In the crazy hustle and bustle of the day, sometimes all it takes is one small thing to bring you joy. It’s so easy to get all wrapped up in your “to do list” that sometimes we just become overwhelmed with life! When this happens, especially at Maggie’s Place, I’ve learned to take a mental break, and sometimes, something catches my attention and all of a sudden a little joy and peace breaks in. I love those little moments, the simple pleasures.
Can you imagine how exhausting and boring everything would be if we always needed something big to bring us a joy? To make us feel alive? I love the simple pleasures; they’re like finding the Easter eggs of life. Just the other morning I went out for a walk when a dog and his owner came up the trail. The dog had an ear that stood upright and an ear that flopped- how curious and adorable is that? Then I noticed all the odd little places that some birds have made their home around our neighborhood. From cactuses, to old holes in walls, to ornate birdhouses, to good old fashion trees, they were all peculiar and beautiful.
The best part of simple pleasures is they’re usually a surprise. Our God is a God who gives and gives, constantly trying to bring us joy and consolation; we’re just too busy to notice sometimes. I have days where things are just so overwhelming and then all of a sudden a simple pleasure comes up and it feels like my soul had a breath of fresh air. It could be an unexpected affirmation, a smile from a stranger, exciting news, or a baby’s laugh!
Case in point: after a long day I was sitting at my desk in front of the computer, trying to remember one of the million ideas buzzing around in my head, when I heard baby Addison cackling away! I went to see the commotion, and Malia (one of our Corps members) was playing peek-a-boo with a pillow. Addison could not get enough of it! It was so cute that we all eventually came out into the living room to enjoy the show.
When was the last time you really paused and just completely engrossed yourself in enjoying something? It could be as simple as looking out the window at the sunshine and offering thanksgiving for that blessing. Simple pleasures train us to be grateful, and what better way to be grateful than by enjoying God’s blessings? If you gave someone a gift, isn’t that what you would want? Try to find a simple pleasure today, make it count, and thank God for it!
-Lety, Director of Volunteers at The Elizabeth House
