Sunday 16 January 2022

Something To Take My Mind Off

       and away from the way of the world as it is now. I have said it many times, I am not one like Monty Python to "always look on the bright side of life". That would leave me nothing to grumble about and I do like a good old rant. Yet, even an old grump like me has favourite things. Here are a few of them:

I do love beautiful things, even more than beautiful people. Beautiful people are not always beautiful on the outside.

Books, which look and feel precious.

Sparkling cut glass and delicate china.

Chunky pottery items, bowls and mugs and vases.

The sound of Beethoven.

My pets.

The scent of lilac blossom and the scent and sight of a spray of mimosa.

Getting dirty digging about in the soil.

Lovely soft natural textures, wool, silk and cool, crisp linen. 

Embroidery and tapestry, home crafted.

Good quality writing paper and proper, old-fashioned, fountain pens. Receiving and writing hand written letters.

Thoughtful greetings, thank-you and keeping-in-touch cards.

A hot cup of soup coming back from a long winter walk.

Swimming, gently floating, turning, stretching, then, in a flurry of speed, reach the side of the pool,  terra firma, a boat moored in a bay, the bank of a river.

My bed after changing the sheets and straight after a luxurious bath.

Candlelight.

Fresh brown bread.

Walking along the seafront in a stiff breeze with the spray foaming up high on the promenade.


I could go on. Something this exercise has taught me: I am not as grumpy as I thought I would be but I do show my age. Fountain pens, indeed. Maybe I'll start a gratitude journal. Many students of human nature and the human psyche recommend doing it during rough times. 




27 comments:

  1. A great list that reads almost like a poem. Gratitude journals are a wonderful way to uplift your spirit. I started one after my husband's massive stroke and I wouldn't let myself go to bed until I'd written five things in it. Sometimes I wrote I was grateful it was bedtime. But eventually that journal helped get me out of the depression I was in by helping me to look for what was still good in my life.

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  2. It's good to remind ourselves of the things that bring us joy especially when the world around us seems to be falling apart. Perhaps I'll do a similar post. I do a quick gratitude exercise after yoga twice a week while the class leader ends the session with a Jesus prayer. I rejected that particular theology long ago and it surprises me that these women , the other attendees (I'd guess most are in their 40s), are till such intense believers that this is not something out of the ordinary. But then I live in a rural county in Texas.

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  3. A gratitude journal. Great idea!

    Me too, all these things, and a few more. 💙

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  4. I agree; your list does have a poetic ring. I can relate to almost everything on it.
    As for gratitude, that has been a dominating emotion/feeling/state of mind for me over the past 10 years or more. I know how incredibly lucky I am, being able to lead the life I am leading, reaping all the benefits the country and the society I live in provides in terms of freedom, healthcare and infrastructure.

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  5. I love the whole notion of looking for things to enjoy and appreciate. As for your grumbling, you're in tune with J B Priestley, the novelist and broadcaster, who used to say, well, I didn't have a good time, but I had a good grumble!

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  6. I'm going to use your list as my template for the day (all except the pet, since we lost our dog last year, and the swimming since it's below 5 degrees here this morning, but we're leaving for more southern climes in a few days and so I'll hold that thought in my head). And I'm sure I will feel better by

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  7. This list is not only a wonderful idea, which it is, but it's so joyful just to read. I can't help but think of "Silver white winters that melt into spring." (Well, I'll pass on the winters part, but I'm very big on the melting and spring! I resonate to so many things here -- the sparkling cut glass, the handwritten letters and notes, clean sheets, swimming and books and hot soup and of course, pets... It's joyful.

    As you and others mentioned, the gratitude journal is a wonderful tool. I did one for years and even though now I don't always write it down, every night before I go to sleep I think of five things for which I'm grateful that day. Some are repeats, some are silly (a good parking place on a rainy day!). But together they add to a little bit of life even when the day is a tough one.

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  8. Just being grateful at the beginning or end of each day by listing a few things is so good for the spirit and soul. Many people who have faced far greater difficulties than I have, have told me this kept them stable.

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  9. Beauty (from many of the same things) is what keeps me sane(ish).

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  10. Friko, it amazes me that so many of the things you enjoy, most of us enjoy also. I laughed when you said 'clean sheets' as DH and I always say, 'aah.. so nice to have clean sheets' when we change them each Friday. The cats used to love clean sheets too... jumping in and playing in and on them as we made the bed. Agreed with all you mentioned, but especially on hand written letters and walking or standing by the ocean breathing in all that fresh air! Yes, the world may be going through difficult times, but we still have a lot to be grateful for.

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  11. You have so many things that bring you joy, there shouldn't be room for any grumping. Ok, I know there is room for grump but you have really pushed it into a corner. I too had to smile at the clean sheets and it made me think of the pleasure of putting on a clean hoodie fresh from the dryer that is still warm. Ahhh.

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  12. this is a fine list. definitely enough to keep a gratitude journal pretty full. I've only had fresh brown bread a few times but you've convinced me!
    love kj

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  13. Perfect list. I can relate to all of them. Thanks.

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  14. Aaah, my blood pressure simply floated down to a more acceptable level just reading this today. So, thank you for sharing. I agree with I think almost everything on your list and your offering today has brought back to me all the things I love. Take care. Hugs from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine where we're expecting a snow mixed with rain storm this evening.

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  15. What a delightful list you've given us. Like so many others, I smiled at the fresh, clean sheets, even as I remembered how carefully we ironed sheets and pillowcases so long ago. Cut glass certainly belongs on the list, too. As a child, I'd sit for hours watching sunlight play on my mother's pieces, throwing rainbows all around the room. Today, those same bowls still cast rainbows, making me smile every time I look at them. I do miss lilacs, but wisteria does a fine job of providing a rich, sweet scent. The only thing I'd add is birdsong. I'm already hearing the occasional coo of a dove, and anticipating the songs that will herald spring.

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  16. Many of the things on your list are on mine as well. I was given a Year of Gratitude Journal for Christmas. Every page has room to write what one is grateful for that day. I find it intrigues me to come up with at least 3 things every day, and it encourages and soothes me to reread them.

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  17. I love tour list and do suggest the journaling. It helps.

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  18. I liked this idea of Gratitude Journal, Friko. Last night I did not sleep, thinking and remembering everything joyful and sad in my so long life. Now I think it's better to remember only the good moments and write them down every day. Thus, I can say that I love good things and I can see them every day.
    All the best to you, dear!

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  19. I love your list and journalling has always helped me with gratitude even on a rotten day. I agree with every single thing on your list and if you ever feel you'd like one of my cards send me your snail mail at wisewebwomanatgmaildotcom. And we all need a good old rant now and again.

    XO
    WWW

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  20. I am unable to post on my blog still, but can reply to others. Your post is a reminder to count your blessings instaed of problems. I like your list.

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  21. What a beautiful list, Friko, full of items that delight my heart, too.

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  22. I am pleased to announce I am back to blogging.

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  23. A calming and grounding list :-)

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  24. I too thought it a lovely list; nearly everything made me smile to read it and feel good inside.

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  25. A fine exercise and a nice list. I must try this soon.

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  26. Hi Friko - I'm here eventually ... that's lots of wonderful things in life ... and life is wonderful ... we just get a little pulled down at times - totally understandable - the longer days will make such a change ...

    I'll join you in most of your list ... especially the seaside and crashing waves, all things Cornish (well perhaps in the old days ... too many people now) - but Cornish cream, Crabs, wonderful scenery ...

    Take care and with thoughts ... that letter is a-coming (Soon!!) - cheers Hilary

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