TGIF! I am glad that the week is drawing to a close. It’s been a busy, crazy, hectic week. They all seem to be like that, though. I am reminded when life gets crazy that sometimes the best things in life are free.
Things like:
Blooming flowers
Blue Skies & Sunshine in San Diego
Skylar’s smile
Walks on the beach together
Laughter and recent meetups with friends, Here and Here
I like this little passage. Maybe you’ll like it, too.
Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent (Author Unknown)
1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING…
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION…
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER…
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE…
It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT…
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR…
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE…
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION…
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it’s not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
Moving on…
Time to think about a snack.
Maybe Kale Chips are your idea of snacking
Or how about No-Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Vegan Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chex Mix, i.e. Puppy Chow (No-Bake, Vegan, GF) makes a highly addictive great snack
From my last post about Photo Editing: Before & After, Truths & Trickery, thanks for all the wonderful feedback and your thoughts about the future of photography. Many of you said that you believe that photography as we once knew it is gone and that everything now is generally manipulated to some extent.
And thanks for the great comments and your thoughts about photo editing, airbrushing, photoshopping, and such as it pertains to celebrities in magazines or in online photos. Many of you do feel tricked by what you see. As I said in the post, it takes really having your head on straight and some maturity to realize that the images we see of women in magazines and in the media are not what those women really look like in their real life. We know this intellectually, but it’s hard to wrap our emotional headspace around it, and fully internalize it.
Thanks for the awesome feedback on the post and thanks to new readers and de-lurkers for chiming in.
Moving on to a Snack/Dessert: No Bake Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls (you can use Almond, Sunflower Seed, or Cashew Butter in them, too)
Questions:
1. Do you think that sometimes the best things in life are free? What free things in life do you love?
Don’t worry, I know that money is important and we can’t pay our electric bill with smiles and walks on the beach. I have always said, life is easier with money than without.
But money isn’t everything and it can’t buy and sustain long term happiness, not for me anyway.
So when life gets busy, hectic, chaotic and I am rushing around like a maniac, it’s good for me to stop and smell the roses, look at the bright blue sunny skies, hug Skylar and just watch her smile. That’s how I decompress, ground myself, and sustain a sense of internal joy.
However, I’m not a Saint. I admit, buying things on This List or This List would be fun, too. And those things sure aren’t free!
Also my post on Being Grateful & Thankful and remembering to take time to appreciate what we do have, most of which are free things or things that cost nothing, is a good reminder when life gets crazy.
2. Did any of the 1 – 8 items in the passage I posted jump out at you?
For me, #5 compliments! It doesn’t cost anything to compliment someone. I wish women wouldn’t be so stingy with complimenting each other. It’s amazing how good you can make someone else feel, and in turn yourself when you see how happy you made the person, by just having something complimentary to someone. Not fake, of course, but just throw them a little compliment. And watch their joy.
Also #7 solitude. Oh, I need my solitude and alone time and that is probably one of the best free gifts, ever!
3. Weekend plans?
I’m working, spending time with Skylar, running errands, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, working out, you know, just chillin’ and eating bon-bons on the couch.
The ones that popped out at me were the gifts of compliments and gifts of notes — getting a ‘good job’ or ‘thank you’ goes a long way and really boosts my mood! Same with notes — I love getting letters in the mail or emails! Any type of acknowledgment like that makes me happy!
Yes the best things in life are free — spending time with friends, family, etc. doesn’t cost anything and yet those are the best moments!
Ahhhh, so jealous of your sunshine and blue skies!! Some of the best things in life are definitely free!
I absolutely believe the best things in life are free. Thank you for the reminder to appreciate the little things. :-)
you asked me a question about lightroom and i forgot what it was exactly but i do love it and if you are into photography, and want to learn, then you’d like it too!
You’re absolute right! I Love the Smell of Flowers in the Spring :)
Oh yes, some of the best things really are free. The compliment at just the right time, the smile passed on to you, the hug, can’t pay for those.
Your first picture of the flowers has really brightened my day–it’s cold here, still, and the flowers are so gorgeous!
became alert to your blog through google, and found that it is truly informative.
My fav free things are sunshine and kisses – preferably at the same time!
I agree that women are too stingy with compliments. I have always given them out freely and sometimes I get looked at like I am crazy, or like I am hitting on them! It’s a shame that being nice is so suspect these days.
I never retouch my photos, mainly because I don’t know how! But also because I disagree with the process on a certain level. I prefer to be as authentic and real as possible, even if it means a shadow here or there.
I’m super hungry for kale chips now…..
The gift of affection and the gift of laughter! I love those. I am all about the free gifts that have nothing to do with material items. Who needs stuff when you can have those? I hope you get to enjoy more of that today Averie! Have a great one my friend!
I LOVE that list Averie! I’d say I really relate to the affection and laughter ones. My best memories are when I’m with people I love, laughing, smiling, and simply HAPPY. Affection because hugs can seriously turn around someone’s entire week, and they are so simple to give. :)
Friends are the best thing in life, and they are free! they are guaranteed to make you feel good and show you a good time.
I agree! compliments build confidence and character. And they are so easy to give. Everyone can find at least one thing nice to say about another. I’ll start….Skylar is gorgeous, she must get her looks from you!
:)
The gift of true, close friendship & companionship = definitely a “best thing thing in life that’s free.”
It has been a bit of a long week. I’m ready for the weekend! Skylar’s hair is getting so long! Its very pretty. And it is a great reminder that a lot of the best things in life are free ;) Yummy eats…..you know I want to make that puppy chow- I will get around to it one of these days :)
that is a wonderful list, averie. for me #1 and #4 jump out. i so appreciate when someone listens to me, and i genuinely enjoy listening to other people. the best thing i learned is to talk less, listen more, a lot of the time. i LOVE receiving a handwritten note! in this techie age, taking time to write to someone is endearing. that’s why i am sticking to handwritten christmas cards and notes! (i know, the season is far off, still!)
i’ve got a busy work weekend – all the best with your chores/tasks, too!
Hey Averie, hectic it is indeed, I haven’t commented for what seems such a long time! And now I’m back to a great post :)
Today I love the sun. Brussels is not usually the best when it comes to nice weather (understatement) but the sun has been doning its best rays for days now, and it feels so good just walking to work in such a light. I’m a photovoltaic sunflower ;)
I love the passage you quoted, especially #1, the gift of listening. I am a good listener in general, but I also tend to cut people off sometimes, and talk a lot too when I should be listening. I’ll remember that one.
Plans for the weekend: a yoga workshop on Saturday morning, and a breakfast delivered at home on Sunday morning (gift from friends), some art making, some running, some cuddling, some yoga class preparing, and Monday will be right round the corner already!