Little Victories
Maybe in life we keep looking for- or hoping for big victories…..a book published -an original song played on the radio -the basement clean and clear - the prized pie at the county fair-lol. But I began to wonder if little victories don’t add up more appreciably to help create a greater, sustainable, joyful life. I started to wonder what some of those small momentary joys are and if we are indeed aware of them.
This winter we set off on the most challenging jigsaw puzzle quest of our lives. Each piece that fit neatly into the puzzle provided such a sense of gratification. The feeling of finding that one tricky piece– the small bit of happiness of slipping it into its proper place was measurable. Along with countless other simple pleasures…… finding the challenging word on a crossword puzzle, circling the last word in a word search -throwing that bean bag right through the hole during a Corn Hole match-the smell of homemade chocolate chip cookies- remembering where you put your keys - finding a lost button -a sand-dollar on the beach- your missing flip-flop. All of those seemingly inconsequential joys add up to create a sustainably happy life when we’re aware of them, when we let them sink in.
I am imaging that life doesn’t have to be the double black diamond ski trail but perhaps just a peaceful walk in the woods while the snow is falling-or even a cup of hot chocolate and a chair by the window to watch it fall.
Do you remember the movie “Monster’s Inc” when the energy from screams was collected in order to power the city- later the monsters discover that children's laughter produces ten times more energy than their screams, leading to a new, sustainable energy source and the restructuring of their society. Well, I wondered what about collecting all of those tiny, minuscule joys and letting them create the basis or foundation of our joy- the personal revelation of a happy life. It doesn’t have to be the trip to Bali, a book on the best seller list, or the shiny new Escalade in the driveway. It could be the startling revelation of all of the small joys that we are surrounded by that are saved into our long-term happiness accounts.
What makes a happy life? I don’t believe that it is millions in the bank or fame which may at times throw life off balance. How many famous or wealthy folks have we watched on TV who have lost so much as the spotlight seemed to dismantle their own fiber? And surely there are other folks who struggle through life’s school of hard knocks.
If happiness were doled out and appreciated in smaller doses perhaps everyone would stand a better chance. Starlit nights, ocean waves, hot tea with honey, a dog to love, birds in flight, a good book, your favorite song, chocolate and a cozy blanket- how many small doses of happiness might power our city?