Wednesday 7 June 2017

Simple Pleasures

For a very long time, I was on a quest for happiness and joy. I would read books, watch PBS programmes, find out what made people genuinely happy... In the end, I figured out that joy is a high, the same way sadness is a low, but it is the in between in which we spend most of our time. That in between can be described as contentment. There are many, many times that I am truly contented, like a fat upside down cat in a sunbeam. So many things make me contended, but usually it is just the simple things.

Tonight, I was out on my back porch, feeling the nice warm temperature of the day, looking around at the gorgeous thick green of everything, turning sausages on the barbecue and the delicious smell of that, a decent work day done, birds singing, things just "good". Not ecstatically joyous, but just good, contented. I think if we can strive for contentment on a regular basis, we can live a pretty good life.

Here are some more things that made me smile:


This is my first oriental poppy of the season. I saw it from down the road as I was driving toward my house, it was so eye catching.  Gorgeous.


I don't have many lupins, but I do love them. They are in their prime right now. Want a closer look?


Look at those colours! Isn't nature amazing?

Have a lovely, contented mid-week, all.

18 comments:

  1. My lupins are almost ready. Oriental poppies were my dad's favorite. From his bed we saved one plant. It's at the old house.

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  2. I can SO understand and relate to this post. For me, it's all about those simple pleasures and feeling contentment.

    And yes, nature is as amazing as amazing can get.

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  3. gosh, gorgeous indeed! Lupines are so squatty here; very abundant, in the wild, but very short. Yours look tall. Nice job!

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  4. I love this post. It's exactly what I feel about 'happiness'. I am very content with my life (most of the time!) and my garden and beautiful surroundings give me so much plesure.

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  5. Flowers are such a balm to our souls. Beautiful lupines - they don't seem to want to live in my gardens which makes me temporarily sad but then like your garden were they thrive I walk around & admire. Your poppy is such a cheerful greeter. I too was looking for that formula of what all the blogs/books/trends were talking about for happiness, finding your bliss. Chasing it, I think makes it move further away. Now we are told to be in the moment & I've read that pursing happiness actually makes us unhappy - well that's the take for now. ... Mary-Lou =^..^=

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  6. Jenn, You are right about just being content. Most people do not realize , our real happiness comes from within. Blessings to you, love the flowers. :) xoxo, Susie

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  7. I completely agree...It's the blessings and beauty of everyday life and family and friends that make us content. So it's worth paying attention to every moment to find this happiness.

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  8. Jenn these photos are breathtaking! It's all about contentment. Have a great weekend!

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  9. Beautiful flowers. I'm happiest in the the contented zone, being super happy is draining.

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  10. Beautiful flowers! And the older I get, the more I appreciate the little things, the uneventful days, the ability to still be content.. happy in just the ordinary day, seeing the beauty in even the little things.

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  11. What a perfect thought and beautiful said. Peace and contentment....ahhhh...a comfy spot on the couch with tea, a quiet lunch with your best friend, a thorough scratching behind the ears of a purring cat. Lovely.

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  12. I think that contented is a marvelous state to be in. Those lupins are so beautiful - I always forget about them when thinking of my garden. Thank you for the lovely reminder that life, in and of itself, is very good.

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  13. Perfect state of mind! Looking outside of the junk stuff broke a lifetime of depression for me. Finding beauty in simple things, foods, earth, sky, fire, that's the key to happiness isn't it?

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  14. Contentment is good...and your flowers are gorgeous! :)

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  15. Funny you should write this. About a week ago, I was riding somewhere with Rick and I said, "Are you contented?" He was. I said, I am, too. In fact, "contentment" is one of my favorite words and one of my favorite states of grace.

    I'm glad you have found it too.

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  16. Yes, contentment. That is what I need to find after losing the love of my life and now having to move off the farm. When it is all done and I am settled again I hope that is what I shall find.

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  17. Yes, I think a lot of us are realizing that to be contented in our lives is valuable. I've also noticed that many bloggers who I read are posting about the "little things" - noticing them, appreciating them, being happy about them. I think it is this month, as well as our age(s). If Canada could stay in June for about five months out of the year, we'd all be more contented!! -Jenn

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    1. Oh yes I vote for more June weather although the weekend "they" are calling for 40+ humidity - no, neither me nor the flowers can take that! Two of the most beautiful words - summer day ...

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