What better time to post to my blog than when I should be studying! It's the perfect procrastination activity! I've spent most of my "free" time for the past week studying for a certification test I have to take next Friday, and I'm still not even close to ready. This weekend is supposed to be my "buckle down and LIVE it" time, but there are so many more appealing things to do that I'm finding it difficult to commit. I'm sure my level of commitment will alter come Thursday night!
Anyway, this week I've been reminded of some of the little things in my life that add to the overall sense of contentment I have been blessed with of late, so I thought I'd share.
1) Music. This one may not be so little really, but it's affect in my life can be subtle at times. I love music in all (or at least most) of it's forms. Anything that gets me humming along or tapping my toes is a welcome addition to my life. I'm the girl that sings along (and sometimes dances) to the music in the Grocery store. It makes shopping so much more fun, and to be honest, I can't help it. Even if I try...it just cannot be stifled! The music has GOT to come out! :)
I always have my iPod playing through little desktop speakers at work, but this week I did two things differently.
First, I started listening to my full library of music rather than playlists. Just set it to random and let it go. Some of the songs that pop up are slightly embarrassing, some are hilarious, but most are just pleasant little gifts. Songs I haven't heard forever, but liked enough to load onto my iPod at some point. They make me smile...and that makes my day so much better.
Second, I started listening with my headphones instead of the speakers. There were a few projects I was working on that required some focused attention, and I discovered that even with the music playing, I was more focused and got a TON done by blocking out the world around me with the music that, as previously stated, makes me smile.
There are definitely some downsides to this approach...it's not overly social, but I tend to be TOO social, so maybe a little restriction in that realm is not a bad thing. I also tend to sing along on occasion (ok...most of the time) and when no one else can hear what you're listening to, an unplanned public performance can to be a bit embarrassing. So far I think I've caught myself before anyone has heard my serenade, but it's only a matter of time before someone stops by just as I'm singing along to Fire by the Pointer Sisters (that one really gets me going).
2) A Garage. Ok, so if you have spoken to me, read my blog, or followed my Facebook statuses, you are aware of my severe disdain for the weather we've been experiencing here in Rhode Island. I'm not shy or quiet about it. It sucks. (sorry...no other way to say it).
HOWEVER, I did find something in the midst of the suckiness that made me grateful...the fact that through this entire nasty winter I have not had to clear my car of snow ONE time to go to work in the morning. I walks straight from the cozy warm safety of my house directly into my very own garage...no walking through snow and ice to GET to the car, no clearing snow and ice (or even FROST) off of the car, no warming up the car...it's WONDERFUL! I don't know how I lived the first 35 years of my life without one!!
3) Blue Skies. No matter how cold it is outside, when the sky is clear and blue it makes me happy. I think it may be a little bit of a reminder of home. I've always loved the intense blue of the Colorado sky. There are times that it is so amazing that it takes my breath away. Any small piece of that brilliance brings a happy jump to my heart. Recently the blue has had to work its magic through windows because as soon as I walk outside into the frigid wind the affect of the blue sky is negated by the impending frostbite of my nose, but at least it helps me get up the motivation to brave the cold when necessary.
There are plenty of other little things that make me smile...help me through the days that aren't so great...and make the great ones even better. I'm grateful for the little things.
