Some years ago, I was going through a very long, ugly, dark tunnel in life. One night, in particular, so tenebrous that simply ending it all felt like an easier option than to on. That night, a friend called me and reminded me that by focussing on the bleak and the bad, I was ignoring all that was wonderful and made life worth living.
How right she was. When I sat down to list all the things make life special, realisation dawned that many of those were really very small and were things that I was apt to take for granted...
Here is my list in no particular order, gentle reader, feel free to chime in with yours, please.
Being with friends
Being with friends
Books
Being in the mountains
Farmer's omelette (mushrooms, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, green chillis, et al.)
A dog who wants you to throw a ball he can chase
A beautiful baby you met by sheer accident
Windvanes or weathercocks
Chancing unexpectedly on a favourite song playing on an old radio perched on a shelf in Lower Bazaar
Candy-coloured temples
Solitude
One yellow flower
A singer whose voice drips into your soul
Posts
11 comments:
Totally Thumbs Up!books,dogs,flowers,friends.
I would only add some water maybe-sitting by the side of a river,lake or sea!
Varsha! So right!! Have amended the post accordingly :)
Lovely post, GT, and a good reminder.
* Being with friends
* laughter
* Making music
* Good books
* A good meal
* Chocolate
* Being in the mountains
* Dogs
* Good health
I'm lucky to live on the West Coast of Australia and can see the sun sink into the Indian Ocean at the end of every day.
I would add to your list 'Golden sunsets and red wine'.
Did you find anything today that resembles the descriptions in the book - apart from the place names, that is. Now you need to follow Kipling's trail from Chini to Shimla (Kim).
Beautiful. Thanx for reminding us of the hidden treasures in life which we forget so easily.
Gaurav
Simple pleasures...Oscar Wilde would have nodded in agreement - beautifully written.
Oh, sigh, I'm going to have to do a post of my favorite simple pleasures. I long for days of simplicity where days are loosened and my worries are none. I love those days where relaxation sets in and God is so present through the small things. I love your pictures. :)
Thank you, each one of you, for appreciating the spirit of this post.
BP
Peekay
Gaurav
Sun/Gius (hope to see you in these parts, dear people)
Lauren.
You DID say 'simple pleasures of life' - didn't you? At my age and stage of life - I can add:
Watching over your sleeping grandson;
Watching the train going by on the hillside, with your grand-daughter in your lap; sitting on the terrace after sundown, with a 'scotch on the rocks' in your hand, with Mallika Pukhraj singing 'Abhi to main jawan hoon' in the background....
Brilliant post, I can so understand it as well as the need for it. And agree fully with the choices. I remember making such a list years ago and sharing it at http://deepseamusings.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html
And yet, as I sit back today, I can think of many more little gems of happiness. Thks for the reminder.
Oh and the pictures are beautiful, as always.
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