Top 9 Quirky Dollops of Happiness and Sunshine

Gifts, whatever the size or shape, seldom fail to put a smile on our face. I am not talking about the gifts that are destined for the ‘to be gifted’ heap the moment you set eyes on them. There should be law against anybody even thinking of them as a gift in the first place. We are focusing on the little specks of sunshine that life shines on us from time to time, which even the most ardent ‘return to store’ enthusiast cannot but like. Pleasant surprises and happy coincidences put us in a mood of benevolence towards our fellow breathers…yes, even the neighborhood grump! I am a simple person with simple needs (what I wish for is a totally different story 😉 ). And it doesn’t take much to make things turn rosy for me. Here are a few of my personal favourites for you to relish.

9 Simple Treats Infusing Happiness and Sunshine in Everyday Life

1. In Sync with the World (…or Something Similar):

   Have you ever had a song stuck in your head and just can’t stop humming it? Now, it has happened to me at least a couple of times that as I switched on the radio, it picked up that particular song at just the word I was humming (weird, huh?)! But it simply made my day, putting me in a jolly mood spreading joy left and right for the rest of the day. It obviously also jams the song securely in my head making people wince every time I pass them humming the song to death for the umpteenth time.

2. Random Memories:

   Sounds and smells have a way of triggering random memories that you never thought you would remember after a while. These little bits of our past refresh everything we saw and felt as if it were happening in realtime. Most of them leave us with a warm feeling of reassurance and nostalgia. All this might seem a bit heavy talk but I am sure you connect with me on this, right? Sometimes these memories make us hum (oh, no! here we go again) as we feel the awkwardness afresh which we squirmed through the last time. Most of these flashes from the past either make me thankful that I am out of it for good or just brighten my day with the happy feeling of having received an unexpected gift. All in all, it has a very secure place in my list of tiny rays of sunshine in my life.

3. Remembering your Dream (Not Nightmares):

   Dreams have a way of slipping through our hands as soon as we open our eyes. We get a feeling that something nice was going on and someone turned it off at the most interesting point, but for the life of us simply can’t remember what it was all about. It really gives me the pips and want to go back to sleep again. But, waking up from a good night’s sleep and remembering my dream makes me feel like a genius (I am a simple girl with simple taste, all right?). I don’t know what science has to say about sleep pattern, dreams, restful sleep and all that thingamajig, but it really starts my day on a good note.

4. Green Light at Every Crossing:

   It’s a luxury that only people running late and living in heavy traffic places can appreciate. Seeing traffic signals go sparkling green as far as your eyes can see, has a way of replacing your favorite color with green. It keeps you in good mood and humming (oh! I am stuck on humming) at least for some time. That is to say, until your boss or the next imbecile (fancy word for a not-so-fancy thought) ruins everything up. I don’t know why, but it also nudges me to make a mental note of going green (no…not with envy, jealousy or as in inexperienced) –  environmentally speaking. So, lush it up while it lasts – that’s my motto.

5. Hammock, Book and a Cup of Coffee:

   I feel like going all poetic on this one, so here goes nothing (please bear with me) –

   Oh, for the heavens above,

   If only I had leisure and peace enough

   To spend my day cuddled in a hammock

   Sipping coffee and reading a nice book that didn’t suck (?) ; )

   I think I should stick to prose if I do not wish to disgust people off. My plan for the perfect day would be snuggling down in a cuddly hammock with the much awaited new book and a cup of coffee. Nothing spells bliss and sunshine more than this…right? But, I have a feeling that I would need a lamp and personal genie for this to come true. However, on an odd day when I am able to touch this level of nirvana, it boosts me up before hitting gold again. I actually went ahead and had a decent hammock installed at home to inspire me every morning like a carrot in front of the mule (did I just call myself a mule? Well, whatever).

6. Tagged by a pup:

   Have you ever been stalked home by a gutsy little pup on a stroll out? A high point for animal lovers, being tagged home by a baby animal feels way heart warming than a 100 ‘likes’ on facebook by ‘friends’…who has 100 friends by the way? May be acquaintances and people you like, but friends…really? Isn’t it going a bit too far calling the person you met yesterday and added to your account, ‘friend’? Anyway, dragging myself back to the topic….if a pup insists on following me home ignoring all my dire warnings and threats of lawsuit, it really makes me feel privileged and pleased. I might get a bit vexed too, but considering all in all, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know a ray of sunshine when I see one and nothing is going to make me miss a good one shone by life on me.

7. Embarking on a Vacation:

   A lot may have changed from our childhood days but one thing that has remained constant for most of us is the joyful anticipation of a big vacation to come. For me, it still gets me as excited as I used to be while going away with my parents during summer breaks. I still count the days down and plan lot more than can be done, but it really makes the blissful mood of a vacation extend itself. The first day is truly a time when seemingly endless days of doing nothing or everything at once stretches before us. New experiences and places to be explored and enjoyed which make life look as full of sunshine as when we were kids. I know this can’t happen too often but one can surely wish.

8. Rain Washed Mountain Roads:

   I love rains, not the bleak heavy ones going on for eternity, but brisk intermittent drizzles that make the world around you seem freshly back from the dry cleaners. Rain washed (or drenched with sunshine…whichever you prefer) mountain roads simply beg for a hike or trek. Even scientific study backs up the mood pepping potentials of nature at it’s serene best. Well, whether seconded by studies or not, they have a nostalgic effect on me like something else might have for you. The bottom line being, anything which reminds us of the best time spent in our childhood – whether jumping in puddles or paragliding – have a real feel good factor about them, making the sun shine even on the bleakest of days.

9. Unexpected compliment:

   One doesn’t necessarily have to be at the receiving end every time to enjoy the little gifts of life. Why not offer someone an unexpected compliment and see their face light up? This always makes me feel smug at the end of an otherwise bleh day for having made the most of it. Even the officer writing you a ticket might cool down a notch or two when complimented on their hardiness in such an under-appreciated profession. It actually got us out of a ticket once, not bad huh? On a less selfish note, complimenting your lift attendant or the security guy at your place on their efficiency might just take a moment but spread sunshine on the rest of their day.

Making the most of what life has to offer and squeezing every day to its full potential are a couple of important things that help us feel alive. Doing this with a sparkle in your eyes makes the journey way more enjoyable. By the end of a year, I always like to feel that it was spent well regardless of having met any major goals or not.

Enjoying the journey makes achieving your goals seem all the more worthwhile

(click to tweet).

I may have started sounding a bit preachy here, but the truth remains that results lose their sheen pretty quick but the memories we earned along the way, stay with us forever. Whether you learn to enjoy the little things in your life or decide to create some of your own, do it – you truly deserve it. Enough of me, let us talk about what makes you go festive within. Do you prefer the random ones or those you create for yourself?

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