Ten Simple Joys

I wished my friend Jenny a Happy 40th Birthday on text last week. I love sending a picture I zhuzh up on Instagram with stickers, party hats and then write some kind of message. This particular birthday message read, "I hope your day is as fun as Reece had at your park". We had just visited a few days prior to drop off an early birthday coffee while she was working from home. At our quick visit, she mentioned a really fun little park around the corner. So we immediately went!

Going to ANY park might be Reece's literal favorite thing to do. His facial expressions say it all.

But Jenny's response to our birthday wish was what really hit me most: "Thank you! One day I hope to live my best life like Reece."

Aren't we all wishing for that kind of peace and happiness?

Reece has been teaching me a lot about simple joys. Little humans live most of their days in simple joys. Give Reece a chopstick and he's in awe; laughing and banging around for way longer than any adult human could possibly understand. I mean, I can not recall a time that chopsticks made me that happy. But they should. They are fun! And they are the means to get wasabi and pickled ginger on my sushi and then to get said sushi into my mouth. So much joy for me in that! But when life gets busy, I forget these things. I'm in my own thoughts, thinking, assessing, preparing, trying to be two steps ahead of the day's game plan. Boss Babes will do that. And do it so it looks effortless. As a self proclaimed Boss Babe, who also is dyslexic and ADD, my brain is constantly ON and goinnnngggggg. Just yesterday I stopped to laugh at myself because I was cleaning the kitchen, while feeding Reece lunch, thinking about Father's Day plans, prepping a mental list of items needing to purchase for our upcoming move, texting the lawn guy to schedule some help, all while figuring out gifts for Father's Day/bdays/engagements/house-warmings happening in the upcoming weeks, also whats for dinner, and how will I get 5 more hours of work in this week. Oh and simultaneously putting in a grocery order to included the ingredients needed for the next batch of dog food (yes yes we cook all of the meals for our dogs every four days). This might be part of the reason why I forget..... a lot of stuff. My brain is on overload! I read somewhere that there is a small percent of people don't have a constant narrative running in their brain. I want to meet these people. Wonder what life feels like! Because from the second I wake up, to the second I fall asleep, I ruminate on everything.

So in an effort to just be in the moment, just enjoy, just bask in joy, I've been taking notes from Reece and attempting being mindful of the things that calm that internal dialogue. Or at least, turn that dialogue into focused appreciation.

So here are some of those simple joys that I'm learning to appreciate more! 1) A Walk Outside. What a combo: connecting with nature and moving your body. Doesn't matter to me if it's a hike or just a walk around the neighborhood, when I'm done, I feel happier. And so does Reece. You'd think sitting in a chair for an hour or two would make him restless. Especially because he's at the point where walking is THE thing he wants to do. But nopppppeeeee. He loves to watch people, cars, trees, dogs, lights, whatever. Even as an infant he LOVED walks. The trees made him holler.

Also if I can walk with a friend/family member, it's even better! There are only two options: talk and walk and learn about each other, OR learn to be present & bask in each others company without conversation. Both serve a purpose. Both provide deeper connection. Although, it's obvious which one I prefer.

2) Being Barefoot in Nature. Oooo lala....Toes in the grass/sand/water on a warm day. Grounding. Earthing. Whatever you want to call it. But who cares what it's called, it feels so good! There are plenty of website that will explain the benefits and why. Just Google it. For me, something about the texture and connection to the Earth that feels so good. And watching Reece's curiosity, whether that be playing with blades of grass, hand fulls of sand, or splashing his feet in the water, is pure bliss.

3) Connection with Animals. Do I even need to explain? They are the closest thing to true unconditional love. Oh my heart. They live in the moment and they most likely don't have an inner monologue telling them to schedule an oil change or not forget to stop for gas on the way home. They just live.

4) Nostalgia. Whatever that is for you. For me that's old school, childhood game shows. Literally makes me laugh thinking about watching Legends of the Hidden Temple, Double Dare, or American Gladiator. I swore to myself I'd be on one of these shows. Damn. A dream unfulfilled. Who cares. It still makes me happy JUST thinking about these shows.

Oooooo or mom's challah french toast. Yum. It hits all my senses without being physically in front of me. So fluffy and sweet. Covered in a shit-ton of powdered sugar. Mom hated how much I'd use. The memory is so vivid. And now that I'm thinking about it, I definitely want to make it. Pure childhood excitement right here:

5) Now as an adult, I think most of us can relate to this one: A Cup of Coffee. Or in my case, a cup of decaf. Sometimes a regular when I want to be crazy. As someone who is always cold, a warm cup of anything makes me extra happy. And there is something special about the smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Maybe it's partly nostalgia. Mornings = the smell of coffee. Lately I've been traveling around town to local coffee shops and having a cup of decaf with Reece while he enjoys a piece of toast. We watch people come in and out, Reece waves and smiles and charms everyone. I can see it instantly elevate people's mood. THAT is a gift and it fills my tank... and then some. It has been such a great way to start the day with positive energy. So coffee and the experience of coffee = happiness if you ask me. And this cup of coffee below DEFINITELY spread a ton of joy to our family.

This was the way we surprised our parents/siblings that we were adopting. Each family member got a mug with their role on it. We had some epic story on why they were getting a package and needed to open it on a video call with us. No one questioned the request. Which was perfect because everyone's reaction was off the charts amazing.

Can you feel the excitement? I still can. So the smell, taste, feel of coffee = my happy place with memories like this attached. 6) A long phone call. Preferably a video call. A good conversation can change any mood. And with family living in other states, calls are essential to staying connected. Reece loveeeessss a video call. Although this picture below nearly serves the opposite message based on his facial expression.

So just take my word, inside he's happy. He loves trying to figure out why he can see someone but not touch them. He's hung up on a few people for this reason. This simple joy is the gift of connection! During COVID we would FaceTime my Dad every week to make challah together. My heart swells thinking about that. And best yet we used FaceTime to learn to make our Great Grandmother's famous pumpkin roll recipe with our Nonna!

7) A laugh with a stranger. This is the reason going to a coffee shop with Reece rocks. He bring out the light in others. And others bring out the light in us. That kind of exchange is intangible to explain how to do, but palpable when it happens. Sometimes I get in my own head and don't want to interact with others. But I should. Because those times I don't want to interact are the times I need that kind of energy most. This picture says it all.

Reece was enamored. And the musician kept coming back to exchange with him. So damn sweet. And a whole lot of fun to witness.

8) A Sunday drive. It doesn't even need to be Sunday. Heck this picture was taken on a Tuesday. And as I tried to think about why a Sunday drive is a simple joy, I realized, one, it's probably because Reece loves the car (it might be a different story with a kid who doesn't enjoy cruising) and two, it's just like a walk. Here we are stuck in the car together. Two options: talk or bask in each others presence. Both great. And Reece thinks the car is hilarious. So add in baby giggles and laughs and well... you cant help but enjoy the ride. No matter where we are going. Even in traffic!

9) A hug. Confession... I have not always been a huggy person. But as my circle gets filled with more and more meaningful and awesome relationships, I can't help but want to hug them all. It is the literal opposite of brushing something off bad juju from your shoulders. The person I'm hugging is most likely someone I admire, respect, and enjoy space with. So I want to get that kind of person's goodness running through my veins.

Pretty sure this is the only hug Megan and I have ever had, despite knowing each other for 12 years. It was a perfectly timed and it meant everything to me. This was at my mother's funeral. This hug brought me from being really really sad to laughter. For a moment it changed everything.

Now I'm more open to hugs. Especially from Reece. He rarely wants to hug me. Probably because I am ALWAYS around. He definitely wants to hug his Daddy a lot. But who cares. I love both watching him hug others, and being the recipient of a hug. A simple joy for sure!

Last but not least.....10) The power of bubbles. No explanation needed. We've said everything along the way to number ten. His face. His wonder. His curiosity. His smile. It's all there. And if I've learned anything about simple joys, it's that I want to try to soak in these times because the simple joys make us present. And presence is the ultimate way to feel deep love and appreciation for this one life we are given.

So get yourself some bubbles. Kid or no kid. And enjoy some moments of bliss, appreciation, love.... and fun.