Simplicity
I forget. I forget birthdays. I forget what stories I’ve told to which friends. I forget a lot. One important thing I recently forgot was the small things that make me super excited to be alive. Due to a new interest in nonfiction literature I have started reading stories of men and women who have gone through unpalatable hardships in their lives. I have gone from reading all about Michelle Knight’s eleven years in captivity to the reality of a what a child endures while living in North Korea. With each book I unforget some of the little things that make me happy to be on this Earth. There are so many simple things to get so excited about! In February 2016 I started a list of the coolest simple things to remember when I am feeling down, and ever since I’ve continued to add to that list. Here’s a little sample of the simple things that really have made a difference.
1. Eye-contact
Okay, I will admit that this one does sound a little weird. Maybe it is. All I know is that making eye contact with people is so awesome. I love a good conversation with unbreakable eye-contact.
2. Books
Since this whole list was made because of my experiences with books how could I NOT include it to the list? I believe that books are so incredibly underrated. My favorite thing about books is they also allow people to view things in a different light. For example, I recently read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. This book tries to prove to the reader that God does not exist. I struggled to believe if reading this book would be beneficial or not. Religion to me is very complicated, but regardless I do believe in God. Although some parts of this book did make me feel uncomfortable, I believe it was important for me to view all sides of the argument. Books allow our minds to graze upon new ideas and situations. I don’t want to imagine a world without books.
3. The first amendment
Speaking of religion! I know this isn’t necessarily a “small” thing to enjoy, but it is often taken for granted. Think of a life in which you are unable to practice your own beliefs or stand up for what you think is right. When I let my mind wander on this subject I realize how lucky I am to have these rights. I challenge you to explore those thoughts too.
4. Being able to breathe through your nostrils
Don’t act like you have never been sick in the middle of winter and thought, Wow I forgot how nice it is when I’m able to breathe through my nose. Stuffy noses are the worst.
5. The ability to make plans in the spur of the moment
If you know me well you know that I am impulsive. I am that friend that says at 10 o’clock at night, “Hey lets go see a movie!” I like when things go with the flow, so to speak. I have lost interest in schedules and exact plans with friends. I live off of impulsive decisions. If I was unable to make those decisions I don’t feel as though I would be the me I am today!
6. Dancing
Need I say more?
7. The feeling when you first become obsessed with a new song
Music is awesome. Finding new music is even awesomer. Finding a new song to jam to all summer long on repeat every single time you put on makeup is the awesomest.
(This summer’s latest obsession on repeat for me is Goodbye Angels by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
8. Finding the perfect source to use in a paper
The inner nerd in me gets so incredibly pumped when I find that perfect database source!
“You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you” — Andy Warhol