- rain. We had rain this month, which broke a long period of dry and filled the dams and creek, so the family hopped into some round molasses troughs and pushed ourselves around using sticks. Brother 2 got into one with Dad, and they ended up standing in a trough on the bottom of the creek bed, submerged up to their chests. Good times.
- green grass. In the paddock, it's thick and it's past our knees, and mowing the yard doesn't feel like such a chore when we take into account that there is grass to mow.
- also. butterflies. There are small white ones with lacy black bits, and big black ones with lacy white bits, and also some little yellow ones. And there are so many. I have had several genuinely-felt Bilbo moments:
- my job! and I'm so blessed to be able to add that to this list. For a year I worked part-time in a job that was not a field I was interested in, and while I felt personally invested in the business (for no particular reason?? except I worked there?), it was immensely draining.
But! Last year I was in admin at a library and adored it. And this year I'm a casual library assistant, and I'm enjoying it so much. Obviously part- or full-time work would be more convenient (I have an hour commute), but this does mean that I get to work with all different people in different workplaces!
and I smile at people and help them and make them love the library and feel happy. and that makes me feel happy too.
........
So there's a small post for you, because I was thinking about how good life is. <3
........
And if you're not? if your job's dragging at your soul and you're having trouble keeping your chin up? My advice (I say, like I am in any way qualified to give advice) is to:
- keep your eyes open for opportunities. all sorts of opportunities, and things you wouldn't normally do. chase the things that make you feel fulfilled.
- choose to smile. choose joy. it's hard but choose to rejoice in the blessing of just being alive. and then live.
((
........
What's something objectively tiny (like butterflies) that has made you feel joyful and blessed? Do you enjoy your work? (whether it's paid or for your family) Is your family still well? Let me know if you would like me to pray for you.
And what are some things you do that make you feel like you're living and not just alive?
Yay!! You had rain! My family has been praying that y'all would get some!
ReplyDeleteMy cat definitely makes me feel happy and blessed. He doesn't like most people, but he really pours life into me and somehow the fact that he despises other people makes his affection towards me more special.
Thank you for praying, Sarah! It means a lot. <3
Deleteooh, your cat sounds special! My sister got a beautiful little grey tabby cat and it made me remember how much I like cats... she leaves whenever she sees me, though xD (So I guess I'm "other people" to her!)
Aww this was such a happy, encouraging post!!
ReplyDeleteRain is the best!! And that's awesome that you are really loving your job! It's always so nice to have a job that doesn't make you dread going to work.
I'm feeling really blessed that all this craziness has given me a chance to stay at home and take a much needed breather. It also gives me an opportunity to spend more time with my family!
This was a lovely post!! Hope you're doing well!
Very true, Miss Woodhouse - now that this craziness means I'm staying at home, I'm starting to slow down, hopefully catch up with some people, and just be (at home with my family :) I hope you're doing well too!
DeleteThank you for the encouragement, and I'm glad things are looking up for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed in that I currently have good wifi and I normally wouldn't. So yay. xD
Good wifi is definitely something that makes me feel things are looking up, Sarah! xD I figured we could all use encouragement and a reminder that things are under control, so this was my little contribution. <3
DeleteJEM. This is WONDERFUL. I've been debating doing a Daily Happy kind of thing, where I post something good and happy to my blog every day to brighten up the cyberwebs through all of this junk, and seeing this post in my blog feed??? DUDE, IT LITERALLY BRIGHTENED MY DAY. I LOVE butterflies. Unfortunately it's snowing again here (yesterday morning we had 60 degree weather? how did this happen???) but BUTTERFLIES. Butterflies remind me of spring, and I LOVE spring.
ReplyDeleteALSO ALSO ALSO!!! RAIN!!!! Oh my goodness rain is my favorite!! Especially when it's a happy little drizzle that you can walk through without worrying about getting soaked through to your bones. . .
I think my happy thing right now is that I have 5 days off from work right now. (store hours changed, which means hours got cut all around. fun times) This may seem like a bad thing, but my income isn't ENTIRELY needed right now, so I'm going to be focusing my quarantine days on creating happy little things every day. Watercolor painting, writing my book, journaling, reading. . . I'm going to fill my soul and stay as far away from social media as I can. XD I'm excited for this. (and also maybe this will give me a chance to finally get your letter into the post. XD)
WHAT A LOVELY LONG COMMENT. *settles in*
Delete"A Daily Happy kind of thing" sounds awesome?? Do it, Kenz. DO IT. Maybe I should do it too?? (I'd have to bundle them into a weekly post, though, because... uh... you know my blogging schedule can't handle a daily responsibility xD)
The butterflies were INCREDIBLE and there was one spot where I had to go through a garden to get to work, and there were high flowering bushes either side of the path, and?? so many butterflies all around my head?? I genuinely could not have kept that smile off my face if I'd tried. Rain is lovely and I would like at least 47% more of it than we currently get.
SAME with the work. The library shut last Monday (I turned up to work and was informed?? and they had to station someone outside the doors because previously the word was that it wouldn't close until Thursday) so I have been at home for a week. And if it's not of vital importance that you get a paycheque, it's so good to spend time at home?? I mean, under the circumstances. And it's such a good opportunity to do all of the things! (which of the things am I doing? none of them. but. it's the thought that counts.)
(Actually! no! I HAVE done some of the things! I've started on happy little things to go in your letter, so HA. look at me realising my Master Procrastinator status means I need to start two months early. so adult. much responsible. very wow.)
I have a bad habit of rambling. Oops. XD
DeleteWell, I haven't done it YET, but maybe I should start! (or I could just start posting Camp NaNo prompts. Who knows. My blog is out of my hands at this point.) BUT ASDFGHJKL YES A WEEKLY POST SOUNDS WONDERFUL!! And then it would just be one giant glob of happy to brighten someone's day, and that's even better...
Ugggh... I cannot wait until we get butterflies. Right now the birds are coming back (spring is in the air!) but still no signs of butterflies. Ugh, I would LOVE more rain right about now. Right now we're getting like none so that's fun. (although in your case, I think you guys seriously NEED the rain?? Have the fires died down at all?)
ASDFGHJKL I SERIOUSLY WANT TO SEND YOU YOUR LETTER. But I'm not sure I can go to the post office unless it's labeled "necessity" so ARRGH. Okay. That's it. Today I'm chopping the letter into bits and fitting it in multiple envelopes. (although at this point it's outdated, probably--there's a very specific part I somehow remember that asks if you're still at the library, and I'm pretty sure you've since answered this question, but I DIGRESS.) Also I 10/10 just got an idea for something to send you, but alas, that's probably going to have to wait until my NEXT letter. Because again. The parchment I used is way too thick as it is. XD Spending all this time at home is amazing, though. And it's making me realize how very much I don't enjoy my job as much as I enjoy being a writer. So THAT'S fun.
"a giant glob of happy" YES do that
Delete(The fires have gone, yes - we've had our summer rain [although not as much as we'd like... but people who live on properties are always greedy], including a large amount the night of Sister 2's 18th party... not that we minded. I'll add rain for both of us to my prayers!)
Such desperate times as we live in call for desperate measures, so... if you feel you need to chop something up, go ahead. xD And I've been enjoying my time at home as well! Jobs you don't enjoy are sad and drain the joy from life... evidently you just need to become a Super Famous Author and then you can sit at home and write all day.
Thanks for this, Jem. It's important to hear, but also hard to live out. I hope you're doing well where you are!
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard, but I'm trying to see the bright side of life in the everyday. We're well so far - I hope you're doing fine too, Emily!
DeleteAwwww a library job is SO WONDERFUL!! Lovely post, Jem. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lila! and I feel genuinely blessed to have that job, it's where I've always wanted to be <3
DeleteThis is lovely, and I always like hearing about the little things in life that make someone happy. Working at a library sounds amazing! A little thing that makes me happy is pencils. I don't know why, but there is just something so pleasing about them, especially when I think of all the words I can write or all the pictures I can draw or all the nonsensical doodles I can create with them. Pencils as a species bring me joy.
ReplyDeletePencils is such a valid answer?? they contain endless possibility and ALSO they're stationery so they automatically go on my happy list. because, uh, I... am a writer and therefore have a completely understandable stationery addiction?? Thanks for the comment, Professor, and for reminding me of the simple happiness in pencils!
Deletep.s. would you mind if I 'upgraded' you from Charles/Professor X to Wheels; I have an unreasonable urge. xP
Well, my child, if you must call me "Wheels" I will allow it, but I prefer more dignified forms of address. -Professor Charles Xavier
Delete(Haha, it just makes me happy that you remember me saying I was Charles in the first place. ;) )
I made an actual note of your name because I know my brain is full of holes...
DeleteSee, Wolverine's Hugh Jackman, and Hugh Jackman's an Aussie, and I'm an Aussie; thus my unreasonable urge to call you Wheels. xP
Your logic is undeniable. Such an urge is not unreasonable at all, but entirely reasonable. You may call me Wheels if you so desire. :)
DeleteWHEELS IT IS xD
DeleteJEM. I have missed you and your blog so much! Happy to be back :)
ReplyDeleteI love this list of small things... I've been trying to be more aware of the good things in these past few days and weeks, as well. And hey, I work as a librarian as well -- isn't it a delightful job??
We should keep in touch, friend!
Kaaaate! I've missed you as well (my fault, yes, but... xD) You work in a library too?? IT IS AMAZING. *tones down excitement so as not to cause jealousy in non-library-staff people*
Delete(actually, that's such a fun word, 'delightful'. It seems like it should be on our lists of Good Things in its own right.)
We should! Is the Bubblegum Rebellion still your primary blog? or is there a better way to keep in touch? And how is college going?