Depends on your point of view.
For some it is a fancy sports car or a shiny new truck.
For others it is a big house with the interior fashionably decorated.
Some are happy with cruises or vacations to exotic places.
Still others are completely happy with counting their money as it accumulates in the bank.
Me...I have sort of a different take on happiness.
This morning happiness was watching big flakes of snow fall, turning the dirty city streets into a white wonderland.
This afternoon happiness was a phone call from granddaughter Maddie Mae, telling me about her 4.0 grade average and that she ranked 5th in academics out of her class of over 400. I asked her what she wanted to study when she goes to college in a few years, and she said something in the field of psychology. I told her then maybe she could find out what made her Grandma tick. She laughed and said, "Grandma, you are so funny."
This evening happiness was a nice mug of hot chocolate.
Happiness is when I shared a meal of stew and biscuits with my son.
Happiness is looking at my shelves full of home canned food, knowing my family will be fed should the time come when we need it.
Most of all, happiness is the realization that I am content with what I have. I woke up this morning and that is a bonus. I have a roof over my head. Many don't. I have food to eat and clean water to drink. So many don't know where their next meal is coming from. I have family who love me. That is a gift from God.
I feel sorry for those who need money or power or luxury in order to be happy. They really don't know what they are missing.
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I too share your happiness, Warm home, food in the house, my family not stressing as much. But most of all...Hot Chocolate Chip cookies, in second place tie Oatmeal Raisin cookies and a big DQ Cone, dipped of course.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you on the cookies, Rob...And DQ, of course! I wonder if they still dip cones in butterscotch...
DeleteYou've got it right, Vicki. BTW, are you stocking water in adequate amounts?
ReplyDeleteGorges...I stock as much water as is possible in a small apartment. I have a shelf that holds 6 cases (24 bottles per case) of bottled water. Behind my couch are 3 rows - 3 deep of 2 ltr. soda bottles and large juice bottles of water, with another 25 or so bottles stashed here and there. I keep 3 five gallon empty buckets that I can fill in the bath tub when electricity goes out and before I lose water pressure. And worse case, I live 1 block from a river. Not the best supply, but I have a water filter and can boil it if need be. Thanks for looking out for me, my friend.
DeleteVicki, I am in total agreement with you! I find happiness in my world...my home, my garden, and most of all my family. The rest of the world has become quite foreign and unforgiving to me...CW
DeleteCW...Sometimes I wonder what country I woke up in, for it surely isn't the same one I grew up in. I think maybe that's why I get pleasure from the simple things. The rest of the world is just too complicated.....and harsh.
DeleteContentment is priceless, Vicki. It can't be bought, sold, borrowed or bestowed. Thank you for the reminder. Fern
ReplyDeleteFern...It seems to me to be a waste of time for me to wish for the monetary things in life that will never be. A phone call from a grandkid or hearing the words 'I love you' at the end of calls or when my kids leave my apartment after a visit - not enough money in the world to buy those. :)
DeleteReminds me of a Thoreau quote I like...."That man is riches whose pleasures are the cheapest."
ReplyDeleteslugmama...Thank you for posting that quote. I had not heard it before, but agree wholeheartedly. It is often the simple pleasures that give the most joy.
DeleteOoops, I accidentally replied to your reply to Gorges reply...oh my. CW
ReplyDeleteThat's OK, CW...I found you. :)
DeleteVicki~ For me any day above ground is a good day.
ReplyDeleteRed
Red...I know what you mean! Some mornings when I wake up, I am somewhat surprised. :)
DeleteYou are certainly rich in what counts - lots of family who love you.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for the simple life I have now. It's calm and for the most part stress free. I too am grateful for my little apartment and of course MrDog.
Impressive quantity of water you've squirreled away, btw. Nicely done.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...It occurred to me some time back that my best memories are those of times spent with good friends and family. Especially the childhood memories of picnics and sledding and Sunday afternoon drives in the country with my parents. I remember little of Christmas gifts or money spent. And, with a nod to Mr. dog, I remember the pets of my past. It was time spent with those we love that is important.
DeleteI have read that we can go weeks without food but only three days without water. I do the best I can with my limited space. And another reason for canning is that much of it, vegetables especially, is canned in water that, in a pinch, can be used to quench thirst. Hope it never comes to that, but you just never know what is waiting around the corner.
Amen, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteThank you, sbrgirl.
DeleteMom, while I would like a shiny new truck and do enjoy going on vacations, my happiest moments lately are when there is time to sneak in an afternoon nap. Even better when Oreo is curled up by my feet.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you find happiness in your everyday life.
David
Oh yea, and shoes. I have a thing for new shoes and that makes me happy too!
DeleteSon...Nothing wrong with a shiny new truck and I know you love the time spent with your family on well earned vacations, but I am pleased that you also find happiness in the simple things. As busy as you are with your family and your work, I have no doubt that a nap is a wonderful thing. A dog at your feet is a bonus.
DeleteShoes? Really? To each his own, I guess. :)
Love, Mom