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We’ve talked many times before about gratitude, about the importance of seeing the beauty in the little things. After my father passed away this really hit home. So, below, is a tribute to the small stuff, which to me, is actually pretty darn big.

When we open our eyes, suddenly the supposed cellulite on our legs doesn’t matter so much, suddenly we smile more, suddenly we take in the scenery and forget about the shoulds (as in, “I should lose X many pounds” or “I should be dieting” or “I should change my appearance” or “I should exercise harder” or “I should work off that dessert”).

When we open our eyes, we appreciate life more. We appreciate the people – and hopefully ourselves.

When we open our eyes, we’re happier.

Happiness resides in the little things. In inside jokes, in lunch with a loved one, in curling up on the couch with your pet, in walking and focusing on the flowers, trees, sun, sky and the beauty of nature.

By the way, in yesterday’s post, I mentioned that I wrote about my father for Psych Central. If you’re interested, check out being fatherless on Father’s Day.

Without further ado, here’s what I love…

• A crunchy, juice-splattered bite into a crisp apple. Yum!
• The way my cat comes over when I call him, like he used to with my dad, and how his fur and jelly belly swish from side to side.
• That I can fall in love with a sentence.
• Strolling along the bustling, buzzing, beautiful streets of NYC.
• Seeing snow (I do live in a tropical-ish climate).
• Books, rows and rows of books.
• Big, full-bellied laughs with family.
• Marathon conversations with best friends.
• Marathon shopping with mom.
• Feeling like a kid at Magic Kingdom.
• Spending half the day in a quiet house, nestled underneath the covers, with a good book or Nook in my hands.
• A walk along the beach, waves crashing, in awe of mother nature.
• A compliment I give to myself, in awe of my own body.
• The sense of safety I feel in my boyfriend’s arms.
• Looking at photos of my family and reminiscing.
• The rich, bitter-ish, delicious taste of dark chocolate.
• The cool, sweet taste of ice cream in the summer.
• Biking along a trail, looking up at the endless rows of sky-scraper-like trees, as the sun peeks through.
• Making a silly joke and having the other person erupt in laughter.
• Finding grandparents in the neighbors next door.
• Fridays!

What things do you love? What do you find beautiful in your life? What captures your attention?

(A version of this post was published on my personal writing blog.)

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    Last reviewed: 30 Jun 2011