Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Some weeks are easier to find my Simple Joys than others. It seems that how I relate to people who, quite simply, won’t change, can throw me for a loop. In short, it can wreck my sanity.

Finding Simple Joys in that seemingly endless loop may appear impossible.

It’s not.

First I had to calm down. I cannot change other people but I can change me. Once calm I am able to find perspective, make a new plan, and usually come out far better than I was before.

The enlightened and lightened spirit allows me to easily locate my Simple Joys.

Sometimes realizing when to let go is a Simple Joy. Change is difficult but can ultimately lead to a better self.

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

Shawn Inmon. Shawn is a writer whose work I stumbled upon when looking for books to upload onto my Kindle. His work Feels Like The First Time was, at the time, a free book so I took a chance. From the moment I read the introductory paragraph describing the book I was hooked. Shawn was in love with his high school girlfriend Dawn but life circumstances took them away from one another. Later in life their paths intersected again and they reignited the spark of their intense love.

Having married my high school sweetheart after never having broken up I was fascinated by love that hibernated yet survived through the decades only to be re-stoked. The story was well written, true, and heartfelt. I immediately began following Shawn on Facebook and was rewarded with several daily updates, funny tidbits, and a glimpse into the true Shawn’s personality. And I enjoy it immensely!

Taking a chance on a book and connecting with its author in such a strong way is an invaluable Simple Joy.

Blistex Lip Medex. Years ago I used to suffer from severe dry lips. It was yucky. My husband introduced me to a Blistex product that gave immediate relieve and eventually healed my overly chapped lips.

Now I am NEVER without this little container of elixir. I use it every single night as part of my get-ready-for-bed routine and it makes my lips… well... luscious!

Having kissable lips every single day is a Simple Joy I cannot afford not to indulge!

True-blue friends. There are those in life you come across who you think you have a real connection but it turns out nothing about them is real. I still have an open heart and a trusting soul, but I’m becoming worldly-wise out of necessity.

What I do know, however, is I truly have made the strongest of friendships throughout my life and these friends have rallied around me to cheer me when I was licking my wounds.

Having friends who care for and support me is a Simple Joy for the ages and one I do not take for granted.

Handmade gifts – I saw some of those true-blue friends over the weekend and we celebrated my birthday belatedly. My friend Karen is a very talented jewelry maker who makes jewelry as a hobby. She’s great at it and presented me with a gorgeous bracelet and dazzling earrings that she made!

Receiving a gift that extraordinary that is also a labor of love is a truly meaningful Simple Joy.

Time together. As summer winds down, school begins, and activities rev up, I know it will be rare to have a quiet weekend or even day together as a family. Over Labor Day Weekend we spent a ton of quality time together.

Modern families are always on the go and life comes at you pretty quickly, but spending face time together when you can is a most fulfilling Simple Joy.

It is easy for me to come off track but assembling tools throughout my life has given me the strength to get back on track faster. No longer do I give power to others over how I feel or give myself value.

My efforts to find my Simple Joys have elevated my self-worth, beefed up my self-esteem, and made me more compassionate toward myself and others.

Simple Joys are many things to me and come in myriad forms. They are simple and complicated, joyful and bittersweet, lasting and fleeting, but they are always around to cheer me.

My hope has always been that reading Simple Joys in some way encourages you to find your own. Once you do you’ll find Simple Joys are ever-present and ready for the enjoying.

Wishing you all a week full of Simple Joys!