It’s Monday Listicles time again over at The Good Life, and today’s topic is something I have been thinking about a lot lately: 10 Tiny Things That Bring You Joy, as suggested by Wendy from Stamping Rules.
I think about happiness often. And lately I have noticed that my happiest moments are not the big ones – the promotions, the vacation, the new TV – but the smaller, simpler moments. These are moments that I sometimes have to watch to catch. Because some of them are such everyday experiences, if I am not paying attention, they can pass me by entirely.
Here are some of the quiet moments that I savour:
1. Hot coffee in the morning (and lately, in the afternoon, too.)
2. A piece of chocolate in the afternoon (maybe with coffee or tea.) Or maybe a cookie or a muffin – just a little somethin’ somethin’.
3. Capturing the perfect photo – Catching that expression, that moment for all time makes me so happy.
4. Singing in the car or in the kitchen – I feel like singing is the outward expression of joy for me.
5. Seeing my children joyful – I feel such a sense of pride and affection and contentment when I see them happy.
6. Home days – Snow days, no-school day or weekend days when there is nowhere to go, to schedule to keep. Extra jammie time and no pressure. I love those days.
7. Movie nights – A Saturday night feature most weekends at our house. We have come to love these evenings of snacks and cozy blankets and family flicks.
8. Playing games – “Will you play with me?” Whether it’s cards or Wii or air hockey, I love those moments when it’s “Game on.”
9. Walks – I love the fresh air and perspective that comes with a walk in the world, either as a family or on my own.
10. End of the day cuddles – Those pajama-clad snuggles with bedtime snacks that end our days and help us look forward to the one yet to come.
I like to look at these things as if they are little drops into a bucket.
Moments of happy accumulating in my bucket of happy – drip by happy drop.
These little drops of happy bring big happy to my life.
What little things bring big joy to your life’s bucket of happy?
Linking up with Monday Listicles today
Love your list.
We had an unexpected snowstorm this weekend, and I found myself just feeling pure joy at how magical it was. You are so right. It is the little moments. 
thedoseofreality recently posted..10 Examples Of Why Facebook Makes Us Happy (And You Should Totally Hang Out With Us There)
I love moments like that, when you feel the magic in them.
Those cuddles are the best! My kindergartener used the bucket metaphor tonight at dinner…about being nice to someone to fill up their bucket. When I was little, it was “warm fuzzies.” The details change, but the message stays the same.
Marie recently posted..Ten tiny things that bring me joy
The message does stay the same – some things never change. Kindness and happiness are always in style.
what a sweet post. I agree!!! my first cup of coffee is so wonderful! And I forgot about walks! I love them! Lately it is too cold but in the nicer weather we end our day with a walk and I love it!! And I must tell you I might steal this “bucket of happy – drip by happy drop.” perfect line!
Kerry B recently posted..Ten Things That Bring Me Joy….You?
I love ending the day with a walk, too. It has been cold and snowy here lately, so I am missing our walks – looking forward to that in spring.
I had one of those pyjama cuddle moments tonight. The best part was, my son fell asleep in my arms almost immediately, which is rare these days!
Lisa C recently posted..10 Little Things That Bring Me Joy
I love those cuddle-to-sleep nights – they don’t happen often for me anymore.
Why is singing in the car so much more awesome than any other time? I swear, in the car, I sound fabulous!!
Robin Jingjit recently posted..10 little things that bring me joy
I love singing in the car – turning up the volume, rolling down the highway – there is nothing like it.
It is the little things in life that I enjoy too these days.
Diane recently posted..10 “Tiny” Things of Joy…#Monday Listicles
They really are the best, aren’t they?
The perfect picture capture is a really nice little moment.
Wayne recently posted..Monday Quiz
I do love that moment.
It really is those small joys that stick with you. Especially, #1 and #6 for me. I always feel so rushed that when I can actually slow down for a bit I love it.
Melissa @ Completely Eclipsed recently posted..28 Weeks
I love those slow-down moments and days so much. It is nice to have them every so often.
you have such a great list of “joys”. Thank you for sharing. Followed you from SITS.
Vicki M. Taylor recently posted..Random Act of Kindness – Here is a blog I’d like to share with you
Thank you, Vicki!
Today it is game on at our house so I love #8! We also love movies. There is so much awesome in this list. Erin
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms recently posted..Evil Joy Lurks Below the Surface of The Sisterhood
Thank you, Erin. Game on and movie days are the greatest! Hope you enjoyed your day today!
Listening to Lil Duck singing in the backseat while driving down the road.
Ducky recently posted..Happy Happy Happy
I love hearing singing from the backseat, too!
I miss my morning walk since its been cold out, but we have been getting a few in here and there!
Tess @ Six Feet Under blog recently posted..Five Online Marketing Mistakes Businesses Make-Money Making Monday
I am missing my walks, too. It has been cold and snowy here lately – looking forward to warmer days ahead.
Visiting from Listicles. What a great reminder to keep both our eyes AND hearts open to happiness
It is important to look for the moments – sometimes they can be easy to miss.
I love walks, runs or bike rides. Anything moving in the fresh air. I find myself dancing in the car or the kitchen. Singing not so much.:)
Jamie@SouthMainMuse recently posted..10 Bitty Secret Pleasures.
Getting out in the fresh air is so great. Sometimes my singing in the car or the kitchen is accompanied by my innovative dance moves.
I love this list. Everything on it makes me happy. Even though the kids are sick (or maybe because), I’m happy to be having a school holiday jammie day.
greta recently posted..Project 365 (Week 7)
School holiday jammie days are great – especially when they are under the weather. Hope they feel better soon!
From #4 on I am sold. I love, love to sing in my car. You’d think my daughter and I were in a music video, complete with extra big sunglasses and a few simple dance moves. I need a “happy list” while I’m at work. Thank you!!! Visiting from SITS.
Andrea recently posted..What Will Your Children Inherit?
How great that you and your daughter get so into singing in the car! I love it, too – sometimes I get looks from other motorists, but it hasn’t stopped me yet.
Your list just made me happy. Mission accomplished.
BonnyBard recently posted..Monday Listicles – The little treasures edition
Yay – I am so glad!
Love your list! There’s just something about spending time with kids in pajamas that makes the moment feel special. Whether it’s a sick day, a Saturday or just plain old bedtime, kids are all snuggly and fun when PJs are involved!
Leslie recently posted..{Monday Listicles} Ten Tiny Things
That is so true! I know I feel more comfy in PJs, too.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
I love this list! And I just had the best realization. My one-and-a-half-year-old LOVES it when I sing loudly in the car. As in, she won’t cry or fuss as long as I’m belting it out the whole drive. Singing in the car is one of life’s greatest pleasures so I’m savouring this. I know she’ll find my singing embarrassing soon enough!
Suzanne recently posted..It Can Happen Here
My little guys used to like it when I would sing in the car – but now… sometimes they are not such fans of my singing. But not because I embarrass them – because I drown out the rest of the music.
Stopping in from SITS! Yes to the singing in the car! The shower too!
Britton recently posted..Motivational Monday: When Weight Loss Stalls
Singing is the best, isn’t it?
I love singing in the car too especially when JDaniel joins in.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Science for Kids- Experiments with Green
I love that, too! Singing in the car can only be improved by voices from the back seat.
Oh I have become a huge lover of a nice hot cup of coffee lately too! And I agree with you on the walks. There’s nothing like the fresh air and bright sun to give you a little bit of a new perspective on things.
Kimberly recently posted..You Are My Hope
I am looking forward to some warmer weather so that I can get out for more walks – I am missing them lately!
These are perfect. Life is made out of little tiny happiness. Specially if you are in pjs.
Stasha recently posted..Monday Listicles
Happiness = PJs – I actually would like that put on a pair of jammies. It is so true.
I say YES to all of them! Wonderful list of little things. Except for us, home days are everyday because I homeschool. But I suppose we can call those “no work” days home days too, right?
Janice recently posted..It’s the Little Things
“No work” days definitely have a different feel – even if you are home every day. Being at home with no pressure is always good, right?
Kim, loved your guest post over at The Mommy Mess with Adrienne. Loved this too! So glad I am following you. Have a great weekend!!!
Jennifer recently posted..Kiwi Crate, My Newest Obsession…
Thank you so much for the kind words, Jennifer! I am glad you are here.