“Happiness is in the quiet, ordinary things. A table, a chair, a book with a paper-knife stuck between the pages. And the petal falling from the rose, and the light flickering as we sit silent.”
Virginia Woolf
I am sitting here a bit weary, a bit tired and and thinking about this quote. Happiness is so much in the ordinary things of my life, sitting quietly and reading book, working in the garden; baking and cooking in the kitchen, chatting to my friends; savouring a really good cup of coffee or a glass of wine; companionable silence with Barry; laughing together over silly things. So many precious daily moments are the basis of happiness for me.
I often wonder about the overall pursuit of happiness - I'm not sure it's realistic that we are always happy or that things are only worth it if you're happy. I like to think about contentment more - do I feel content with life and what I'm doing? I don't have to feel happy about all the time, but I like to check that I am content and not full of discontent about something.
I think I could have been happy alongside Virginia - sitting silently, a candle flickering as the rose petal drops. I could be happy there for sure.
A verdant green vegetable garden also makes me happy - and it's green this week to join in with Jennifer and Julie's search for Roy G. Biv - the rainbow.
Virginia Woolf
I am sitting here a bit weary, a bit tired and and thinking about this quote. Happiness is so much in the ordinary things of my life, sitting quietly and reading book, working in the garden; baking and cooking in the kitchen, chatting to my friends; savouring a really good cup of coffee or a glass of wine; companionable silence with Barry; laughing together over silly things. So many precious daily moments are the basis of happiness for me.
I often wonder about the overall pursuit of happiness - I'm not sure it's realistic that we are always happy or that things are only worth it if you're happy. I like to think about contentment more - do I feel content with life and what I'm doing? I don't have to feel happy about all the time, but I like to check that I am content and not full of discontent about something.
I think I could have been happy alongside Virginia - sitting silently, a candle flickering as the rose petal drops. I could be happy there for sure.
A verdant green vegetable garden also makes me happy - and it's green this week to join in with Jennifer and Julie's search for Roy G. Biv - the rainbow.
Reading your post makes me feel content...and even happy. Thanks!-Julie
ReplyDeleteI like being happy and content julie - glad you are too!
DeleteThe small things and having time to sit and contemplate them..... on a beautiful autumn day, like today.
ReplyDeleteWe're having beautiful Autumn days as well Robyn - bliss! The little things make me happy and content with my life.
DeleteYou are absolutely right - it's the small things - the beautiful greens of a vegetable garden always make me feel happy and content...
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting isn't it Sharmon how the abundance in a vegetable garden lifts your spirits, calms you and makes you feel as if all is well with the world? Very happy and content over here!
DeleteYou are very right. Things are not only worth the candle if we're happy - though I'm sure it helps if we are more than half the time. For me like you, the small things are what bring contentment and the ability to make choices and to spend at least a small part of everyday doing what gives me fulfilment and affirms self-worth.
ReplyDeleteI love feeling happy and content and much prefer it to the other options; I just don't think it should be our quest for life to always be happy or else we fail. It's true we can't have all day every day given over to our happiness and contentment; but I like your thought that if you get to have a small part of every day doing what you love...
Deletei was asked twice today for clarification about how i was--happy i said with a smile, just happy!
ReplyDeleteHappy is good Velma! I'm often happy as well - I just worry when folk don't think life should be anything other than happy - we need the shadows to appreciate the fullness of the light I think...
DeleteI so agree with this post ... contentment is huge in my life as the little quiet things bring rich contentment ... a peace of sorts. Lovely green garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - little quiet things bring such joy.
DeleteWhat a good quote, and your reflections on contentment resonate. I think one of key moments of my thought life was when I suddenly learned to appreciate the small, ordinary things as being the important ones for my sense of well-being. And laughing with ones partner over some silly things is certainly wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this good post, sus
Thanks Susan, there is so much to be said for stopping and spending time with the small and the ordinary isn't there? Acknowledging the value and the beauty of such moments. Oh and laughing!!!
DeleteNice post, you pushed my day off in a good direction. (moving slow today)
ReplyDelete