Wealth is a mindset. Want less and appreciate more today.
As we enter the fall season, we will inevitably be bombarded with early gift buying guides championing the latest and greatest gadgets, jewelry, cars, and more. And while I’m not against investing in new products that add value to our lives, I don’t like hearing about how people think they need a bunch of new and expensive things to be happy.
The truth is, unless we’re investing in our personal growth and noticing progress, most of the money we spend on things doesn’t make us much happier or better off in the long run. We don’t need more fancy items in our closets collecting dust to find joy and contentment. And we can find a lot of what we’re looking for simply by paying closer attention to the gifts we already have in front of us — the satisfying simple pleasures we forget to appreciate…
- A quiet morning.
- A hug from someone you love.
- Sipping a warm cup of coffee or tea.
- Reading a few pages in one of those good books on your bookshelf.
- Learning a new skill all by yourself.
- Feeling the burn after a power-walk around the block.
- A child’s laughter.
- Someone special wanting your attention.
- Being able to sit with a true friend, comfortably in silence.
- Laughing at old family photos.
- The moment just after the front door shuts and you suddenly have the whole house to yourself.
- Walking around your home and admiring it right after you finish cleaning it up.
- The smell of a home-cooked meal.
- Throwing food up in the air and catching it in your mouth.
- Listening to a song that moves you.
- When you make eye contact with someone from across the room and you both automatically smile.
- Having an interesting conversation with a complete stranger.
- Finding out that others are experiencing the same problem you are experiencing, and finally knowing that you’re not alone.
- The satisfying feeling of doing the right thing.
- Looking up at the sky on a really clear night and seeing nothing but stars.
- That first hint of a cool breeze at the end of a hot summer.
- The crackling sound of a fireplace on a chilly winter night.
- Getting up quickly to use the toilet in the morning, and then slipping back under the bed covers to the same warm and cozy spot.
- Sharing an umbrella with someone else.
- The peaceful calm just after a heavy rainstorm or snowfall.
- Walking barefoot in the grass.
- Listening to the breeze blow through the trees.
- When traffic on the streets is light and you get home faster than usual.
- Realizing that you’re in the fastest moving checkout line at the grocery store.
- When a little kid gives you a high five.
- The silence in the back of your local city library.
- When a stranger offers to take a photo of you and your friends so you can all be in the photo together.
- The joy of looking at a picture of yourself and loving it.
- When an online video plays without playing an advertisement first.
- Achieving a milestone that you’ve gradually and diligently worked for.
- Being able to tell someone some genuine good news.
- Knowing deep down that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.
- The bittersweet feeling of finishing a really good book.
- Sleeping right next to someone you truly love.
- Falling asleep as soon as you lay down.
How often do you forget to appreciate one or more of the 40 simple pleasures above?
If the answer is “too often,” that’s OK. We all forget sometimes. Let this post serve as a positive reminder…
There’s always something little to be grateful for!
And before you go…
What’s something little in your life that you’re grateful for?
Any other thoughts to share?
We would love to hear from YOU. Please leave a reply below.
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Maria says
Love these. I’ll add one:
Walking up really feeling rested
Natalie Hames says
A fresh cool breeze washing over me 🙂
Robert W. says
I am 63 years old, started using drugs at 15 been alcoholic since the same age. Got sober/clean at 43, got an Associates of Science degree at 51 and currently employed at the Madera Rescue Mission as Case Manager/Counselor. Yes I have much to be grateful for. Thank you for the material. I do put it to good use as I teach life skills (Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences being one of them) both here and in the local jail.
Jennifer Ditmarsch says
Thank you Robert. You offer a special gift to those you are serving – the gift of having walked a similar path and finding a different way to live in the world. Peace my brother.
Gwynne Johns says
I am so impressed and so moved …from Farmington, Connecticut
Sonali says
Grateful for having the power to learn beautiful things and to unlearn negatives.
Vida says
The last one in your list (40. Falling asleep as soon as you lay down.) is my biggest dream! Ppl might think of luxurious stuff to be happy, but for me it is a peaceful night for deep & nonstop sleep till the morning.
Whenever I can sleep well, I will be happy…
And thanks for these reminders.
Nirosha says
Well said Vida,
Falling asleep as soon as you lay down is biggest dream for me also,
Thanks a lot Marc and Angel for this 40 list simple pleasures.
I really needed this one today.
Angelcat says
I recently lost my beloved 16 year old kitty Angel to age. I knew I’d eventually adopt again but I was in no hurry. A few weeks later, my best friend showed me a photo of a kitten up for adoption. I immediately fell in love with her little face. Luna, age 6 months, is sitting next to me as I write this. She has already brought so much love and joy to my life. I will always miss Angel but Luna is helping me heal. SHe my daily simple pleasure.
Cindy says
Your beloved cat, Angel, is waiting for you at the top of the Stairs. I’m certain she is pleased to know you are continuing to share the abundance of love that you bestowed on her. Pets bring us joy every day of their lives…except for one.
Luke Zitterkopf says
Hard to choose a favorite from the list. For me it is #37 Knowing deep down that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.
There is something lasting about being a positive influence. It seems to carry on longer than we ever realize. Lifting other people up is one of the best things in life!
Deborah says
Such a beautiful list. Simple but it comprises very relatable moments, actions, and lovely experiences so much I keep reading it over and over again. Thanks for sharing this list Marc and Angel.
Stephanie Pick says
This list is just perfect, I love the quirky ones you’ve added in like throwing food up and catching it in your mouth. There really is beauty in the small moments. Thanks!
Kristin says
Wonderful list. I always seem to try to remember moments with my growing boys. The last time one fell asleep on me as he wasn’t feeling good. The time I dropped my hs son off at school and he told me with just simple eye contact ‘no kiss today, mom’. Or when I’m sitting in the stands watching their sports, I’ll catch them on the bench, looking up at me and we’ll exchange a thumbs up.
Maria says
This is a wonderful post that truly made me think and realize some of the little things that are really big things. I have been trying to make my life a bit simpler over the past few months and this just reinforced that.
Thank you!
David says
Beautiful thoughts. I believe I’ve experienced them all and continued to experience some. Life can be very beautiful with an appreciative frame of mind. Friendships are very important also with their sense of love and belonging. Thanks for bringing these to mind. When I get to feeling pressued, I’m learning not to allow the pressure to motivate me, and this compilation is of help in that regard. Hugs.
Bonnie Baharian says
Our Pastor this past Sunday spoke about grace and gratitude. He challenged us to give careful deliberation to someone from our distant past who gave us grace and, because of it, encouraged our lives over time. Write those thoughts down on paper and send them a note expressing your gratitude. I chose my daughter in law. We’ve never had difficult times but she has certainly shown her mother in law 26 years of wonderful grace as I twisted and turned through those years and she has expressed so much grace! I love her for thoses graces!
Ramji Yadav says
Lot of things I find in your essays that make me happy but fail to appreciate at that moment. Some lines of your essay carry deep wisdom, even if we appreciate, it falls below the value and wisdom we gained. Most of the time we fail to thank God for every good things that happens to us during the day. So, if we are aware enough to be thankful for every small and big moments of happiness or even satisfaction only, we can attract more mercy and grace of God to be more thankful. So, at least today I won’t forget to thank M&A. Thanks a lot.