In this day and age, most of us are too busy to recognize the small things in life that bring us the most happiness. We are too quick to see the negative side of things as opposed to the positive. This section is dedicated to bringing these otherwise insignificant daily happenings to the forefront with the intentions of encouraging humankind to stop and smell the roses. These little things should not be, but often are taken for granted. Sometimes it’s ok to see the world through slightly rose-tinted glasses. We’d probably all be a lot happier if we did.
Solo at the Beach
So, for the past few summers I've always told myself that I should go to the beach...alone. Just take a day off from work, pack a chair, some snacks and good reading material, and head down the shore...alone. For whatever reasons, I NEVER would get around to doing it. Sure, I'd go down with friends, but I always wanted to take the trip by myself. I figured it would be quiet and relaxing. In the end, the summers would always get away from me, and I would never make the trip.
Well, this summer is different! At the end of June, I decided to do it. I was a little nervous, sounds silly to say, but I'd never driven to the beach alone. I was afraid I'd get lost! Lost, I did not get. Instead I had a great day, all by myself!
Just me, my chair, some snacks, and some magazines. It was a great way to clear my head and just relax. It was also nice to spend some time alone. I find the beach to be incredibly relaxing and soothing. I'm planning on doing it again at least two more times before this summer is over with. I actually felt a difference in my attitude towards work...towards most things! I felt refreshed and more at ease. After all, it's the little things that can make such a difference!
-Kim, NJ
The Wag of my Dogs Tail
It’s been a long day...again. I had a nine hour work day. Walking through the door I immediately engage in a fight with my husband. There is not a friend around I can talk to. My dog walks up to me, tail wagging, and she starts to bark. “Not now!” I yell. I go upstairs to watch T.V. I start reflecting on current things in my life. I become depressed and wonder about the decisions that I have made. All I can think of is how upset I am. I start plotting on how I want to go take a long vacation by myself. Perhaps running away to Hawaii would be nice. Something interrupts my train of thought. I hear a jingle of a bell getting closer and closer making its way up the stairs. My eyes scan over to my dog. She sits and stares at me. She signals to a stuffed animal she wants me to throw at her. “Not now!” I yell. I continue to watch the television as I hear her playing by herself. I just try to ignore her. Suddenly I can feel pressure sinking into the mattress at the end of the bed. I look up and it’s my dog sitting at the end of the bed looking at me. She puts her head down and cautiously walks toward me. I can’t help but think, “Oh now what does she want? Does she want a treat? A walk?” Instead she sits beside me and leans her chin on my chest. I pat her head and her tail starts to wag. It’s then that it hits me. All she wants is to be with me. No matter how many times I would yell at her or ignore her she is still there for me. I came home feeling so sorry for myself that I forgot to remember that there are people (or animals) around that care about me just as much as I care about them. I look at her tail and I smile. It’s then that I realize that I need to stop concentrating so much on myself and focus on others around me. When it comes to the little things in life…well, for me I suppose it’s the wag of my dog’s tail. It symbolizes happiness, loyalty, and love…emotions that are easy to overlook, but more people should appreciate that we are able to feel them.
-Jacqueline, NJ
Living with my Parents
I often get down on myself because I moved back home with my parents and have been living there for almost four years now. Neither my friends nor I expected me of all people to be living at home for this long. It really sucks not having my own space and the privacy I used to have. Now I have a room and office that I pretty much spend all my time in. But now my career is changing, and thanks to my parents and living at home, I am fortunate enough to take that jump into a potential career change. I really took for granted all the money I’m able to save by living with my parents. If I had to pay rent, I wouldn’t be able to make this huge move in my life. From here on out I am going to really focus on the positive side of living with my parents and how grateful I am that they are supporting me in my dream of owning my own business. Thank you Mom and Dad!
-Susan, owner of Identity :)
