Knowing I will moving sometime very soon, seeing my family members and friends happy, spring time, travelling to a new destination and knowing I am getting a raise and our annual bonus soon!!
”Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.” ♥
Oscar Hammerstein II
for Mary Martin
I think that one of Yram’s favorite things
is for windshield wipers that work,
as well. 🙂
Reading this question, actually! Apparently the word “smile” makes me smile, for starters.
My cat being silly.
Seeing my husband come home when he’s been out running errands. That’s my sweetheart!
Seeing either of my daughters either on screen or in real life where I’ll be getting some wonderful hugs.
The moment when I’m on my bike at the intersection with the road that takes me toward town and my best friend comes rolling up on her bike so we can ride together.
Doing improv.
Sunshine after rain.
Birds. They inhabit such a different reality sometimes. Night migrations, the intimacies of their songs, where they choose to nest … I marvel at them. Now that it is spring, I’m seeing and hearing so many birds, and it’s easy to smile.
Flowers, sun shining into the house, new leaves on trees, seeing dogs out on a walk enjoying themselves, other people giving me a genuine smile, babies smiling, a good joke, cool clouds, watching birds enjoy our bird bath.
I tend to smile when meeting or greeting someone. Kind of an automatic response. My default. It means I’m not good at intimidating people. 😁
Also, any kindness and beauty in general make me smile.
Good Morning, I am sending an excerpt from Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he expresses the power of smiling. It addresses today’s quote and today’s question. Hanh often says that “…smiling is the simplest form of meditation.” I am very thankful for today’s question. I needed this reminder.
“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax, to be peaceful, we must wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth. This is not a retreat, it is a treat. During walking meditation, during kitchen and garden work, during sitting meditation, all day long, we can practice smiling. At first you may find it difficult to smile, and we have to think about why. Smiling means that we are ourselves, that we have sovereignty over ourselves, that we are not drowned into forgetfulness. This kind of smile can be seen on the faces of Buddhas and bodisattvas.”
“I would like to offer one short poem you can recite from time to time, while breathing and smiling.
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment
I know this is a wonderful moment. ”
“Breathing in, I calm my body.’ This line is like drinking a glass of ice water-you feel the cold, the freshness, permeate your body. When I breathe in and recite this line, I actually feel the breathing calming my body, calming my mind.
‘Breathing out, I smile.’ You know the effect of a smile. A smile can relax hundreds of muscles in your face, and relax your nervous system. A smile makes you master of yourself. That is why the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas are always smiling. When you smile, you realize the wonder of the smile. ”
“Dwelling in the present moment. While I sit here, I don’t think of somewhere else, of the future or the past. I sit here, and I know where I am. This is very important. We tend be alive in the future, not now. We say, ‘Wait until I finish school and get my Ph.D. degree, and then I will be really alive.”
‘When we have it, and it’s not easy to get, we say to ourselves, ‘I have to wait until I have a job in order to be really alive. And then after the job, a car. After the car, a house. We are not capable of being alive in the present moment. We tend to postpone being alive to the future, the distant future, we don’t know when. Now is not the moment to be alive. We may never be alive at all in our entire life. Therefore the technique, if we have to speak of a technique, is to be in the present moment, to be aware that we are here and now, and the only moment to be alive is the present moment.”
“I know this is a wonderful moment.’ This is the only moment that is real. To be here and now, and enjoy the present moment is our most wonderful task.”
Thank you for this quote, Carol– the quote is especially powerful to me knowing that Thich Nhat Hanh was incredibly compassionate and did feel the sorrow of the world as well as the joy. And that he did a huge amount of concrete good in this world. So I don’t have to feel guilty about smiling, even despite all the tragedy in our world. I especially like the first part of the quote and the potential of even turning parts of a regular day into a retreat in the way that Thich Nhat Hanh describes– after all, he is including kitchen and garden work as part of the “retreat” day.
I usually smile at most things. Today will be more of a struggle to do that. My husband’s rehabilitation placement was denied. We will go it at home. My smile will be that he will be home in a more quiet environment. May healing surround us.
I hope that in the peaceful environment of your home,
your husband’s healing will come more quickly and easily.
Sending my love and best wishes to the both of you.
Last night I went to the Flyers vs Lightning game – there were many times I smiled. I love people watching and there were some good shenanigans going on at that game even though the Flyers lost.
Ngoc’s affection and playfulness, especially when she tickles me. And BTW, I remember mentioning here on this site before a few times last year that I’m the most ticklish person of all.
This question makes me smile 🙂
Really though… my husband makes me smile in so many ways, our dogs make me smile, pictures of my young nephews in CA, getting my feedback and passing score yesterday for my studies really brought on a big smile, both internally and externally! This time of year also makes me smile. There is so much in bloom right now, and I’m truly enjoying all of the crabapple trees, the redbuds, the daffodils, the bradford pear trees, and the tulip trees or magnolia janes… omg, they are my favorite!
Sunnypatti, congratulations on your passing score! Also tulip and magnolia trees, so beautiful. We don’t have them here but I get excited about the catalpas and apple blossoms.
thank you! one more section to go before certification. I am both nervous and excited!
I had to google catalpa trees, and I think I’ve seen them before… very pretty! Would love to see some apple blossoms. There were so many orchards in WNC, but I didn’t have a chance to take advantage of them during our short time in the area.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
My best friends
My dad working from home
My dogs
Snow
Pieces of art
Jesus!!!!!
Knowing I will moving sometime very soon, seeing my family members and friends happy, spring time, travelling to a new destination and knowing I am getting a raise and our annual bonus soon!!
”Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.” ♥
Oscar Hammerstein II
for Mary Martin
I think that one of Yram’s favorite things
is for windshield wipers that work,
as well. 🙂
You nailed it. Thank you!
I can hear Julie Andrews singing it – great movie and song, thank you!!
Just the best song, it never gets old!
Love that song and that movie!!
Reading this question, actually! Apparently the word “smile” makes me smile, for starters.
My cat being silly.
Seeing my husband come home when he’s been out running errands. That’s my sweetheart!
Seeing either of my daughters either on screen or in real life where I’ll be getting some wonderful hugs.
The moment when I’m on my bike at the intersection with the road that takes me toward town and my best friend comes rolling up on her bike so we can ride together.
Doing improv.
Sunshine after rain.
Much, much more but I’ll stop here for now.
The question made me smile too
Birds. They inhabit such a different reality sometimes. Night migrations, the intimacies of their songs, where they choose to nest … I marvel at them. Now that it is spring, I’m seeing and hearing so many birds, and it’s easy to smile.
🦜🦜
Drea, I’ve been hearing them churp every morning I wake up. It’s getting to be that time of year.
Flowers, sun shining into the house, new leaves on trees, seeing dogs out on a walk enjoying themselves, other people giving me a genuine smile, babies smiling, a good joke, cool clouds, watching birds enjoy our bird bath.
Anytime I see a baby, I can’t help but make silly faces in hopes of making them smile 🙂
My adorable niece and nephews. My loving husband.
A puppy.
The second and third graders that I tutor.
My wife after even a brief absence.
Friends.
I tend to smile when meeting or greeting someone. Kind of an automatic response. My default. It means I’m not good at intimidating people. 😁
Also, any kindness and beauty in general make me smile.
I have been told I can be a bit cantankerous, never have I been told intimidating!
I’m not good at intimidating people either,
dear Charlie . . .
I have no desire to even try.
That must mean something. ♥
Good Morning, I am sending an excerpt from Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he expresses the power of smiling. It addresses today’s quote and today’s question. Hanh often says that “…smiling is the simplest form of meditation.” I am very thankful for today’s question. I needed this reminder.
“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax, to be peaceful, we must wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth. This is not a retreat, it is a treat. During walking meditation, during kitchen and garden work, during sitting meditation, all day long, we can practice smiling. At first you may find it difficult to smile, and we have to think about why. Smiling means that we are ourselves, that we have sovereignty over ourselves, that we are not drowned into forgetfulness. This kind of smile can be seen on the faces of Buddhas and bodisattvas.”
“I would like to offer one short poem you can recite from time to time, while breathing and smiling.
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment
I know this is a wonderful moment. ”
“Breathing in, I calm my body.’ This line is like drinking a glass of ice water-you feel the cold, the freshness, permeate your body. When I breathe in and recite this line, I actually feel the breathing calming my body, calming my mind.
‘Breathing out, I smile.’ You know the effect of a smile. A smile can relax hundreds of muscles in your face, and relax your nervous system. A smile makes you master of yourself. That is why the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas are always smiling. When you smile, you realize the wonder of the smile. ”
“Dwelling in the present moment. While I sit here, I don’t think of somewhere else, of the future or the past. I sit here, and I know where I am. This is very important. We tend be alive in the future, not now. We say, ‘Wait until I finish school and get my Ph.D. degree, and then I will be really alive.”
‘When we have it, and it’s not easy to get, we say to ourselves, ‘I have to wait until I have a job in order to be really alive. And then after the job, a car. After the car, a house. We are not capable of being alive in the present moment. We tend to postpone being alive to the future, the distant future, we don’t know when. Now is not the moment to be alive. We may never be alive at all in our entire life. Therefore the technique, if we have to speak of a technique, is to be in the present moment, to be aware that we are here and now, and the only moment to be alive is the present moment.”
“I know this is a wonderful moment.’ This is the only moment that is real. To be here and now, and enjoy the present moment is our most wonderful task.”
Carol, Thank you so much for sharing this! I also felt my body at ease after I read “breathing in, I calm my body” good stuff!!
I have those four lines of his poem on a post-it note I keep with my journal.
Thank you for this quote, Carol– the quote is especially powerful to me knowing that Thich Nhat Hanh was incredibly compassionate and did feel the sorrow of the world as well as the joy. And that he did a huge amount of concrete good in this world. So I don’t have to feel guilty about smiling, even despite all the tragedy in our world. I especially like the first part of the quote and the potential of even turning parts of a regular day into a retreat in the way that Thich Nhat Hanh describes– after all, he is including kitchen and garden work as part of the “retreat” day.
I usually smile at most things. Today will be more of a struggle to do that. My husband’s rehabilitation placement was denied. We will go it at home. My smile will be that he will be home in a more quiet environment. May healing surround us.
Indeed, Yram. May healing surround you and yours.
Sending healing prayers to you both
May healing be with you and your husband, dear Yram, and blessings.
I hope that in the peaceful environment of your home,
your husband’s healing will come more quickly and easily.
Sending my love and best wishes to the both of you.
Yes, dear Yram, may healing surround us. Thank you.
I pray for healing to surround you both as well.
You and your husband,
dear Yram,
are in my heart
as you face new challenges . . .
I hope there are people who can help you with this. ♥
May healing surround you ❤️.
YRAM, you are an ispiration
Last night I went to the Flyers vs Lightning game – there were many times I smiled. I love people watching and there were some good shenanigans going on at that game even though the Flyers lost.
The Philadelphia Flyers and from where Lightning? Hockey, right?
yes, Tampa Bay Lightning
Ngoc’s affection and playfulness, especially when she tickles me. And BTW, I remember mentioning here on this site before a few times last year that I’m the most ticklish person of all.
This question makes me smile 🙂
Really though… my husband makes me smile in so many ways, our dogs make me smile, pictures of my young nephews in CA, getting my feedback and passing score yesterday for my studies really brought on a big smile, both internally and externally! This time of year also makes me smile. There is so much in bloom right now, and I’m truly enjoying all of the crabapple trees, the redbuds, the daffodils, the bradford pear trees, and the tulip trees or magnolia janes… omg, they are my favorite!
. . . making me anxious to see first blooms here. ♥
A way off here, but all good things take the proper time.
This is definitely my favorite time of year… growth, color, more birdsong, longer days, warmer weather… OM….
I can appreciate that,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
Sunnypatti, congratulations on your passing score! Also tulip and magnolia trees, so beautiful. We don’t have them here but I get excited about the catalpas and apple blossoms.
thank you! one more section to go before certification. I am both nervous and excited!
I had to google catalpa trees, and I think I’ve seen them before… very pretty! Would love to see some apple blossoms. There were so many orchards in WNC, but I didn’t have a chance to take advantage of them during our short time in the area.
When I recall loving words from Loc and others….
My Ngoc, I love your long hair and natural sweet voice.