Remembering the Simple Pleasures

My state of mind has changed in the last few months. For some reason last year, everything seem rushed. I always felt like I was under some sort of pressure, like fighting against life. I have a hard time putting it into words. I was so busy trying to become someone or something that I lost myself. I stopped being grateful.

I now have peace of mind. I can't really tell you how it happened. There was no defining moment when I light bulb went off and I said, "Ah-HA! This is what I have needed." I'm finally happy with just being myself and I no longer have the need to prove anything to anyone. Because I wasn't happy myself, it was hard to be kind to others. I find myself smiling, complimenting and chatting with strangers now. Just last night, I wrote a letter to the owner of the gym I use raving about an employee that is a hard worker. I doubt I would have done that a year ago, I would have been too busy thinking about myself.

Last year, I forgot about the small things that made me happy. When we first moved to the farm, I used to take the goats of a walk or spend time handing out treats every evening. Last week, I started this evening ritual once again and I forgot how good it made me feel.



Don has started coming out with me every evening too. Not only do the goats enjoy this bonding time but Monty, Missy and the kitties love it too.


It's almost if they put on a show for us. The goats jump around doing Vanilla Ice moves, the kitties run through the pasture like a bat out of hell, Monty rolls around in the grass with a big grin.


Away from the TV, computer, telephone and radio I am able to just enjoy nature and the animals. I now realize how lucky I truly am.




Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melody Beattie