Simple Pleasures Go a Long Way by Judy Dudich

Simplicity is one of the greatest gifts God give us. To find pleasure in simple things can bring us joy, enrichment, hope, fulfillment, and peace!

Sometimes, we can get to "bustling about" in such a way that many of the small blessings and gifts the Lord is trying to send us each day can whisk right by, unnoticed by us, as we multi-task, manage, do and un-do, plan, go, come, arrange, listen, tell, help, offer, give, and more.

Getting TOO caught up in the busy-ness of modern life can impede our journey and stifle our contentment.In fact, it can leave us feeling quite restless, confused, depressed, and overwhelmed.

It is so important to SLOW DOWN ("Be still and know that I am GOD") …

The truth is, that if we look closely, we can find JOY IN SIMPLICITY all around us each and every day...in our marriages, in our faith, in our homes, in our schools...it is THERE...waiting, like an unopened package with a beautiful ribbon and a tag that reads:

TO: YOU

LOVE: GOD

The simple pleasures enjoyed can vary from person to person. The point is, try not to lose sight of them, what ever they are.

"Keeping our eyes on JESUS" requires our senses to be "alert", our minds to be "AT REST", and our hearts to be "OPEN" so that we can be blessed and receive all of the needed graces to carry out our duties in our vocations with a grateful and joyful heart.

Some of the SIMPLE PLEASURES I most enjoy are:

1) The Morning Sun

2) Cool, Soothing, Lotion

3) A Baby's Smile

4) Reading

5) Holding Hands With My Husband

6) Nice Colors

7) A Moment of Quiet

8) Budding Trees in Spring

9) The Way My Head Feels Upon My Pillow

10) A Snack of Fruit in the Middle of the Day

11) The Sound of My Children Pretending

12) A Phone Call from My Daughter

13) A Letter from My Friend

14) Nice Stationery

15) Pretty Nail Polish

16) Scented Candles and Their Glow

17) Tiny Strands of Lights above My Cupboards

18) A Good Movie

19) A Hot Cup of Coffee

20) Snuggling With My Kids

Remember to take a moment a few times a day, no matter what's going on in that day, to PAUSE...and seek out the SIMPLICITY that God is offering you to draw you closer to HIM!

What are the simple pleasures that you most enjoy?