Simple Pleasures

We tend to focus on the stuff we have as a way of measuring happiness. However, these things aren’t truly what make us happy. They may make us believe we are happy, but the things that brings us happiness do not have a price tag.

In the last few years, I have focused more on the surroundings of my life and less on the objects within my surroundings. Part of making this lifestyle a reality has been minimalising my stuff. This has freed up more time for experiences and opportunities. That act is not only one of my best decisions, but one of the most influential decisions in my short 25 years on this planet.

I want to ask you a question: What was the last thing that truly made you ‘laugh out loud’? We tend to use the acronym LOL too often to describe things we really aren’t ‘laughing out loud’ about. We don’t usually ‘laugh out loud’ about stuff or television shows or a new car. But we do ‘laugh out loud’ when we have a great time with friends at a party or meet up. These things, besides maybe a few drinks or a meal, don’t cost a thing and are what really matter in life. They will be what you think about when you are an elder. Not what size television you had when you were a college student.

Accept the simple pleasures around you. Realize these are what are worth living for. My possessions have little, if any, true value to me. My life would be fine if everything burned and I had to start over. I know my experiences are priceless and memorable no matter the circumstances of my life and stuff being lost does not take away from all that I have accomplished and done.

The simple pleasures are what you should focus on starting this moment. What would you want to be doing right now? What would make you the happiest person right now? Do that. Experience that. Be simple. If you appreciate the simple pleasures, your cluttered lifestyle will become relieved of the burden and you will be free to experience all that life has in store for you.

Dave
The Minimalist Path

Tags: simplicity

This entry was posted on Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 2:00 am and is filed under Simple. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Simple Pleasures”

October 5th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Gordie Rogers says:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for this. Do you think there is a danger of people looking too much at their past sometimes and thinking that it was so much better than the present?
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..The Lifestyle Design Anthem: “My Way”.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Colin Wright says:

I literally laughed out loud at the very idea of what I was doing with my life at about 4am this morning, when I was still wide awake, drinking green tea and working on an ebook I’m writing.

Any time I have one of those sporadic moments of self-reflection, I can’t help but laugh because it all seems to ridiculous but also makes me so ridiculously happy.

I suppose it helps that I live alone, too, because I can laugh at nothing out of nowhere and not be considered a crazy person
Colin Wright´s last blog ..You’ll Never Be Philosophically Fulfilled (and That’s Okay)
October 5th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
admin says:

@Gordie – I think a major challenge for most people is reflecting too much. I try and reflect on the good that has happened in my life. But I know a lot of people that regret constantly. The more I focus on the present and future, the brighter my day looks. Enjoy the past pleasures but live for the pleasureful moments to come.

@Colin – I hear ya about the 4am eBook writing laughter moment. I did the same. Sometimes, it is great to laugh at ourselves and our actions. Life can be ridiculous sometimes with all of the commitment we put towards moving our lives ahead. As long as you are laughing at the crazy amount of progress you are making, than the laughing is good. If you are laughing at how much time you are wasting on a project for work, you may want to reconsider the importance of your effort.

Thanks for following and commenting to the both of you! I really appreciate it

Dave
The Minimalist Path
October 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Carnival of Positive Thinking : Widows Quest - Redefine Yourself and Rediscover Life after a Loss says:

[...] Damron presents Simple Pleasures posted at The Minimalist [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Lisa says:

You are so right. True happiness comes from within, not from without. Finding true joy is easiest when we consider the things we treasure most and concentrate on them, not on the material gains of our lives.
The smile of a child, a small hand in mine, a dog walking by my side, snow in the mountains, a clear day in June. These are some of the things that make my life happy.
Lisa´s last blog ..The Race