"Think simple. Reduce the whole of its parts into the simplest terms, getting back to first principles." -Frank Lloyd Wright Prompt: What simple things in life do you enjoy?
A few years ago, I ran a blog called Golden 24. It was focused on creating and spreading happiness, and one of the things I really loved doing was highlighting simple pleasures :) So today's prompt is taking me back to those posts, and that's a great thing!
Ten Simple Pleasures
A good cup of tea!
Touching all the yarns in a yarn shop
Snuggles with my dogs
Quiet relaxed mornings with Lamar
Listening to music while driving with the windows down
A relaxing bath
Making & baking
Good conversation
Putting things in color order
Finishing a project
There you have it! Ten simple pleasures ^.^ What are some of your simple pleasures?? I'd love to know!
"You cannot step twice in the same river." -Heraclitus Prompt: Write about all the places you's go tomorrow if you could and what you want to see when you get there.
I have always loved the idea of traveling. I love seeing new things and different places. When I read this prompt, I made a quick list of locations. I'm sure I could've come up with lots more if I would've sat and did some research, but I wanted it to be spontaneous. So here's my list of places and what I'd want to see.
Jamaica - I'd want to meet Lamar's grandma and see where his family is from. Plus I'm sure the photos would be amazing ^.^
Trinidad - For the same reason as Jamaica.
Museum of Modern Art - My favorite piece by Salvador Dali, the Persistence of Memory, is housed there. I want to see it face to face paint.
China - To walk to Great Wall.
Paris - To add a love lock to the Pont des Artes bridge... even though they've taken all the locks off :(
Egypt - To see the Pyramids and put my feet in the Nile.
Somewhere in Africa - This would be the place where my African ancestors were from... I still don't know where it is, but I like to think that if I went, I'd see someone who looks vaguely like me.
There you have it. Seven places I'd go tomorrow if I could. Where would you go? What would you want to see there? Share it in the comments, I'd love to know ^.^
"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats." -Voltaire Prompt: Write about a song that is meaningful and uplifting to you. Describe the lyrics and how they make you feel good.
As soon as I read this prompt, I knew that I wanted to write about the song "One More Round" by Barlowgirl. I first heard this song in college during my senior year. This was around the time when I had my first run-in with depression and self harm. Looking back, this song was truly a Godsend. It has such a powerful message and back then I felt like I was given a second wind every time I heard it. Now I feel an emense gratefulness for God bringing me out of those days.
My favorite part of the song is the verse that says:
I am not defeated Though you cannot see it I have never won a battle on my own. I find strength in weakness I find hope believing If God is for me who can bring me down? So take me one more round I'll just keep fighting!
Those words bring me to tears every. single. time. I think about my past and current struggles with all the things that try to take me down. The things that get me into that dark headspace where I wonder if life is really worth it or I start thinking that maybe everyone will be better off without me. Or I just get tired of being knocked around and beaten up...
This song comes to mind and tells me that despite the fact that I may be broken up, God will help me go one more round. He's in my corner and when everything gets to be too much, He tags in ready to give a good bare knuckle beat down on my behalf.
If life is taking you though the ringer, take a moment and listen to this song. God is in your corner and His strength is made perfect in weakness. And let's be honest, going through depression, anxiety, self harm, eating disorders, low self-esteem, relationship issues, mood disorders, and anything else can really make you feel weak. Let this song be your battle cry. Tell your struggle that you are NOT defeated.
[Im going to start a post topic based on prompts from this be inspired journal I recently purchased. Each post will start with a quote and the writing prompt.]
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you." -Walt Whitman
Prompt: Write about everything that makes you smile.
The best thing about this prompt is the fact that I chose it last week. Then the beginning of this week was kinda cruddy. It's like God knew that I would need to sit down and make a happy list. God is awesome! It is time for me to write a new happy list. The last one I wrote was on my 24th birthday. I wonder how much has changed...
24-Year-Old Caleisha's Happy List:
Flowers
Books/Reading
Handmade things
Family
Music/Dancing
Polka dots
Road trips
The beach
Thrift stores
Chai tea
Incense
Rosemary
Lots
Tea in bright mugs
Kiva/Small animals
Friends
Sunshine/Sunshowers
Candles
Laughter
Photography
Children
Pearls
Game nights
Stargazing
And then...
29-Year-Old Caleisha's Happy List:
God's awesomeness
Lamar, mah booski
Kiva & Tootie, my dogs
A good cup of tea
Rebelling Bible stories
Making things
Reading
Music
Sunshine
Learning new skills
Photography
Friends & family
Exploring new areas
Stargazing
Candles
Bubble baths
Daydreaming
Thrift stores
Trying new foods
Baking
Handmade soaps & peppermint soap
Cuddly blankets
Christian turn-up
Craft supplies
Traveling
Writing
Polka dots & stripes
Fresh flowers
There you have it... 29 things that make my heart happy. As I assumed, there are a lot of things that crossed over from my first list. It was a teeny bit harder to come up with 29 things because I wanted each thing to be something that actually brings me joy. I might also ask Lamar to write one that way we'll have little insta-happy cheat sheets. :)
What are 3 things that make you happy? Lemme know ^.^
