenting again (what's new!!) - this is one of your best Anne. My current downsizing efforts are definitely resulting in a feeling of freedom in so many ways. We don't need as much 'stuff' as we manage to accumulate - keeping things for the proverbial rainy day quite often results in an internal storm.
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