“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” – David Steindl-Rast
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A few days ago, I was fortunate to have run across a website called Three Beautiful Things. (http://threebeautifulthings.blogspot.com/) On one hand, it is the most simple little blog I’ve come across. On the other, it literally has the power to change anyone’s mindset and bring an abundance of joy and peace.
Clare Grant started the blog back in 2004. Each day she posts three things that have brought her pleasure that particular day. The idea has caught on and many other folks have become “3BTers.” It’s a very simple concept, but it reminds us all to pay attention to the pleasures each day brings. Inspired, I decided to record three things for each day over the weekend. Here are mine for Saturday and Sunday:
Saturday, December 3, 2011.
1) Driving My MINI Cooper. I just got it over the summer. It truly is an indescribable pleasure to drive this little convertible. With the climate in Atlanta, I can almost always get by with the top down. I pay more attention now to fresh air and am grateful for it.
2) Taking A Nap With My Dog. My beloved dog, Annabelle, loves a good afternoon nap. (Actually, Annabelle loves a nap most anytime – day or night.) You just can’t beat lying on the sofa and hearing her deep and peaceful breathing next to you. I love that dog.
3) Freshly Cut Flowers. I like to keep a couple small vases of freshly cut flowers around. It always brings me pleasure to pick out what I think will go well – always something very simple. Saturday I arranged one vase of white lilies and one vase of red daisies. I love to look at them.
Sunday, December 4, 2011.
1) Breakfast Out On Sunday Mornings. My family loves to eat out for Sunday morning breakfast. I usually don’t eat breakfast, but I love a late morning one when I can choose whatever I want – usually eggs, biscuits, and mango flavored iced tea. YUM!
2) Whole Foods Market. For me, walking into a Whole Foods Market is what I assume a lot of folks feel when they walk into church. I automatically feel a sense that all is right with the world. I love all the high-quality offerings. None of it would be as it is, however, without the wonderful employees. Always cheerful, never in a hurry – everyone seems to love his job. (I would love to work at WF some day.)
3) Making A Connection. Speaking of Whole Foods, I have made a new acquaintance with one of the employees at my local WF. I’ve gotten to know him a bit and have learned that Whole Foods is something he does to pay his bills until he can make a go of his passion – graphic and fashion design. Meeting new people who inspire me is one of the things I treasure most in this World.
I urge you to check out Three Beautiful Things. It’s a treasure to see what brings pleasure to others. Being mindful to make note of at least three things each day is also a good way to notice how wonderful the World around us really is – if we just pay attention once in a while.
Peace.
Reg L. Carver