Other Thoughts | BulgingButtons

Since originally posting about the small things in life that make me happy, I have been noticing them all over the place. This is a very good thing, as being mindful and finding the positives in life have a way of making life more pleasant and emotionally fuller.

In fact I’ve been mulling over these small things so much that I’m toying with the idea of making the small things a regular feature of the blog. While I wrestle with that momentous decision, I would like to offer you five more from the depths of my heart.

1. Blowing the fluff off a dandelion. Yes, I know these are weeds, and yes, I know that this is how you spread their seeds, but something about that whoosh of air releasing those soft white puffs into a million delicate paratroopers is just magical.

2. Pitching a penny into a fountain and making a wish. Growing up we NEVER did this. A penny saved is a penny earned, after all. However, taking the time to stop for a moment and give some thought to my wishes is worth more than the cost of the penny to me, and sharing that moment with my son is far more valuable than that.

3. The scent of lemons. It takes me right back to junior high school and Love’s Fresh Lemon fragrance. I never did like the Baby Soft scent, though.

4. Pop-up books. They are so clever and engaging and beg to be enjoyed again and again.

5. The text I get from my sweetheart each day telling me to have a good day and reminding me that he loves me. Each day it’s slightly different and he’s made up a million cute little names for me that are only used in those messages. They are silly and sweet and fun, and they just make me happy.

What small things make you happy? Surround yourself with happiness and maybe it will catch on.

I’ve just woken up from my second vivid dream, nightmare really, involving driving on the freeway. Ok, I’m listening. I will slow down. I will pay meticulous attention. I do not wish to live out either scenario, although the second is far preferable to the first.

Nightmare number 1: I’m driving along on a familiar freeway, in the middle lane, going south. My attention is diverted for a split second. I look up and there is a man standing by the driver’s door of his stalled white pickup truck directly in front of me. I’m going too fast. I wake up.

Nightmare number 2: I’m riding with my mother on an unfamiliar freeway (impossible, she doesn’t drive on freeways). In the middle distance I notice cars are having trouble with a high point in the road. As we get to this spot the minivan ahead of us goes airborn. We see the bottom of the van looming in front of us. They manage to land. Mom manages to stop without it hitting us. Both of us badly shaken, I talk her through pulling off to the side so nobody hits us. Nobody does. I tell her she saved our lives. The back of the minivan opens. There is a dog crate in the back and kids in the seats. I think everyone is ok. I wake up.

For me, this is the real stuff of nightmares. I don’t generally dream of monsters or aliens. Usually I have pleasant dreams, but sometimes I dream of the things I fear. I fear getting into a bad accident. I will be careful. I will listen to my dreams, even when they are awful.