Holding Pure Joy! Thanks Chris!
Some time ago, I came across a saying
It’s the little things that make life Big
and instantly I fell in love with it, because my heart has always celebrated little things. I even asked my mom recently if I had always loved the little things in life as a child and she recalled that I did. That the small, wonderful and simple things were always amazing to me. Learning that made my heart smile.
Many that know me, know I love Reese Cups and the picture here is me holding a “GIFT” from a student that had just attended the concept of Spreading Joy presentation at their school. I held it up to Angie, saying in my mind “LOOOOOK what I just got!!” I was so excited because I came to the school that day to GIVE to the students, not expecting a single thing in return and he put what he had just heard to work by spreading joy MY way. Those kinds of unexpected little things will make my heart float through the day!
Inspired from a calendar of 10 Happy Things a day I purchased as a treat for myself last year, I started keeping a list in the back of my journal of the wonderful little things that make my heart smile. I’ve decided to share them with you here, hoping that as you journey through your day with a million little joys floating around you, you’ll take time to notice them as well as appreciate them. Who knows, maybe you’ll start a list of the little things that make your life BIG too! (I’m ordering the 3,650 Things To Be Happy About Calendar again this year. Click the link and you can to 😉 )
In no particular order at all – Some of the little things that make my life BIG!
| Coffee | Reesecups | Hugs | Diet Coke | Twinkling Eyes |
| Smiles | Missionaries | Gum | Books | Rainbows |
| Ocean | Sunrise | Sunset | Full Moon | Gel Pens w/Bright colors |
| Cloud Shapes | Bright Stars | Playdoh | Bible | Blowing Bubbles |
| Singing | Music | American Flag | Sunglasses | Handwritten Notes |
| Chuck Norris | Soft Carpet | Favorite Jeans | Monkeys | Roasted Marshmallows |
| Favorite Tennis shoes | Riding a Bike | Walk along a river | Roasted Marshmallows | Hot Chocolate w/marshmallows |
| Holding Hands | Blue Roses | Teddy Bears | Soft Kleenex | Over Sized Sweaters |
| Watching My kids sleep | Laying in grass alone | Sound of crashing waves | Laying in grass w/a friend | Catching snowflakes on tongue |
| Fresh Snowfall | Long necklaces | Wizard of Oz | Fireballs | Splashing in a puddle |
| M&M’s | Cute Socks | Technology | Toe Socks | Unsweetened Iced Tea |
| Breakfast | Christmas | Green LIghts | Soldiers | Heart dangle earrings |
| Standing Firm | Blackberry | Disney World | Nurses | Handmade bracelets |
| Jukebox full of Oldies | Lightning across the sky | Crossing a bridge w/out stopping | Police officers | Friends who call in the middle of the night |
| Roller Coasters | Puppies | Slinkies | Card games | Instant Messaging |
| Board Games | Cute Note Pads | Sticky Notes | White Out | Unconditional Love |
| Steady Rain | Rolling Fog | Crisp Breeze | Hot Soup | Waking to a kiss |
| Forgiveness | Cute Purses | Quotes | Poems | Making Cotton Candy |
| Belly Laughs | Pictures | Scrapbooking | Opals | Eating Cotton Candy |
| Sleeping Babies | Audio Bible | Audio Books | Skype | Thunder in the distance |
| Lemonade | Circus | Cute Sunglasses | iTunes | Precious moments |
| Face Painting | No Spill Days | iTouch | Hair Spray | Hot Cookies out of oven |
| Hugs from nieces/nephews | Watching when NO one sees | Overstuffed comfy chairs | My Heart Ring from Daddy | Hot Cake w/melted icing |
| Swinging on Swing | HUGE sliding boards | Empty Tomb of HOPE | Being SAFE in Gods Arms | Breakfast for Dinner |
| Choices | Triple Coupons | Coming Home | Operas | Hugs for NO reason |
| Walking Barefoot | Random Photos | Happy Endings | Roses | Little Debbie Cakes |
| Plants surviving in my house | Growing up to be my Mom | Being only ONE in the movie theater | Meeting new People | Sitting sideways in comfy chair |
| Ice Cold Slushies | Animal Cookies | Disney Classics | Hope | Always having music |
| Spreading JOY | Opportunities | Water Slides | God’s Power | Chuck Norris Bookmark |
| Golden Sunsets | God’s Plan | Safe flights | Free Dinner | Bath & Bodyworks |
| Smiles during tears | Toasted Bagels & Cream Cheese | Watching a merry go round | Movie Theater Popcorn | Social Media making world accessible |
| Hope Restored | New Watches | Misprints | Paper Clips | Kids that talk &talk…. |
| Sparkles of love in eyes of friend | Kisses from Todd & Megan | Snow that is soft on day 2 | Listening to the Rain | Watching my kids make the RIGHT decisions |
| Unplanned vacations | Full moon hanging on a cloud | Long lingering WARM hugs | Seeing Todd for 19th Bday | Hearing Harry Connick JR Sing in PERSON! |
| Blistex | Journey Perfume | Care Bears | Curve cologne | Monkey Bookmark |
| Sleeping to sound of ocean lapping at shore | PB&J Sandwiches w/Milk | Extra HOT Cinnamon Dolce Latte | Laughing thru nite w/a friend | Sleeping just after alarm goes off |
| Free Anything | Niagara falls | Contentment | A quick exit | Beach Trips w/Mom |
| Passing w/A “C” | God’s Character | God’s Promises | God’s Power | Free Audio Books |
| Golden Grahams | Curve 4 Women | Tweet-ups | Candid photos | Meeting Chuck Norris |
| Kids Praying | Being Welcome | Being Paid Up | …….Instead | Dreams Coming True |
| Singing YOU are my sunshine! | Power of Holy Spirit | Overhearing kids say something nice | Chocolate covered pretzels | Being held close as I sleep |
| Texts from my children | Sitting w/young people | Blowing bubbles w/gum | Kisses on the forehead | Chocolate covered Marshmallows |
| Seeing Dad in my dreams | A day of “To Don’ts” | Beauty in the Ordinary | Being loved as always | Saved messages in my Voice Mail |
| Unexpected help | Reesecups in mail | Being Found | Being Trusted | My Flower garden living |
| Angels Among us | Hugs from Santa | Being Noticed | Guidance | Ocean at Midnight |
| Not giving up | Pondering | Finishing | Soaring | Fireplace at 1 am |
| Cute Coffee Cups | Saying Thank YOU | Treasures of the heart | Courage to step out | Making a Difference |
| Smokies of TN | Cobblestone walkways | Firefighter friends in Boston | Acceptance of situation | Frequent Flier Miles |
| Early Morning Smiles | Loving with No Boundaries | Great things HE has done | Appreciating NOW | Learning to live again |
| Phone calls of thanks from ocean | Love that lasts forever | Realizing love hurts and it’s ok | Brightening MY corner of the world | Unbridled laughter of Teen girls |
| Meg sitting upside down | Todd’s time beside me talking about nothing | Noticing a smile & glance from across the room | Getting items donated for others | Discernment right on time |
| Getting what you need | Hearing what is NOT being said | Computer prayers answered | Sitting in Church w/mom | Being happy -regardless |
| Seeing Hearts Grow | My moms unconditional love | Winning the heart of a shy child | Hair blowing in the wind | Learning a friend is a true American Hero |
| Happy gatherings for no reason | Getting the gift that seemed ridiculous | Realizing the headache is easing up | Texts asking are you OK after horrid day | Kisses from my almost grown children |
| Laughing while others wonder | Unexpected gifts in the mail | Printing off cute photo hugs | Sight for sore eyes | Little Debbie making it easy to give by giving |
| Falling asleep immediately | Whiffs of old spice | Being prayed through | Color making my day bright | Laughing at myself |
| Friends Praying | Walmart @ 5 am | One More Day | Protection | Getting to the Point |
| Certainty | String cheese | 2 hour naps | Another Chance | My John R. Rice Bible |
| Wild Flowers | New Journeys | Simple pleasures | Moments | Keeping things going |
| Giggling…a few days later | Honest Communication | Inspirational words | Listening…really listening | Being accepted just as I am |
| Being Believed in | Joy after the Pain | Blueberry Muffins | Family Cookout | Surprise phone calls |
| Strawberry yogurt | Extra night for free | Believing in my children | Brighter days ahead | Sharing my passion |
| Marie Pong | A car to borrow | New purse 4 free | Messages | Peace, glorious peace |
| Stress free ping pong | Cool nights after hot summer | Resources at fingertips | Hot apple cider w/cinnamon | Guilt leaving the heart |
| Passing with flying colors | Fasting & being close to God | Finding out you’ve inspired someone | Msg of Praise for blessing Psalm 6 | Todd in suit & Tie for me |
| New book in mail | No bake cookies | Privacy!!! | Stickers | Knowing this isn’t all |
| Being inspired | Cool Sandals | Encouraging texts | Milk duds | 1895 House a B&B |
| Learning from an expert | Being a persistent little booger | Beach all to myself | Emptying my heart of guilt | Trusting even when I don’t understand |
| m&m minis | Stickers in journal | Stickers on FB | Coming Home | Being a Homebody |
| Jesus – Always | Wanting to…. | Gifts to myself | Silence | Cool sunglasses cheap |
| Todd saying “its perfect mom” | Foggy Quiet mornings | One of these days…being today | Exploring new places | Shaking hands w/40 military personnel |
| A smile that dries the tears | Bright paper to write on | Breeze from an open window | Sounds that brings smiles | Opportunities in another state |
| Going before security comes | Praying without ceasing | Travel and exploration | Coming home to a clean kitchen | Strength for tomorrow |
| Sweater when you need it | Moon hanging in the morning sky | Mountains every where I look | Recognizing simple miracles | Kids having the Bible I gave to them from 2nd grade & they are in 5th grade now |
| Friends sharing pics of beach & mountains | Visiting a new ice cream shop | Letting my light shine | Christmas Stockings | Watching a wall of rain approach |
| Lance cheese &pb crackers | Compliment from Princess Megan | Famous Author commenting on blog | Warm comfy Christmas sweaters | Phoning a friend, asking for help & getting it |
| Phone call from Todd | Contacts & Corrective lenses | Praying at Alter & a friend joins unexpectedly | Surprise Videos in email from friend | Unexpected knocks at door |
| Cool Journals | Chocolate Milk | Plums | Peace Lilies | Fixing a problem easily |
| Cool Whip | Sprinkles on top | Remembering | IT Heroes | Wonder Woman |
| Fresh Roasted chicken dinner | Fav Worship song being sung live | Dinner, movie & Bookstore date | Friends pics on FB | Watching my brothers with their Grand kids |
| Saying Yes to God and trusting | Muffins in the Mail | Mustard seed faith | Blissful UNeventfulness | Sausage Egg & Cheese McMuffin |
| Bewitched | Cool Boots | Blue Ridge Pkwy | Promises Kept | When the stars line up |
| Cake Icing Wars with Todd | Meg Blocking goals in soccer | Reading under a tree | Warmth from Fire Place | Cream Cheese Brownies |
| Sesame Chicken | Bundling up | Emergency Exits | Par 3 | More than Enough |
| List making | Anklets | Bracelets | Cool shells | Stove Top Stuffing |
| Wireless Internet | Lucky Charms | Winter Olympics | “Getting” It | Hands free Headset |
| Laughing till I Cry | Del Sol Nail Polish | Mailing Gifts | Sleeping In | Hot hush puppies |
| Free E Books | Signed Book | Silly Book marks | Silly Putty | Chuck Norris Facts |
| Cute Stickers | Worship Songs | Balloon bouquets | Happy bunny | Key Chain from friend |
| Special Olympics & the smiles | Matching Hair color | Sugar free Lattes from McDonalds | Burger king Onion Rings | Weekend alone at beach |
| Scotch Tape | Sharpie Markers | Love Songs | Oldies | Paper Jam Free Days |
| Extra Strength Tylenol | Mechanical pencils | Chocolate cupcakes | Secrets of the heart | Finding lids for bowls easily |
| Faith | Oranges | Strawberries | Ranch Dip | Late nights on Twitter |
| Seizing the Day | Being Needed | An Extra Hug | Inner Strength | Living your Passion |
| Soothing rain | Bacon | Phases of moon | Bounciness | Upgrades for free |
| Wooden swing on tree w/ropes | Extra suite for guests | Sitting in warmth of sunshine | Kids doing what is asked on first request | Thinking of a friend late at night, calling and they answer |
| Exactly enough cake | Kisses from slobbery babies | Unexpected calls that make you laugh | Knowing what faith can do | Peanut Butter sticks |
| Messing with song director in church, during service | Wonder Woman to do book | Missionaries coming to visit church | Sitting with Angie in church | Minute maid sugar free lemonade |
| People Watching | Tip toeing | Wall of windows | Chips & salsa | Napping in the sun |
| Cute post it notes | Barefoot in grass | Romantic table for 2 | Slow dancing | Love songs being sung to you |
| Laying in his arms | Children that prayin…believing | Laughter through troubles | Emails | Finding true love |
| Splitting a banana split | Ending the day with a friend | Arriving safely | Easter baskets | Sharing JOY with others |
| Facebook friends | God’s Strength | More than 1 bestest friend | Hot fudge brownie sundae | Starting a chain of yawning |
| Pony tail holders | Secret paths | Schoochin | Clean windows | Pimento cheese |
| Pig tails | Face paint | Challenge free trips | Corn dogs | Gazing at sky |
| Perseverance | Funny people | Something worth waiting for | Early morning thunder storms | Time capsules |
| Welcome home flowers | Watermelon | Emailed hugs | Feeling better after crying | Waking to roses |
| You Tube qued up | Help through the rain | Swimming | Being prayed for & not even knowing it | Deep, peaceful sleep – through the night |
Whew…. that is a lot, I know. but trust me. this list will continue grow. Maybe the next set will be in color…as I do love writing in color. All of these things listed in my journal are in different colors.
What are some of the little things that make YOUR life big? What JOYS do you see daily that make your heart smile? I hope you’ll take the time to tell us! You never know who YOU will inspire!
{{{HUGS}} yall
© 2010 – 2011, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
Wow, this is such a lovely post, Marie. =)
It’s nice to sit back and realise what it is that can bring a smile to your face, and so rewarding to realise that even the little things can have such an impact.
Thank you for such a lovely read 🙂
*big bear hugs*
For those of you that have never met Marie in person, let me tell you this. She is just as happy in person as she is online.
Marie, I have figured out your secret, it’s the Reese’s cup. When I go in the store I have to buy one, and my daughter has started bringing them to me. Every time I eat one it brings a smile to my face knowing how much the little things in life can make such a difference.
Dwayne recently posted..My favorite place to be!
Marie and her Reese’s Cups … the two shall never part. LOL
I absolutely LUV’d reading your post. Too many times folks overlook the little things just to get a gander at the bigger ones. I’m glad that I too am one to appreciate the little blessings unexpectedly given to me each and every day 🙂
Keep writing such inspiring posts!
I could easily go through a box of kleenex while on your beautiful site Marie. You are a God send for sure.
Plenty of hugs!!
Callie recently posted..MySurvey Pays!
Thanks Marie for this post. It was so cute reading all the things that make you smile. It inspires me to write a list of my own…I think sometimes it’s very easy to forget “the little things” that make us smile because I think sometimes we are always looking for “the big things”. Thanks Marie for always managing to put a smile on my face! =)
Sending you a nice BIG BEAR HUG!!
@Candi, thanks sweetstuff for the big bear hugs you leave me = always. love that too. You are correct, the impact that little things can make are great!!
@Dwayne – ohhhh reesecups are truly one of my secrets!! They do bring me great joy, always have. Especially when you make one last at least 4 bites 😉 – YOU, KNOW the little things are key – as your journey has made you sit back and really soak them up. Thank you for the smile, and i’m sure reesecups can never truly replace milkduds! *smiling*
@Callie – Aww..thank you sweetie. Gandering at the bigger things for a few moments is nothing compared to truly enjoying the little things. Thank you for the encouragement you bring my way!!
@Angie -GodsWordisTruth – Whahooo – i loove inspiring people to jot down the little things that make their life BIG!! You start noticing things even more when you are looking for them. looove the big bear hug!
Thank you all for taking the time to share!! YOU are fantablous!! {{HUGS}} for your day!
Marie:
I love this list of little things that bring you joy and can relate to many of them myself. And knowing you as I do, I can totally see how this list fits you! I hope everyone will read this and realize the blessing of enjoying the little things.
Thanks for making me smile.
Bridget Haymond recently posted..The Benefits of Healthy Competition
Thank you Bridget. I love the fact that you truly do KNOW that this is completely me. I wish I could get everyone to see all the wonderful little things that are sprinkled about them each and every day. Hopefully this list will give them a wonderful starting point!!
Thank you! {{HUGS}}
Love it.. JOY is my favorite word and I also, love spreading it! Thanks so much for your posts. Through finding out about very ill friends to enjoying tea with my ‘girlfriends’ and everything given in between… I find deep joy and peace. That, of course, comes from my faith. I celebrate the ability to express my joy and recognize it in others from very far away.
Bloom Girl Bloom comes out this summer. My first non-fiction book by Park East Press.
Much JOY to you and yours~ janrmiesse – twitter Jan Cubbison Miesse FBook and soon to have- Fan Page- Please join me.
Jan
I love your list. I am a big supporter of being thankful for all things, even those that are little!
-I am thankful that my husband is starting an hour earlier and getting off an hour earlier starting today
-coffee
-unsweetened tea
-coupons
-library
-miles of walking trails
-internet friends (friends in a box!)
I have SO many!
Thank you for posting this, I really needed that
Mandisa’s ‘Good Morning’ song
Chick-Fil-A chicken
smiling at babies or toddlers and getting a smile back
sweet tea
popcorn
playing with a puppy
laughing with friends
being in a warm bed when the weather is cold
encouragement of friends
cool breezes
Thanks y’all for adding your little things!! They are such a huge part of our world!!
Marie recently posted..Helping One