“Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much more life she had time for.”
Tonight was a good friend’s birthday so we had a small group over to celebrate. Nothing elaborate, just bbq, swimming in the pool, a lot of laughter, playing fun games, and of course dancing…in our family it isn’t a celebration without dance music and everyone busting out their best moves. Sitting back watching everyone laughing and enjoying themselves I couldn’t help but think how much joy there is in the simple things of life. There wasn’t anything elaborate about our evening…we ate off paper plates with plastic silverware, ate chips from a bag, and drank pop from the can. There weren’t any fancy decorations. We hadn’t put a lot of time into planning the night, it was a very last minute decision to do it. The result was a simple night filled with friendship and fun that I wouldn’t have traded for anything. After our friends went home late we sat as a family in our living room around the piano while my daughter played piano and we all sang songs. We haven’t done that for a very, very long time and once again I was reminded that simple things can bring tremendous joy. Happiness is singing songs around the piano with your family :).
Sometimes we (definitely pointing the finger at myself as much as anyone on this) get so caught up in the fancy planning and the elaborate decorations and the fanfare of it all that we forget that it isn’t those things that make it a great event or a fabulous evening. It doesn’t require a big event or a fancy night out or spending a bunch of money or going through crazy planning in advance. It just requires good friends, good food (even if you serve it on a paper plate), and good music and vwalla…you have yourself a great night filled with great memories. That is all you really need.
“Enjoy the little things in life for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.”
When I look back at my life to see the times that stand out to me most I can see that it is moments like tonight where we enjoyed a simple night of fun with friends and loved ones. That is joy.
Make it a goal this week to simplify and allow yourself to find joy in the simple things….that is what I plan to do 🙂
Have a great day everyone!
~Amy
