Thank you, Gurdeep, for calling attention to the bounty that surrounds us! I’ve always relished the fact that, at heart, I’m almost childishly easily amused—by squabbling squirrels at my bird feeders, the cheerful chirping of peeper frogs at twilight, a cabbage butterfly flitting among the foliage in my backyard, ice droplets sparkling off bare tree branches in winter. In fact, much of what I most enjoy cannot be purchased and yet is priceless.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sue! Your comment beautifully aligns with the message of the article, emphasizing that true joy often comes from experiences that can't be bought. It's a powerful reminder that the most precious things in life are often free and all around us, waiting to be noticed and appreciated.
I've thought about this a lot, and I think the constant awareness of injustice, oppression, war, disease, climate change, etc. keep me as an adult from experiencing simple joy. As a child I knew nothing of the sufferings of my fellow human beings. I was completely selfish.
Thank you so much for this timely message. It has brought me to tears,and has also brought me some peace. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety and lately,feelings of failure. I truly needed this reminder, and my need to refocus on things in my life and around me that are good and happy! This message brings me hope .
Gurdeep when we were children our minds were open books with blank pages ready to document our discoveries however small they were, they were new. We weren’t burdened by the responsibility of adulthood with its many expectations and responsibilities, there were none, only endless days of experiencing the wonders of having pure minds unadulterated by the harsh realities of life.
We viewed life with curiosity waiting gleefully for what was around the corner never expecting anything or thinking that we were entitled to have. I remember wading through tall grasses of over grown farmers fields and fruit orchards imagining I was an early explorer searching for new lands waiting for my next adventure and discoveries. I watched for wild animals and birds with wonderment, searched for unusual insects among the thickets hoping to discover a new species.
I remember ponds that were fed by cool rains that harboured rafts that someone had made and left docked for us to enjoy. There I was the captain of my ship casting off to find new worlds filled with unknowns that called to me.
We all grew up, forced to relinquish our dreams for a world that forced us to compete for our daily existence, fighting and scraping forced to accept the responsibilities that came with the cruel reality that was life.
I find joy in my memories of my youth and seek strength from new experiences of joy that really are derived from those memories that often put me back on course of what is and what always will be our fascinating world and the many new adventures that lie waiting for us to discover.
I enjoyed the latest post regarding finding joy in the simple things. I try to do this, and find myself with little dishes of interesting rocks, or colourful leaves secreted between the pages of my books, pressed and dried! I say I am going to do something crafty with them, but I find the gathering of them in the moment to be fulfilling as the crafts never seem to materialize!! ha ha
Thank you, Louise, for sharing your delightful experience! It's wonderful to hear how you've embraced finding joy in the simple things. Your habit of collecting interesting rocks and colourful leaves is a perfect example of appreciating life's small wonders. The fact that you find fulfillment in the act of gathering these natural treasures, rather than focusing on creating crafts with them, shows that you truly understand the essence of living in the moment.
Your approach aligns beautifully with the message of the post about rediscovering happiness in everyday moments. By collecting these small pieces of nature, you're creating your own personal museum of joyful memories. Each rock and leaf represents a moment of discovery and appreciation, which is far more valuable than any craft project could be.
Beautiful message Gurdeep. I have been following you for years and will be participating in your Dance for Joy in Creemore. Thank you for the meaningful work you do.
Thank you so much, Dana, for your kind words! I'm truly grateful for your long-standing support and am thrilled to hear you'll be joining us for Dance for Joy in Creemore.
The last time I moved I put almost all of my possessions in a storage unit while I found a permanent place to live and just took what I absolutely needed to the apartment I was living in. One day I was driving by the storage place and realized that if the earth opened up and swallowed everything I had there, I would actually miss almost none of it. That realization completely changed my attitude toward possessions. I can hold them lightly now and enjoy them without being obsessed with them.
I very much enjoy your posts and the videos always make me smile. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Steven, for sharing your insightful experience! It's wonderful to see how this epiphany has transformed your relationship with material things, allowing you to enjoy them without attachment. Your story is a perfect example of how we can find freedom and contentment by letting go of unnecessary attachments. It's inspiring to see how you've embraced a lighter approach to possessions, which likely opens up more space for appreciating life's simple joys.
I'm delighted to hear that the posts and videos bring a smile to your face. Your kind words and the sharing of your personal growth are greatly appreciated. Keep embracing those moments of joy and simplicity!
Thank you, Gurdeep, for calling attention to the bounty that surrounds us! I’ve always relished the fact that, at heart, I’m almost childishly easily amused—by squabbling squirrels at my bird feeders, the cheerful chirping of peeper frogs at twilight, a cabbage butterfly flitting among the foliage in my backyard, ice droplets sparkling off bare tree branches in winter. In fact, much of what I most enjoy cannot be purchased and yet is priceless.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sue! Your comment beautifully aligns with the message of the article, emphasizing that true joy often comes from experiences that can't be bought. It's a powerful reminder that the most precious things in life are often free and all around us, waiting to be noticed and appreciated.
You have retained your sense of childlike wonder!
I've thought about this a lot, and I think the constant awareness of injustice, oppression, war, disease, climate change, etc. keep me as an adult from experiencing simple joy. As a child I knew nothing of the sufferings of my fellow human beings. I was completely selfish.
Thank you so much for this timely message. It has brought me to tears,and has also brought me some peace. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety and lately,feelings of failure. I truly needed this reminder, and my need to refocus on things in my life and around me that are good and happy! This message brings me hope .
Hello Nadine, I am sending lots of love and positive vibes to you. I am glad the reminders were helpful to you. 🙏🏽
Gurdeep when we were children our minds were open books with blank pages ready to document our discoveries however small they were, they were new. We weren’t burdened by the responsibility of adulthood with its many expectations and responsibilities, there were none, only endless days of experiencing the wonders of having pure minds unadulterated by the harsh realities of life.
We viewed life with curiosity waiting gleefully for what was around the corner never expecting anything or thinking that we were entitled to have. I remember wading through tall grasses of over grown farmers fields and fruit orchards imagining I was an early explorer searching for new lands waiting for my next adventure and discoveries. I watched for wild animals and birds with wonderment, searched for unusual insects among the thickets hoping to discover a new species.
I remember ponds that were fed by cool rains that harboured rafts that someone had made and left docked for us to enjoy. There I was the captain of my ship casting off to find new worlds filled with unknowns that called to me.
We all grew up, forced to relinquish our dreams for a world that forced us to compete for our daily existence, fighting and scraping forced to accept the responsibilities that came with the cruel reality that was life.
I find joy in my memories of my youth and seek strength from new experiences of joy that really are derived from those memories that often put me back on course of what is and what always will be our fascinating world and the many new adventures that lie waiting for us to discover.
Thank you, Gurdeep, for generously sharing more of your profound wisdom. Your wise counsel reaches far and wide. 💙
Your beautifully expressed thoughts on joy reminded me of this poem by the Japanese monk Ryokan (1758-1831):
Blending with the wind,
Snow falls;
Blending with the snow,
The wind blows.
By the hearth
I stretch out my legs,
Idling my time away
Confined in this hut.
Counting the days,
I find that February, too,
Has come and gone
Like a dream.
I enjoyed the latest post regarding finding joy in the simple things. I try to do this, and find myself with little dishes of interesting rocks, or colourful leaves secreted between the pages of my books, pressed and dried! I say I am going to do something crafty with them, but I find the gathering of them in the moment to be fulfilling as the crafts never seem to materialize!! ha ha
Thank you, Louise, for sharing your delightful experience! It's wonderful to hear how you've embraced finding joy in the simple things. Your habit of collecting interesting rocks and colourful leaves is a perfect example of appreciating life's small wonders. The fact that you find fulfillment in the act of gathering these natural treasures, rather than focusing on creating crafts with them, shows that you truly understand the essence of living in the moment.
Your approach aligns beautifully with the message of the post about rediscovering happiness in everyday moments. By collecting these small pieces of nature, you're creating your own personal museum of joyful memories. Each rock and leaf represents a moment of discovery and appreciation, which is far more valuable than any craft project could be.
Listen or read, there is something to find here to bring you peace of mind and set you going on a familiar path.
Absolutely true, Mr. Thompson!
Beautiful message Gurdeep. I have been following you for years and will be participating in your Dance for Joy in Creemore. Thank you for the meaningful work you do.
Thank you so much, Dana, for your kind words! I'm truly grateful for your long-standing support and am thrilled to hear you'll be joining us for Dance for Joy in Creemore.
The last time I moved I put almost all of my possessions in a storage unit while I found a permanent place to live and just took what I absolutely needed to the apartment I was living in. One day I was driving by the storage place and realized that if the earth opened up and swallowed everything I had there, I would actually miss almost none of it. That realization completely changed my attitude toward possessions. I can hold them lightly now and enjoy them without being obsessed with them.
I very much enjoy your posts and the videos always make me smile. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Steven, for sharing your insightful experience! It's wonderful to see how this epiphany has transformed your relationship with material things, allowing you to enjoy them without attachment. Your story is a perfect example of how we can find freedom and contentment by letting go of unnecessary attachments. It's inspiring to see how you've embraced a lighter approach to possessions, which likely opens up more space for appreciating life's simple joys.
I'm delighted to hear that the posts and videos bring a smile to your face. Your kind words and the sharing of your personal growth are greatly appreciated. Keep embracing those moments of joy and simplicity!
As always, thank you,, Gurdeep! I very much enjoyed your video too!
Thank you.
You are welcome.
Thank you for the timely message!
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt
Absolutely true.