Find Joy In The Small Things In Life

“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” – Socrates

People say you can’t buy happiness, and that is true. Money can be used as an aiding tool for certain matters up to a point. But beyond that point, it simply isn’t necessary.

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It’s the little things that count

When we think back on our memories with our loved ones, it isn’t the big things we remember most. It’s the little things. The breakfasts in bed. The walks along the beach. The deep conversations. The touch of another person. Being held while you wept during the trying times. Being joined in laughter during the lighter moments in life. Sitting in silence and being entirely comfortable in each other’s presence.

As for finding one’s joy… life can make it difficult at times. We all know that life is more than just sunshine and laughter. It is unexpected and ruthless and harsh and wonderful, all at once.

But the thing to remember is that nothing lasts. Be it good times or bad, it will all pass eventually. So we must bear with the hardships and face them head on. And savour every moment of love and light. That way those memories can light our way when the darkness has fallen.

These are a few of my favourite things…

Whether I have had a good day or a bad one, I still try to list my favourite things. Things that make me glad to be alive and things that make me feel alive. It could be certain books that I want to reread. A song I like listening to, a movie I enjoy watching, or a garment I feel myself in. It can be things like the smell of freshly baked bread and a fresh pot of coffee. Or being met with warmth and the scent of an apple cake after a rainy autumn walk in the woods. The first warming rays of sunshine on a nippy day of spring. Seeing the white flowers emerge from the frozen ground as the snow melts.

Little things, beautiful moments that we sometimes think nothing of, will become most precious to us once we realise their worth. When we lose someone, we will remember their scent, the way their hands felt around our own, their smiles and their voice. And if we have known them well enough, we will know their voice enough to hear it clearly at times. We will know what they would say in certain situations and the memories and our imagination of their words of advice and encouragement will keep us warm.

The bucket list

So many think that life is about a bucket list that is the same for everyone. Certain landmarks and “important” places a person must see, concerts they need to have hear, journeys they need to make and things they need to try. But it isn’t about that. It’s all well and good to live life to the fullest and experience as much as possible. It’s great even. But if we don’t slow down every once in a while, and stop to smell the roses, we won’t enjoy any of it. We simply won’t have the energy.

Enjoying life should not be difficult or a chore. It’s not a point to cross off on a checklist. Life is in the every day lives we lead, the interactions we have with other human beings, and with animals. The emotions we feel, the moments that nearly break us, and the moments that makes us soar.

Money is not required to make memories

Spending time with our loved ones, experiencing things, and making memories… None of those things require money.

As an example, parents often think they need to provide their children with the best and the greatest, that they must give them the latest toy or whatever they’re wishing for, or be able to afford every spare time activity they want to try. Many feel pressure to take their families on vacations abroad, dinners out and such.

But as for me, my best memories as a child were the moments when we were all together without distractions. One memory, in particular, was when the living room was going to get new wallpaper put up. We had emptied the room and laid out mattresses. We laid there talking, eating treats and just spending time with each other. It cost nothing and meant the world to me.

Come to think of it, each of my fondest memories are of moments that cost nothing in terms of money, but felt so good emotionally and spiritually. Time spent in nature. Watching the sunrise or lying on a blanket watching the stars in the countryside. The year’s first swim in the ocean on a hot summer’s day. Dipping your toes in the water to make sure it’s warm enough… And time spent with other people or animals, just enjoying each other’s company.

Life is simple, humans make it complicated

This is our reality. Life is so very simple, but we make it complicated. I heard someone say that there are no problems. We create problems. For every problem, there is a solution, true. Though not creating the problem in the first place would be better still. The person went on to say that the only thing we need to do is live, and I really like that. Life is about enjoying the passage of time. Enjoying seeing the seasons turn. It’s about planting trees that we will never get to sit underneath. Making a mark on the world, leaving something behind that will comfort and help future generations.

The meaning of life is not money. It is love. Living is love.