thankful thursday - simple things

My mom used to tell us that we would be about as happy as we decided to be. This was usually in response to one of us moping about lamenting the sad fact that we didn't have something one of our friend's had. There was no point in moping about and being upset because the only thing that got us was extra chores.

In today's world, many would find that to be harsh or even cruel. Some would say that our self-esteem would surely suffer. (I'm here to tell you that is blatantly untrue in this case!) And others would claim that it was an infringement of our civil rights - surely we have the right to be unhappy. (To be fair, she didn't say we could not be unhappy, just that we would be as happy as we decided to be. The extra chores were for moping about what we didn't have - and the chore usually involved taking care of what we DID have - for example, cleaning something.) More than a few would argue that we wouldn't like our parents if they treated us that way, like we were inferior to them. (Nope, that wasn't true, either. We grew up respecting out parents and as adults, had great relationships with them.)

I am glad, grateful even, that my mom taught me that important lesson about being happy. I learned from an early age to be satisfied with what I had, to find contentment in my life. As an adult, that is still true.

In no particular order, here are three simple things that bring me joy, happiness and contentment:

1. Flowers - One of my favorite things to do in the spring is search for wildflowers. They are vibrant and delicate bringing a special beauty to the outdoors. But I don't have to be outdoors. I have a miniature rose bush in a pot on my kitchen window sill where it gets a lot of indirect light. It blooms often and brings a smile to my face daily.

2. A hand-written note - The art of writing a note with pen and paper has almost become extinct having been replaced with email and texts. While I appreciate personal emails and texts - they let me know the person sending them is thinking about me - there is something special about a hand-written note. I can feel the paper (soft, smooth, coarse, rough, ...) and the hand-writing evokes a special, almost emotional, response as I recognize the writer from the strokes of the pen. Texts and emails often get deleted but hand-written notes are carefully saved and reread time and time again. 

3. Flags on houses - I love seeing flags flying on houses. I love the patriotism they show. In this world of division, seeing flags flying on houses in neighborhoods reminds me are united in our love for our country. And who wouldn't be happy about unity?!

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6