Thank you so much for sharing your list, Lisa, it is so interesting to see what other people include and usually I see something I think "How did I leave that off?" Spending time alone is a great addition, I am going to add that to mine, thank you.
Spending time alone... that's the first thing that caught my eye. It's always nice to see that others love my favorite hobby too (even if I don't get to practice it very often as a homeschooling mom). Talking to trees is another.
Spending time alone is such a necessity (well for me anyway). Hats off to you for homeschooling Cheryl, I admire anyone who has the patience to do that, I don't think I would have lasted five minutes with my son! And I talk to trees too, and insects, in fact most things, including myself.🤣
Our daughter turned 14 this summer and does a lot on her own now. When I was little my mom was irritated at my patience, wondering how I could spend so long doing one thing... Guess I haven't changed all that much.
Lisa, I write journal but this “happiness journal” sounds a great idea, it sets the tone of being positive. I read somewhere “ journal is a way to process our feelings”. I benefit from it for some years. You are another inspiration in addition to our lovely Lindsey.
What a thoughtful and inspiring read. Ill definitely give the Brecht program a listen, thank you for that link too. I can already gauge that my list will be long and forever changing....most definitely to include the smell of my dogs ears, the first sip of tea as I sit in the cool air of the garden, old songs, new (to me) books....
And am so with you on the Michael McIntyre front!!
Thank you Vicky. I really enjoyed the programme, I hope you do too if you listen to it. I think of something everyday I could add to the list, this morning it was a perfect slice of hot toast and butter. And that first sip of tea would be very nice too. x I can't see what anyone thinks is funny about Mr McIntyre - horses for courses, Vicky! Have a lovely week. x
Looking down your list… A kindness, conversation, making someone smile and I just thought about meeting you on Friday where I experienced all these things. Add friendship, sunny morning dog walks, and I’m not sure I need much more.
Oh how lovely, Gina, thank you so much, that's a lovely comment to receive. Hopefully you had a sunny morning dog walk this morning, it's been a lovely day so far. Have a good week whatever you are up to, with lots of simple pleasures. 😘
Lovely Lindsay, I try to think of 3 things I am grateful for every morning when I wake up I don’t always remember to do it and when I do there’s always more than three but it’s a nice little practice to do first thing. My list :
Gratitude for my garden, my flowers, my house, my family, my little granddaughter who brings us such joy, where I live, that we are safe, we have enough of everything, my health, that I had my son Luke for 27 years, my freedom, a beautiful day…….. there is so much to be grateful for each and every day
I love the idea that you think of 3 things every morning, Liz, that is a wonderful way to start the day. And your list is the most beautiful reminder that we have so many reasons to be grateful. I will certainly be pinching some of those to put on my list. Thank you so much for sharing, being grateful has a such a positive effect on our lives I think. I did mean cosplay - I don't have a problem with people dressing up but the idea of a grown man donning a Chewbacca costume every week doesn't really appeal to me - it's a good job we're all different Liz, it makes the world a far more interesting place. x Have a lovely week. x
It's absolutely huge, Liz, they have big events all over the world. Not my cup of tea but if that's what floats your boat why not - probably a great way of meeting people and it's harmless fun, I suppose it's like one big fancy dress party!
Very inspiring. I am sure I can make a long list as I keep my mind open and my curiosity growing; meanwhile, keep being mindful everyday to appreciate the simple pleasure. Thank you Lindsey for inspiring us.
Thank you Nancy, if we can take delight in all the little pleasures we don’t need to look for the big ones so much! As always thank you for your kind words. x
This is just joyous, Karen, every single one of these could be on my list too, although sadly not grandchildren, I am not sure if I will ever have that pleasure but that’s life and I have plenty to keep me from moping about it. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful list, you should print it out and put it in a little frame somewhere. x
That’s really lovely of you to say Lindsey. Yes I should print it out, that’s a great idea. I’ve heard of people who adopt elders as grandparents as their families are not near or alive - never say never xxx
This is wonderful Meryl, what a fantastic list, I had to Google ‘cwtch’, another lovely Welsh word I know now! Would you mind if I share your pleasures on my Notes? I’m so pleased you listened to the programme and enjoyed it, I loved it. Thank you for sharing your list with me, there are quite a few things here I could happily add to mine.😘
You inspired my poem today, in a different way! I love your paintings, by the way. Great colors. I just started crocheting a sweater… all cosy and nice and quiet chez moi!
You clever thing, I cannot imagine what a sweater would look like if I tried to crochet one! And thank you for being so kind. Cosy and quiet sounds perfect, I shall pop over and read your poem right this minute. x
Thank you Juliet. It's strange isn't it how our perception of 'young' changes. 58 sounds very young to me too now, I remember actually being very young and thinking 40 sounded ancient.
You are young, Juliet! Weirdly I think I felt older in my fifties than I do in my sixties, not so much physically, but mentally. I feel much more positive about ageing now, there are so many things to do!
Love your list!
Mine would be…
Spending time alone
The company of my daughter
The company of my mother
Dark chocolate
Hugging a tree
The ocean
Laughter
Hanging clothes on the clothesline
Autumn
Kindness to strangers
I have a Happiness journal that is a bullet point of observations that make me happy. I started this journal 15 years ago and it’s still going strong.
Seeing other people’s lists would certainly save a lot of time in the dating world…
Thank you so much for sharing your list, Lisa, it is so interesting to see what other people include and usually I see something I think "How did I leave that off?" Spending time alone is a great addition, I am going to add that to mine, thank you.
Spending time alone... that's the first thing that caught my eye. It's always nice to see that others love my favorite hobby too (even if I don't get to practice it very often as a homeschooling mom). Talking to trees is another.
Spending time alone is such a necessity (well for me anyway). Hats off to you for homeschooling Cheryl, I admire anyone who has the patience to do that, I don't think I would have lasted five minutes with my son! And I talk to trees too, and insects, in fact most things, including myself.🤣
Our daughter turned 14 this summer and does a lot on her own now. When I was little my mom was irritated at my patience, wondering how I could spend so long doing one thing... Guess I haven't changed all that much.
Lisa, I write journal but this “happiness journal” sounds a great idea, it sets the tone of being positive. I read somewhere “ journal is a way to process our feelings”. I benefit from it for some years. You are another inspiration in addition to our lovely Lindsey.
I love it when people connect, it brings me so much joy! Happy journalling you two. x
Thank you:)
I started this practice after reading The Happiness Project when the book first came out. It's a good reminder:)
What a thoughtful and inspiring read. Ill definitely give the Brecht program a listen, thank you for that link too. I can already gauge that my list will be long and forever changing....most definitely to include the smell of my dogs ears, the first sip of tea as I sit in the cool air of the garden, old songs, new (to me) books....
And am so with you on the Michael McIntyre front!!
Thank you Vicky. I really enjoyed the programme, I hope you do too if you listen to it. I think of something everyday I could add to the list, this morning it was a perfect slice of hot toast and butter. And that first sip of tea would be very nice too. x I can't see what anyone thinks is funny about Mr McIntyre - horses for courses, Vicky! Have a lovely week. x
Looking down your list… A kindness, conversation, making someone smile and I just thought about meeting you on Friday where I experienced all these things. Add friendship, sunny morning dog walks, and I’m not sure I need much more.
Oh how lovely, Gina, thank you so much, that's a lovely comment to receive. Hopefully you had a sunny morning dog walk this morning, it's been a lovely day so far. Have a good week whatever you are up to, with lots of simple pleasures. 😘
Thank you! It was a lovely sunny walk this morning. I hope your week is also full of small pleasures xx
Lovely Lindsay, I try to think of 3 things I am grateful for every morning when I wake up I don’t always remember to do it and when I do there’s always more than three but it’s a nice little practice to do first thing. My list :
Gratitude for my garden, my flowers, my house, my family, my little granddaughter who brings us such joy, where I live, that we are safe, we have enough of everything, my health, that I had my son Luke for 27 years, my freedom, a beautiful day…….. there is so much to be grateful for each and every day
Liz xxx
I love the idea that you think of 3 things every morning, Liz, that is a wonderful way to start the day. And your list is the most beautiful reminder that we have so many reasons to be grateful. I will certainly be pinching some of those to put on my list. Thank you so much for sharing, being grateful has a such a positive effect on our lives I think. I did mean cosplay - I don't have a problem with people dressing up but the idea of a grown man donning a Chewbacca costume every week doesn't really appeal to me - it's a good job we're all different Liz, it makes the world a far more interesting place. x Have a lovely week. x
Ooh haha I’ve never heard of cosplay you learn something new everyday 🤣
It's absolutely huge, Liz, they have big events all over the world. Not my cup of tea but if that's what floats your boat why not - probably a great way of meeting people and it's harmless fun, I suppose it's like one big fancy dress party!
Very inspiring. I am sure I can make a long list as I keep my mind open and my curiosity growing; meanwhile, keep being mindful everyday to appreciate the simple pleasure. Thank you Lindsey for inspiring us.
Thank you Nancy, if we can take delight in all the little pleasures we don’t need to look for the big ones so much! As always thank you for your kind words. x
My list
Refreshing people, that enhance your life and bring joy
Growing and the delight of something coming into fruition
Wildlife
Old English roses, especially their scent
Dogs
Fresh bedding
The sound of the sea
Identifying a bird by sound or flight
Conkers and acorns
Enjoying a meal made from our own produce
Sharing home grown produce
My garden
Little acts of kindness
My grandchildren, they give a huge amount of pleasure. They also exhaust me.
Cutting my own flowers and placing them in a vase or sharing them
Sweet peas
A cup of tea
Overhearing quirky comments (I’m hearing impaired, aids in both ears, it’s a pleasure to hear something)
People watching and creating life stories for them
Songs that make you want to dance or sing or doing both
Hugs
Gratitude, it’s a two way thing
Oh my I think I need to stop Lindsey, I could go on. Thank you for bringing pleasure into my life. You definitely enhance it xxx
This is just joyous, Karen, every single one of these could be on my list too, although sadly not grandchildren, I am not sure if I will ever have that pleasure but that’s life and I have plenty to keep me from moping about it. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful list, you should print it out and put it in a little frame somewhere. x
That’s really lovely of you to say Lindsey. Yes I should print it out, that’s a great idea. I’ve heard of people who adopt elders as grandparents as their families are not near or alive - never say never xxx
Thank you for introducing me to Bertolt Brecht’s poem ‘Pleasures’ which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to on BBC SOUNDS this afternoon!
These are my simple pleasures:-
A ‘cwtch’ from my son
Being followed by brown eyes and wagging tails
Spring’s renewal
My garden is my happy place
Long walks with friends
Hand embroidering
Summer’s azure blue skies
Smell of freshly mown grass
Reading books and RHS: The Garden magazines
Question Time
Autumn’s crispness
Travelling around UK
Burning rubbish
Winter’s cold, dark nights
This is wonderful Meryl, what a fantastic list, I had to Google ‘cwtch’, another lovely Welsh word I know now! Would you mind if I share your pleasures on my Notes? I’m so pleased you listened to the programme and enjoyed it, I loved it. Thank you for sharing your list with me, there are quite a few things here I could happily add to mine.😘
Of course Lindsey! 🙏
Thank you!
So many joyful moments to be found in the everyday 🙏✨
And they are usually right in front of our noses. x
You have a wonderful idea. Dates ought to share lists.
I think it would save an awful lot of time,Perry!
You inspired my poem today, in a different way! I love your paintings, by the way. Great colors. I just started crocheting a sweater… all cosy and nice and quiet chez moi!
You clever thing, I cannot imagine what a sweater would look like if I tried to crochet one! And thank you for being so kind. Cosy and quiet sounds perfect, I shall pop over and read your poem right this minute. x
Well my sweater isn’t made yet so we will see! The wool feels beautiful though…. I hope you like my poem ❤️
I did, very much. x
What a beautiful post and totally inspiring me to make my own listicle poem of likes... coming soon!
Thank you Cheryl, looking forward to seeing your own list/poem, please share!
You've got a lovely list there.
I didn't realise Brecht had died so young.
Thank you Juliet. It's strange isn't it how our perception of 'young' changes. 58 sounds very young to me too now, I remember actually being very young and thinking 40 sounded ancient.
Yes I know! My mother in law (81) often tells me I'm young (57)
You are young, Juliet! Weirdly I think I felt older in my fifties than I do in my sixties, not so much physically, but mentally. I feel much more positive about ageing now, there are so many things to do!
I work with a lot of older people, so I mostly feel quite positive about ageing.
What a lovely post. Are you familiar with J B Priestley’s Delight? I think you’d like it.
Thank you so much Liz! No, I was not familiar with Delight but I have just ordered it. I am sure I will love it, thank you again.
Ps Did you mean Coldplay for cosplay 🤔