the simple things

There are certain things, simple things that just make the daily that much sweeter. Things that at times I have taken forgranted but have always sent a smile through my body.

* A good book. There is absolutely nothing better than a good book. Whether I'm losing myself entirely into the world of fiction or being inspired by a biograpy, I love the sound the page makes as it turns. I love the smell of new books as well as old and the quiet of the library. Simply put, I just love being around books.

* Walking. Walking is my time for thinking. I make plans on my walks. I get inspired on my walks. I calm myself down through my walks. Walking is great exercise. And the best part is, all of this is happening just by getting to where I'm going.

* Chocolate milk for breakfast!

* Emails. Logging into gmail and having an email from someone from home. Even just the simplest email of hello makes my day. You know what else makes my day, mid-day emails from mj...modern day love letters

* Legs up the wall pose. So simple, so many benefits.

* Personal days. A whole day just for me where I can do or not do whatever I want. Eat veggies and dip, do yoga, go shopping....do it! Eat nachos and dip, sit around in my undies watching project runway....do it! Anything goes on a personal day and I love it!

* The sun! The ocean! The beach!

* Grass. My god, grass. Having lived in Canada all my life I have taken the sweetness of grass for granted. There is nothing like finding a nice patch of grass, spreading out a blanket with a book and some wine and just surrounding myself in nature.

* Yoga/Pilates!!! Just hearing the swoosh the mat makes as it rolls out brings me to a place of happiness. Knowing that no matter where I am or what I'm feeling I can get on my mat and feel at home is a great comfort.

Being here, away from the comforts of home for the last year and a few I have really grown to appreciate the simple things. It can be hard sometimes, being in a foreign country away from friends and family, finding people, things that you connect with. It is these things that help to keep me feeling connected to myself, these things that help me not to lose myself. And in turn, by keeping a sense of self, helping me on a grander scale, to feel connected with everything.

*Note to self

~ don't lose sight of the simple things ~