Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Finding and recognizing my Simple Joys again in the last couple of weeks has truly enriched my life. By constantly being on the lookout I find I am more able to live in the moment, experience joy even if it is fleeting, and look forward to every opportunity to find ever more joy.

These personal findings aren’t meant to do anything than to keep my perspective. I’m neither preaching nor bragging. I simply want to share with you the times I found Simple Joys in the last week. It helps me keep balance and perspective in my overly busy, stressful life, and I hope it inspires you to do the same.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Twitter friendship – It’s difficult to say Twitter “followers” and “followees” are friends, but some actually do become ones. I have some awesome friendships that began there – Doc, Johnny, Ted, JJ, and more – and others who became fun acquaintances.

When one of my friends retweeted (RT) my last week’s Simple Joys post, one of her friends RT’d it, too. The assumption was that I suffered from “Fibro”. I quickly corrected the error – I don’t – but was stricken with two thoughts. First, how sad it is that people suffer from all types of conditions “24 hours a day in pain” as I was told. Second, how my Simple Joys piece resonated so strongly with this community.

Having my work – truly a selfish piece – impacting people so strongly is a Simple Joy that is powerful and humbling.

Facebook Birthday Greetings. Over the years replying to Facebook birthday greetings took a small part of my day and was always enjoyable.

It’s still immensely enjoyable to see all of the lovely birthday greetings, but now there are so many I’m hard pressed to keep up with all of them. I am NOT complaining. It means the world to me to see the multiple good wishes, heartfelt hellos, and good will being sent my way.

Having a plethora of friends sending wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook is an overwhelming Simple Joy!

Birthday dinner. Some people spend their birthday dinners going out to dinner and I admit I do enjoy doing just that. This year, however, with my birthday falling on a Saturday, a larger group than normal gathered, and still having young children, I chose a meal at home.

With extended family, the best of summer’s fresh produce, and a gorgeous night weather-wise, I had one of the best birthdays of my life!

Spending my birthday dinner at home surrounded by loved ones was a most pleasing and excellent Simple Joy.

Birthday Race Chat. Once the dinner party was over and the children were tucked into bed, each with a story, I relaxed into the last part of my evening watching the NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Bristol. I watch the race while chatting with my friends on the Drafting the Circuits Facebook page.

I’m not one to sit still and watch a race for four hours from start to finish alone, but while hanging out online, chatting with my friends, the time melts away. It was a thrill to get back to my online life during a race!

Indulging in watching a NASCAR race with my online friends is a consistent Simple Joy.

Russell Stover Candy. My big brother was able to spend my birthday with me; he arrived from out-of-state to join me for dinner. He brought a big hug, a sweet card, and a box of Russell Stover’s Candy.

At dessert I opened the box and everybody delighted in their favorite candy. It’s like a tiny bit of Christmas on a summer’s night.
The candy was scrumptious! Sometimes a little sweetness and choice makes the day perfect!

Having a fresh box of Russell Stover’s Candy to close out my birthday celebration was a sweet Simple Joy.

My Simple Joys revolved around people – and chocolate – this week.

As I get older I realize so much more clearly that a present for a birthday means far less than a relative being at the dinner table.
That a person’s richness is measured by how many lives they touch and who remembers them fondly than by how much is in their wallet is another lesson I’m learning.

Remembering to look for Simple Joys – good health, pain-free day or hour or even minute, surrounding oneself with family and friends – and appreciating them in every form is powerful.

Even in this short time I have gained so much from paying attention to my Simple Joys. I’ll continue to write mine weekly. My hope is that in some way you find a way to spot your Simple Joys throughout the week.

Wishing you a week filled with Simple Joys!