Skip to main content

Minor Joys

Image
By
from Mia Marlowe...

Update: Thanks to everyone who left a comment or question. I love hearing from you. My random winner is Betty Hamilton! If you didn't win, don't despair. I hope you'll pop over to my website for a chance to win a whole box of books just in time for Christmas!

It's easy to list off the big things for which we're thankful. It requires a little more thought to recognize the small joys of our daily lives. We have to pay attention. We have to be intentional about noticing that glow of warmth that steals over us.

When I was a child, I had a little book of verse called The Cheerful Cherub by Rebecca McCann. I love this collection of optimistic rhymes and many of the ones I committed to memory as a girl are with me still. Here's one that really describes what I'm talking about today:



One minor joy I have in fall
Almost too small to speak about--
It's after rain to step on leaves
And see the water spurting out.


Now that's a very small joy. But acknowledging those little things that give us pleasure fosters a spirit of gratitude that'll make every day brighter. Trust me. It really works.

Think for a moment about the things that make you smile--the way a mug of coffee warms your hands on a chilly day, the feel of worn denim on your legs, the laughter of a child...
Be thankful for those little things, whatever they may be. Each one is a treasure that is yours alone.

So what are your minor joys?
_____________________________

Leave a comment or question for Mia and you'll be entered in a random drawing for one of her new eNovellas.

A Duke for All Seasons
or
My Lady Below Stairs

For more about Mia and her books, find her on Facebook, Twitter and MiaMarlowe.com.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Betty HamiltonNovember 26, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    A good book.... one that I hate to put down in order to go to sleep at night... or that I am anxious to wake up to in the morning!

    bettysunflower at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carolyn BrownNovember 26, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    My great grandson's smile when I talk to him!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Betty--A good book is a great minor joy. Finding a new favorite author who is also prolific would be classified as a major joy for me! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Carolyn--Never believe those first smiles are just gas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eli YantiNovember 26, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    minor joy for me will be acquainted with new people especially new author, knowing their activity, their book and other ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hot Ash Romance NovelsNovember 26, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Awesome reminder, Mia.
    I used to notice things like that, but now that I'm an adult with a busy life, I have to remember to do this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MelanieNovember 26, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Hello Mia :)

    It is such a minor thing, but it happens every day when I walk through the door after work:

    My cat Zakk, sitting only a few inches from the door that sometimes I can't even open it , waiting for me, and I swear, if I look closely he has a grin on his face. That brings me so, so much joy.

    Melanie
    www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
    A place for all book and romance lovers!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AurianNovember 26, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Lovely post, and picture, thank you! I can very much enjoy the sight of a new flower, or a mushroom in the grass. I love most small things in nature. My boyfriend has grown accustomed to my frequent stopping to take a picture, so I am grateful of him as well ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ShanaNovember 26, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Hearing my baby say a new word, finding a new favorite author, a good cup of coffee, sleeping past 6 a.m.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kitchen Witch of the WestNovember 26, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Seeing my cat'd expression as he naps; the serene, innocent bliss emanating from him. It gives me the gift of knowing I brought joy to at least this one being in this one moment.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Terry SpearNovember 26, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Great post, Mia! When was driving to Houston to see my daughter for Thanksgiving, and worrying about the drive and traffic when I reached Houston and whether I would find my way, but first, I was in total awe of the fog--and I wished I'd had my camera with me so I could take pictures. I love taking pictures of storm clouds and rainbows, and ice dripping off plants. Then later, I can look back at them and enjoy them all over again. I think it's important to enjoy the little things like that while we drive along and miss half of what's really going on!

    ReplyDelete
  12. race BurrowesNovember 26, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Snow flurries. Hot tea. Lily of the valley scented soap. Clean sheets. Hot chocolate. A good sharp cheddar with fresh sourdough bread. Thick, fuzzy socks. A sweater fresh from the clothes dryer. The winter coat on a pony. Good books. My typing chair. Friends who take time out to meet at Panera. Smooth whiskey. Boots that don't leak. A call from my daughter... These are not small pleasures, these are the glue that hold my life together.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Barbara E.November 26, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    My minor joys: Having a great book to read in a warm, snug home. Having a lovely family who spend time with me and then leave me alone to read when I need it. Delightful food like pumpkin pie with whipped cream, cheese and crackers and hot chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Miriam NewmanNovember 26, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Stroking the silky ears on my hound and feeling how trustingly she nestles her head into the palm of my hand. Clean sheets that smell like fresh air and sunshine. Fresh air and sunshine! :) The scent of lavender, rosemary and lilac. Coffee with chicory. Being warm when it's cold out and cool when it's hot. Funny emails from friends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mia MarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Eli--What sort of things do you like to know about authors?

    ReplyDelete
  16. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Ashlyn--It's so easy to lose track of the little things. I think you're right that growing up means we stop paying attention to those small joys. Guess Peter Pan had the right idea!

    ReplyDelete
  17. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Melanie--I used to have 25 pound tom cat who adored me. I know just what you mean.

    ReplyDelete
  18. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Aurian--Having someone support you in the things that move you is so important. Sounds like you've got a keeper there!

    ReplyDelete
  19. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Shana--Sometimes hearing the baby mangle a new word is even more fun than when they get it right. I still remember my oldest daughter declaring that she was a little "feetfart." She meant "sweetheart."

    ReplyDelete
  20. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Kitchen Witch--Giving happiness to someone else (pets included) is a wonderful minor joy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Terry--Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Grace--Your winter coat on a pony took me back to when we lived in Wyoming and had a couple horses. They got so shaggy. I still remember going out to the barn early in the morning, the sky spangled with stars, snow crunching underfoot, to be greeted by their soft noses and sweet, warm breath. I miss Star and Cody.

    ReplyDelete
  23. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Barbara--Cheese and crackers are a regular part of my book club. I'm starting to associate reading with a nice sharp cheddar.

    ReplyDelete
  24. MiaMarloweNovember 26, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Miriam--There's something about petting my dogs that lowers my blood pressure and relaxes me completely.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Amanda ForesterNovember 26, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    This time of years I enjoy seeing all the Christmas lights and cuddling with my kids to watch a Christmas classic. Even if I've watched the grinch a hundred timed it is still fun!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Eli YantiNovember 27, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    so many mia, i think we all want to know about anything of our fav author, what are they doing now, what are they like, how are they spend their time especially what is their next book ;)

    ReplyDelete
  27. MiaMarloweNovember 27, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    Amanda--I love, Love, LOVE A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Every year I agonize with Ralphie over whether or not he'll get his Red Rider BB gun.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MiaMarloweNovember 27, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Eli--What I'm doing now...well, I'm thrilled to confirm that Connie Mason and I just signed another three book contract with Sourcebooks for The Royal Rakes series to be published in 2013.

    What I'm like...the best way to learn that is to read my books, visit my blog or join me of FB and Twitter.

    How I spend my time...Writing is my full-time job, so I spend a lot of each day at my computer keyboard, and even when I'm not there, I'm likely to be in my "book head" and my family knows they need to make me respond by repeating what they've told me if they want to be sure I heard them.

    If you want to know about my next book, I invite you to check out my Coming Next page or better yet, sign up for my newsletter and you'll never miss a moment!

    ReplyDelete
  29. winnieNovember 27, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Thanks for the reminder! I think it is important to recognize the minor joys in life. One of mine would be looking forward to my quality time over weekends to do whatever I want and relax :)

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. MIa MarloweNovember 27, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Winnie--Even though I've been known to work in my jammies sometimes, I still look forward to weekends because it means I have more time with my DH, my real life hero.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment