Words

Words can be many things. If you're really lucky, sometimes they can be truly amazing and touch your heart.

There is beauty in small things

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

 WH Davies

I was going to post this today anyway because it's been in my head. But then I heard that someone I knew when I was younger died yesterday before her time and it just reinforced that we all need to take time to live our lives, notice the joy and beauty around us and not put off happiness if we have the opportunity for it. We should grab life and love with both hands and hold it close to ourselves, enjoying its warmth and sharing it with others. We should take time to celebrate the beauty around us.

30 things

My online friend and inspirator (is that a word? if not it should be!), Kitty Pinkstars blogged today about the importance of finding things that make you smile and suggested making a list of 30 things, just as they come to mind and in no particular order.

So here goes. My 30 things that make me smile out loud are:

1. My nephew's infectious giggle
2. Beautiful sunsets
3. Pure white untouched snow
4. The first green leaves of spring
5. Snowdrops, crocus and daffodils - all the spring flowers
6. Cherry blossom
7. The perfect Cosmopolitan
8. Lunch with friends
9. Completing a project
10. Starting a project
11. A home cooked meal
12. Coffee and good company
13. Mastering a new step at tango
14. Candles and a log fire
15. Fresh sheets
16. A cosy hot water bottle
17. A crisp winter morning
18. Dawn on a perfect summer day
19. The seaside in any weather
20. Fish and chips
21. Tom & Jerry cartoons
22. Watching clouds
23. Bonfires
24. Singstar battles
25. Getting to the top of the hill
26. Misty mornings
27. Unexpected mail items
28. The end of a run
29. Holiday adventures
30. Being met at the airport

So what's your list?