Life's purest joys are found in simple pleasures!

A colorful rainbow, a snow capped mountain, the smell of coffee, a smile from a stranger, IF you take time to slow down, become "aware and present" you will find pleasure in the most simple things of life. Life is a gift, let's soak it ALL in! As I continue on my journey there are times when I think, "this is so very slow" but the "joy" is IN the journey and my journey is within me. We are always waiting to get to the destiny rather than enjoying the journey and being present for each day. Here are some of my simple pleasures I have enjoyed this last week. A few days ago while driving on the freeway I was overwhelmed with how I had learned to love and respect myself  in the last few months, I began to weep. I felt like a warm refreshing rain was cascading over the top of my head all the way down to my feet. I soaked it in and didn't want it to end. This photo represents how many pounds I have lost, these are colored paper clips hanging in my office wall. These silly little paper clips are a constant reminder of my progress, I can ignore them or glance at them each day and give myself a pat on the back. Simple but effective. As I was working with my trainer today I was in a private room with large mirrors. I am not fond of mirrors for obvious reasons but this time I stared at myself and acknowledged my accomplishments as reflected by the mirrors. There was a very nice looking man or should I say a gorgeous looking young man in his twenties quietly working on his floor exercises while we were there. I felt somewhat self conscious in front of him but I could tell he was focusing on his work and not paying too much attention to us. My trainer had me carry a weight on my shoulder that represented my weight loss so I could feel what a difference 25 lbs extra can make when carrying it around all day. At the end of my work out I walked by this manly man with muscles bulging and he stopped me, he expressed to me how well I was doing and encouraged me to keep on, he was warm and kind. Well, I was flabbergasted because I thought he was probably judging me because of my size, but instead, here he was giving me a pep talk to hang in there and stay the course. I told my trainer he must have a "good mom" because he was so young and such a gentleman, a woman had to be responsible somehow for this gracious young man. A simple act of kindness on his part that meant the world to me. Then my trainer hugged me and said she had something for me, it was a book that she knew I would love, it was like icing on the cake. I have had a week of simple and wonderful pleasures that have shown me that life is good, others are kind and all of us our worth it!!