The older I get, the more I realise that something as free as happiness isn't so easily accessible. There have been days when I reminisce on my childhood and how much of a free spirit I was. Little, random and very insignificant things could make me extremely happy.
I remember how happy I would get whenever a new pencil or pencil sharpener was bought for me. Another moment I remember being extremely happy was the first day I was allowed to write with a pen. It was only "older people" who were allowed to write with a pen so you could imagine my delight. Now, these things just feel normal .
Happiness is a state of being and upon careful analysis a couple of years back, I came to a conclusion that I owe it to myself to be happy. No one is going to do that for me. Everyday, I try to surround myself with items that could bring joy to my life.
At some point in my life, I thought that luxurious and flashy items would bring me so much joy. And they did; to an extent. But, this joy was short-lived. One minute, I'm totally stoked because I just purchased a reigning fashion item that people could literally kill for and the next minute, this excitement is gone. If we all want to be honest with ourselves, we'd come to the conclusion that human wants are insatiable. The more you purchase, the more your wants increase . At such a cross road, there are always two glaring options; you keep trying to satisfy these unending and constantly increasing wants or you gain total control of yourself and learn to live life in simplicity and contentment. If you ask me, I'd go for the latter.
Sometimes, it amuses me how things that people would easily overlook bring so much joy and peace to my life. Many may see these things as absurd while others may see them as a chore but I see them as sources of happiness. As a minimalist, I've learnt to appreciate Simplicity because I've had a taste of both the simple and complex and I would pick simplicity a thousand times over. One wouldn't know until they experience it.
Long Walks
Taking long walks is probably one of my favourite things to do. Taking something as simple as a walk has so many benefits ranging from health benefits and spanning all the way to emotional benefits. The picture above was captured about two months ago when I went for a long walk.
For some reason, I felt really overwhelmed that day and whenever I feel this way, nothing interests me. Amidst my dilemma, a strong urge to take a walk came and I willfully succumbed. I carried my phone and my water flask as I set out on this journey.
After walking to a point and walking back home, I felt so relieved. Who would have thought that just leaving my room, walking on the road and watching as people went about their daily lives would bring so much relief to me.
Watching The clouds
I've had this love for watching the clouds for a very long time. There is this satisfaction I derive whenever I look up to the blue skies and I see white patterns(clouds). The sharp contrast between the blue and white colour, and the amazing looking patterns just make me so glad.
I've caught myself unconsciously smiling whenever I look up sometimes. On a few occasions, I've sat down to wonder why people do not appreciate the clouds as much as I do. Don't they see the beauty in simplicity? The clouds are usually very alluring on sunny days and you bet that I am always looking up to the sky on sunny days:)
Doing The Dishes
I'm certain that my seven year old self would never have seen this part coming. As a kid and as the last child of my parents, I hated doing the dishes. My siblings didn't make doing the dishes any easier. Let's say, we were all assigned different chores and from time to time, we could switch chores but absolutely nobody wanted to switch with me. My brother tried it once and vowed never to do it again. This only means that I was the one at the kitchen sink all the time.
While still battling with my hatred for the chore I read a book. In this book, the author narrated how he "saw the face of God" in every dish he washed. His analogy was "if you believe in God and you see His face in every dish, you would happily wash every dish– and that too, properly ".
That quote was a turning point for me. From that day, I took watching dishes as a time to reflect and not a time to do my chores. Ever since then, I've loved doing the dishes. It got to a point where I would walk into the kitchen in search of dishes to wash and if I find none, I rewash the ones I had already washed. Doing this opens my mind up and as my mind is opened up, there is an outflow of negative energy and an inflow of positivity.
Music
I cannot overemphasise the effect music has on me. I always tell anyone who cares to listen that good music is therapeutic. There are these set of calm and soothing songs I usually listen to whenever I want to go into contemplation(or meditation like most people call it). Most of them are just tunes without lyrics.
This practice rejuvenates me in a way. It fills me with a sense of endless possibilities and that is one of the best feelings a person could ever experience.
Crafts
There is no way I would talk about everyday things that bring a sense of joy and purpose to my life without mentioning crafts. Educationally, I'm a scientist but if we want to drop education then I would call myself an artist, a craftsman maybe. Making crafts and actually getting an amazing end result usually fills me with so much joy. When I say crafts, I'm talking crocheting, painting, upcycling, recycling, you name it.
Crafting has been an integral part of my existence and happiness right from childhood and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Very simple and possibly insignificant things are my sources of happiness and I can't be more grateful. Learning to be content with the little things we have is a major step to a happy and fulfilling life.
All images used belong to me and were taken with my mobile device except stated otherwise. This post is in response to the simple and thoughtful contest prompt. Do well to check it out.
Love, Wongi ✨