Recently it hit me that some of the greatest pleasures in life are the simple ones, the ones we so often take for granted. I’m not entirely sure what brought on this thought, but it definitely arrived at a moment when I felt grateful for my good life. In any event, I realized anew that I should count my blessings – and so I resolved to think more deeply about the simple things that bring me joy.

Here’s my list (in completely random order):

• Feeling the sunshine on your face – I love the sun. Aside from its essential role to supporting life on our planet, I find my mood lift immeasurably on a day with sunshine. It’s like the whole world is smiling.
• Talking with interesting people – Few things buoy my spirits as much as having a positive interaction or laugh with a stranger. It could be in line at the coffee shop, assisting someone reach something on the top shelf at the grocery store or a random encounter on transit, but other people are endlessly fascinating. Of course, the most satisfying chats can be the ones with one’s own family. I recall with joyful nostalgia the wonderful conversations I often had with my kids over dinner when they were younger and full of curiosity about the world. Those meals were peppered with discussions about unexpectedly random subjects like for whom the Queen works to how lead markings stick to paper when you use a pencil to write. These interactions always broadened my perspective and made me see aspects of the world in ways I had never considered them myself.
• Seeing your elderly parent having a “good” day – As my mother has disappeared deeper and deeper into her dementia, her bad days have started to outweigh her good days. So it always brings me special joy when she has an especially sharp day, where I can see glimpses of the mother who nurtured me as a child.
• Going to the bathroom – Not meaning to be crass, but it is something we all take for granted until there is some sort of problem. After watching my father die of bowel cancer, I think about this differently than I used to. You could extend this thought to simply being grateful for having good health.
• Taking a hot shower (or bath) on a cold day – What is nicer than having hot water run over your skin when you feel cold? The opposite – a cool shower on a hot day – can be equally invigorating. For that matter, running water of any sort is something that makes life immeasurably easier and more convenient. Imagine going back to having to heat water for a bath or lugging water from a well. (I note there are still places in the world where “running water” means carrying it home.)
• Getting a good night’s sleep – What can help you more with having a positive outlook on life than having a good night’s sleep? As I have aged, I have discovered that some of my “bluest” days are the ones where I went to bed too late or just had a restless night. I have also learned that things will look up again with a better night of sleep under my belt.
• Watching the snow melt – Few things gladden my heart more than seeing the snow melt and watching the grass begin to turn green. I love spring, with its promise of longer days, milder temperatures, and the bursting forth of new life – except for the hatching of the biting bugs, that is!
• Seeing a rainbow – Despite our tech-focused lives, there is still something magical about seeing a rainbow appear as the sun emerges after a shower. It’s nature’s little miracle.
• Lying in a hammock with someone you love – Getting in the hammock at the cottage with my love and reading or talking together is the epitome of summer easy living. Best done in the shade of a tree and at a time when the bugs aren’t nibbling!
• Taking a walk – It’s always good to get the heart pumping while smelling the roses! Taking a “green break” and watching Mother Nature do her thing is always a nice respite from the worries of the day. Whether letting your thoughts roam freely, spending time with a walking companion (could be the four-legged variety!) or listening to your favourite music/podcast, a walk is always a great way to get a reset.
• Witnessing the fall colours – Although I’ll admit I’m not a big fan of fall, I increasingly appreciate the beauty of that season. There is something so very satisfying about hearing the crunch of the fallen leaves underfoot.
• Taking a nap – For me, a nap is the ultimate in luxury. There is nothing nicer than lying down during the afternoon and drifting off to sleep when one is tired. This treat is especially enjoyable when engaged in judiciously, like during a summer weekend or while on holiday.
• Getting a hug or a kiss from someone you love – I will never forget the first time my older son gave me a kiss when he was about 18 months old. I was lying on the floor playing with him as he stood above me. He bent over and put a big drooly slobber on my cheek. It took me a moment to figure out that this was his attempt at a kiss. Few kisses have ever thrilled me more.

At a time when the world seems to be more battered and bruised than usual, it’s helpful to try to focus on the positive every once in a while. Whether it is taking joy from enjoying nature or spending time with people who matter, there are so many things in life that can bring us pleasure if we can just open ourselves up to those experiences and count the small joys. Best of all, most of these things don’t cost a cent!

So, what did I overlook? What’s on your list?