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What is a simple joy? To put it simply, a joy that one recognizes that isn't complex or extravagant. I have been pondering simple joys for over 30 years, since a conversation that I had on an outing with my youth group. The conversation was between a youth group leader and me. It went something like this....

Adult: "You are entertained by very simple things!"

Me: "I like to take joy in the simple things. Is that wrong?"

Adult: *stunned*

I believe the adult meant it to be a slight or a correction. Maybe I was being an annoying teenager, and he was at his wits' end with me. I tended to have crushes on the male youth leaders in my church. I may have been acting a little boisterous and goofy. Ever since this interaction, I have pondered what it looks like to recognize simple joys and the effects of such a recognition. 

Life is found in simple joys.

A simple joy could be a great cup of coffee, sitting outside on the porch, the smell of rain, the joy of a child's laughter, the beauty of a flower, a good nap, and more. It is recognizing the everyday things that happen that bring gladness to your soul. Jonathan Lockwood Huie states, "The essence of life is not in the great victories and grand failures, but in the simple joys." Our lives will have both victories and failures, but it is the simple joys that will always be there if you look for them. 

Acknowledging and appreciating simple joys is probably one of the best things you can do for your soul. When you notice these little nuggets of happiness, it fills you with gratitude. This thankfulness builds with each recognition of simplistic happiness. Like a jar, each joy fills a little piece of the emptiness until it is full. Another benefit is that when you observe uncomplicated gladness, it keeps you grounded. In our society, the need for the bigger, better, and newer is like an infection that steals from the wholeness of our souls.  Noticing simple joys gives you perspective on what is truly important. It is not about keeping up with the incessant need for more, but about those gifts around you in your family, home, and life. 

Noticing Nuggets of Happiness.

How does one recognize these quiet joys that are present but tend to be overlooked? First, Slow Down! We are constantly moving to the next thing. We are all busy, but it doesn't hurt to take 5 to 10 minutes each day to reflect. Point out the small joys that were in your day. With enough reflection, you will start noticing them throughout your day. Next, take nothing for granted. Look for things that you take for granted and recognize the benefits. Finally, Be Intentional. You have to commit to intentionality. Don't float through your day expecting simple joys to jump right out. Discover them with intentionality. 

Simple joys were given to us to benefit our souls, minds, and hearts. They were meant to sustain us in good, mediocre, and hard times. Not recognizing these small treasures hurts us more than we know. When we choose to acknowledge and be thankful for gifts often overlooked in life, we choose a better perspective that helps us grow towards what we want. 

"Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life." ~Jack Canfield

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