Monday, January 7, 2013

My "Happy" Scent


Blogging Friends.... I send a heartfelt "thank-you" for not only reading, but also commenting on last week's way-too-long Blog post. Wow. What an incredible community Blogville is!! I am so grateful for each and every one of you, dear Friends!! I promise to never compile another year-end Blog post such as that again!! You have my word....

Simple pleasures. Life is abundant of them, so long as you keep an open eye!! Simple pleasures are never expensive, like some elaborate Paris vacation. But, rather, they're small things which make a person feel deep, palpable, immeasurable happiness. One of those simple pleasures for me is the smell of vanilla. Candles. Soaps. Body wash. Lotion. There is something about the scent of vanilla for me that brings an immediate self-satisfactory cock-eyed smirk to my face!! It's so relaxing!! And, as has been freely expressed on Beautifully Unique, I have struggled mightily with happiness, plus self-acceptance regarding my learning disabilities. Thus, every simple pleasure counts!! For Christmas, I received not one, but two small identical bottles of vanilla-scented lotion!! One from my Mom. The other? From my sister-in law. And, with that, I have reached a self-discovery: the scent of vanilla makes me happy!! It boosts my mood. Literally!! I've been slathering this lotion all over my hands like strawberry jam on toast, and, just today I finished bottle number one!! Its sweet "vanilla sugar" scent is quite potent. Quite potent. I can wash my hands several times a day and it still remains!! Score!! Some of Rose's simple pleasures in life would, inevitably, be this. Lounging about lazily on the bed where I sleep, which she has long-ago claimed as "hers"!! Food!! Chasing selective squirrels out of our backyard, as she is seemingly choosy about which bushy-tailed rodent to dart after!! Food!! Spending one-on-one quality-time with her Mama!! Food!! Playing with her favorite dog toys, right now it being Lamb Chop. Did I mention food?! Now. I have far more simple pleasures than just the scent of vanilla, another one being quotes/and/or movie lines, plus uplifting messages. So. Along Beautifully Unique--mostly beneath Rose's pictures--are hidden "happy" messages, which were stolen from my 2013 wall calendar!! Such as: "All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Love grows a happy heart.". Plus. "A joyful heart is content in all things.". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Laughter makes the heart sing.". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Smile, happy looks good on you!". Mmmm.... I like that!! On January's calendar page: "There's room for every flower to bloom!". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Today is a good day to be happy.". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Live life happy!". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Spread your happy wishes!" Mmmm.... I like that!! "Live. Love. Laugh.". Mmmm.... I like that!! "Live a joyful life!". Mmmm.... I like that!! And, last, but not least, there is: "In Summer, the song sings itself.". I am thankful for life's little, simple pleasures!! Thankful for the happiness they bring!! Because, after all. Simple pleasures are gifts from God!!  

 

 

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes it is the little things. Peeps loves lavender. Or the smell of fresh pine. Little things indeed can make us happy. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Mary Lou said...

Molly....
Thank-you for commenting!!
Oh, I love the scent of lavender and fresh pine, as well!! ;op

Sketching with Dogs said...

It is amazing how the smell of things can make you feel happy. Just a nice bubble bath or a walk in the sunshine is enough to lift your spirits.
Lynne x

3 doxies said...

Oh my mum can sympathize withs you immensely. Her has struggled withs happiness and years of battling eatin' disorders so her does takes quite da pleasure in da little things dat make hers happy too. I knows dat is different than learnin' disabilities but it still falls along da lines pf self acceptance and confindence and what not. If it be a scent than why not. I feel sure there is research somewheres bout happiness and aromatherapy.

Wonderful post.
Thank you also fur thinkin' of me when I had my reaction last week.

Puddles

M said...

Happy New Year Raelyn and Rose!!!! I love the scent of vanilla too!!! actually it is my favorite and sends my mind into euphoric heaven. I even make my own vanilla extract and vanilla sugar for baking. I have another blog you may not know about that features homemade lotions, lip balm and such as well as how to make your own vanilla extract. here is a link, think you might enjoy this easy project- and it makes for wonderful gifts too. http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4126899037957317756#editor/target=post;postID=1687444349418666424

Ryker said...

Yup, it is the little things that make up the majority of our lives. So many opportunities to be joyful if we open ourself to the experience. Some of my simple pleasures are sleeping in, morning coffee, napping with Ryker and the cats. A simple game of Frisbee can be so enjoyable when I see the joy in Rykers face.
Keep looking at the bright side!

Mary Lou said...

Lynne....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"Just a nice bubble bath or a walk in the sunshine is enough to lift your spirits.". Those are good ones!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Puddles....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"Oh my mum can sympathize withs you immensely. Her has struggled withs happiness and years of battling eatin' disorders so her does takes quite da pleasure in da little things dat make hers happy too. I knows dat is different than learnin' disabilities but it still falls along da lines of self acceptance and confidence and what not.". I am sorry to learn about your Mum's eating disorder struggles!! I did not know!! :-(
Now. Learning disabilities and eating disorders may be different, but they both fall into the category of "life is hard". Correct? Oh, but life is also beautiful!! ;)
Give your Mum some wet, slobbery kisses from me will you? But not after deading any squirrels, of course!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;op

Mary Lou said...

Margeaux....
Thanks for the comment!!
Happy 2013 to you!! ;)
"(Vanilla) is my favorite (scent)and sends my mind into euphoric heaven.". Same here!! ;-D
You make your own vanilla extract and vanilla sugar for baking?! Neat!! ;-]
Thanks for the link!! I will need to check it out!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

RYKER....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"So many opportunities to be joyful if we open ourselves to the experience.". Well put!! ;)
"Some of my simple pleasures are sleeping in, morning coffee, napping with Ryker and the cats. A simple game of Frisbee can be so enjoyable when I see the joy in Ryker's face.". Those are good ones!! ;-D
"Keep looking at the bright side!"!! Excellent advice!! Thank-you.... ;op

Jan Mader said...

You are so right...it is the simple things..the little things...that are so special. At the end or our lives my guess would be that those simple little things become the big important things. Beautiful post.

Mary Lou said...

Jan Mader....
Thank-you for commenting!!
"At the end or our lives my guess would be that those simple little things become the big important things.". Mmmm.... I like that!! ;op

Remington said...

The simple things in life are the best!

Mary Lou said...

Remington.....
Thank-you for commenting!!
"The simple things in life are the best!"!! I wholeheartedly concur!! ;op