Loving Life

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.”
 ~Daisaku Ikeda



Reflecting on my life and what it has given to me and what I have taken from it hasn't all been great, but I have no regrets. I believe that everything we go through happens for a reason, weather it is good or bad, it changes us and we should embrace everything. I have been thinking about what I love about life, and these are a few of my thoughts...


I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. 
~Mother Theresa

LOVE

1. My husbands kiss.

2. A hug from one of my children.

3. The friendship that lies within my marriage.

4. The pure innocent love of a pet.

5. The trust that comes with true friendship.

6. Snuggles. 

7. Those moments when you look at someone and your heart and mind instantly fill with love.

8. The little things that people do that say "I love you" far louder than any diamond ever will.

9. Giving gifts to those you love, far more gratifying than receiving any day.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?” 
~AA Milne

FEELINGS

10.  A warm bed on a cool day, especially when you know you don't have to leave it!

11. The heat of a summer sun on bare skin.

12. A swimming pool on a hot day.

13.  Crawling into a freshly made bed.

14. My husband's gentle touch

15.  Feeling my husband snuggled up on one side and my dogs snuggled up on the other when I wake up in the middle of the night.


Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.

~Margaret Thatcher


SATISFACTION

16  Setting a goal and reaching it, no matter how unimportant it may be to the rest of the world.

17. Knowing I have helped someone else find a small amount of peace in their life.

18. Watching my children choose to do the right thing... And knowing I have done my job.

19. Putting a smile on someone elses face.

20. Being there for someone in need, at the very moment they need it most.

21.  Facing fear head-on 

22. Doing the right thing always feels better than doing the easy thing.

23.  Taking just a few moments to speak to a stranger, and finding in them a new friend.

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
~Walt Disney

SIMPLE THINGS

24.  There is nothing like good food.

25. Starting a new book is like setting out on an adventure.

26. When my husband looks into my eyes, life is wonderful.

27.  My children give me these simple gifts, a painted rock, a carefully chosen flower, and those mean more to me than the world.

28. A few moments of silence after a long and hectic day.

29. Just saying "I love you."

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
~DR. Seuss

SMILE

30.  Newborn babies, they are so small and innocent and they smell so good! 

31.  Watching kittens and puppies play.

32. Watching my kids play. 

33.Singing Broadway tunes and watching my kids laugh at me.

34. Watching my dogs play with each other.

35. Writing something and knowing that people actually read it!

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
~Lou Holtz

NATURE
36.  Listening to the wind move through the trees.

37. Sunrises and sunsets.

38.  The way the air smells just before it rains.

39. Waking up to a fresh blanket of snow laid across the landscape, and not having to get out of bed.

40. Seeing the first flower of spring peeking it's head out of the ground.

41. Sleeping under the stars.

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

HOME

42.Quiet nights at home with my family.

43.Cooking on the grill, there is just something about cooking outside...

44.  The scent of fresh baked foods filling the air.

45. Watching my family accomplish something through teamwork.

46. Watching my kids all get along.

47. Spontaneous hugs!

48. Seeing my kids smile.

A place for everything, everything in its place.
~Benjamin Franklin

Phrases

49. "I love you mommy."

50. "Thank You."

51. "I really needed that."

52. "You are a good friend."

53.  "Thank you for listening."

54. "Thank you for being here."

I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.
~Florence Nightingale

Feelings

55. Being the first one in the shower after a week of camping.

56.Finally pulling the car into your driveway after a long road trip.

57.The first bite of a dinner that took all day to make.

58. Coming home to a dog that has missed you.

59. Waking up on a holiday morning with a house full of children.

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.~Gilbert K Chesterton

Things

60.  The companionship of friends and family.

61. Knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

62. Becoming part of the solution.

63. Finally finding your passion in life.

64.The ability to dream.



I know this...In My Life I will have times of joy and times of pain, but I will embrace it all because I am loving life!