Yup, we’re getting philosophical on the blog today: what is happiness for you?
Maybe it’s the smell of rain.
Maybe it’s ice cream. (Hi Mom!)
Maybe it’s the way the person you love looks at you.
Defining happiness could be downright impossible….but on Saturday I stumbled upon this book in Urban Outfitters…
It made me think really carefully about the little things I find in life that make me happy. Sometimes our own little worlds take over and causes us to be robots in our daily routine: coffee, work, bills, papers, kids, pets, gym, etc. Do we ever stop for a minute to look around and appreciate the simplicity of being alive? Or how lucky we are for that matter?
Maybe I’m just a little bit weirder than everyone else, but I’ve had a lot of time on my hands the past week since my classes don’t start yet. No shame, I’ve had time to think.
Before I stopped in Urban Outfitters, I enjoyed a delicious lunch in the park and soaked in my surroundings. Children laughing and playing, parents talking, people reading and enjoying one another’s company.
One thing I did NOT see was a cellphone or any other electronic device. I put mine away because it’s such a habit to have your phone out when you’re alone, making it seem like you’re more important than you actually are. Don’t scoff, we all do it and that’s totally fine! As I ate, a man sat down next to me on my bench and started to eat his lunch. After his first bite, the end of his yummy-looking wrap fell all over the ground.
When he started to laugh, I looked over and said, “oh gosh, no!” and tried to help save some of the remains. He told me not to worry, the first bite he had was delicious and so worth the line he stood in to get it.
He also said, “at least it’s Friday right? I’ve got the whole weekend to get another wrap that will be even better than this one!” Before he departed, his sunglasses dropped off his lap but I quickly returned them to him.
“Wow thanks, you’re sure saving my clumsy self today! Have an awesome day!”
Amazing. His kindness and lighthearted attitude made me so happy. I was glad I met this man who reminded me that we take things in life a little too seriously. Don’t stress over a spilled wrap, life goes on!
I felt so serene sitting in that park and just appreciating how lucky I am to be alive…I’ll have to remember that feeling when the semester gets rough.
So….bless you if you made it this far, but here are a few little things that I try not to take for granted and make me happy:
- The way my boyfriend looks at me.
- Baking, especially these brownies I made yesterday….
- A good hug.
- An unexpected bouquet of flowers.
- Hand-written letters.
- A picnic with someone you love.
- Candlelit dinners.
- Free hotel breakfasts.
- Pictures of puppies and cute babies.
- Running into an old friend or teacher.
- Performing onstage.
- Shaving all of the leg hair off without missing any spots.
- Getting a window seat on a plane.
- When the food you made looks identical to the recipe picture.
- The smell of blowing out candles.
And so much more!!!!
Feeling inspired yet? I’ll leave you with this:
What is happiness for you?!? Tell me below or don’t tell me! It’s your life, it’s your happiness.
To buy the book, go HERE.
To bake the brownies, go HERE.
BE WELL, AND BE HAPPY.❤