Bringing The Joy Of Vacations To Your Everyday Life

You may be about to embark or have just taken an amazing summer vacation. Wonderful! Congratulations, I hoped you enjoyed every moment.  I've just spent an amazing ten day trip in Spain. Yes, it was awesome! I have wanted to go to Spain to see Gaudi's whimsical spaghetti style architecture since taking an art class in college many years ago. I also wanted to walk in the Mediteranean sea, drink red wine from the cafe con leche, walk thru the Spanish villages and, of course, see Flamingo dancers. Yes, I got to do all that and much more!

Enjoying what is

What if every day could be as enjoyable as those days we spend on vacation. Yes, they can and mabey even better. Now back at home, I find myself rejoicing at the simple things in life. I'm much more willing to let go of those things that normally annoy me. I sit on my deck and write, reaffirming that my deck is probably my favorite place in the world. I find myself being opening to new possibilities. The trip was awesome but sustained happiness, finding and maintaining joy, comes from appreciating what is. Happiness comes from valuing joy in our simple everyday moments and activities.  

Valuing simplicity

I like enjoying the breeze, the birds chirping and the white and purple violets gracing my lawn. My introvert self is glad to have a day alone. My favorite moments have been spent just like this — writing, the old fashioned way with a pen and notebook, enjoying a cup of Earl Grey tea and admiring the shades of green. My ever-faithful dog is beside me, occasionally getting up to lick my feet, wag his tail and smile, grateful for my return home.

Joy in the everyday

What small things do you savor? What gives you pleasure no matter how small? How do you find joy? That is, after all, what brings us true happiness. Being able to find those moments every day that put a smile on our face make our lives worth living. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to forget what brings us joy and get caught up in frustration. Resist the temptation to fall back into the ordinariness, the blandness and frustration of everyday life. Look through your life with different glasses. Appreciate it. Be thankful for those little blessings that grace us each day.  

I'm reminded of a favorite poem I learned as a child and often read it to my children:

Pippa's Song

THE year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven —
All's right with the world!

Appreciating what is.

Just for today appreciate what is. Sustained happiness comes not from the highs of a trip abroad but from valuing the moment. I have an enormous sense of satisfaction as I sit here that all is right with the world. That all is just as it should be. I feel alive, grateful, full of joy and, most of all, at peace. 

To bring more joy into your everyday life, ask yourself the following questions.  

• What bring's me joy?
• What puts a smile on my face?
• What small things do I savor? 
• What gives me pleasure no matter how small?
• What makes my life worth living?
• What makes me want to get up in the morning?
• Who can I thank for being a part of my life?

True happiness comes from appreciating what is. Finding joy in the everday is an activity we can all enjoy. Finding joy in the everyday is priceless.

As a Life and Relationship Coach, Amelia values helping her coaching clients find joy and happiness in special moments as well as in their everyday lives. To contact Amelia or sign up for a complimentary coaching session, contact Amelia at Amelia@InnerOutcomes.com.