What Are Your Simple Joys in Life?


Life is filled with simple joys, the little satisfying effects you never really anticipate, but always take great pleasure in. There are, and always will be, simple pleasures and feel-good moments that still naturally calm the mind and lift the spirits.
I have at least a couple handfuls of simple pleasures. But one sticks out to me the most, bicycle riding in in the countryside. I love taking to the rural roads and hillsides on my bike. Countryside cycling is tranquil and wonderful; beautiful views spread out before you, and fresh, crispy country air fills your lungs.
It's nice to look at nature and get a break from technology.   
I'm pretty fond of sheep for some reason.
I am learning to appreciate all the simple things around us and make every moment meaningful.
What are your simple pleasures in life? I'd love to hear. xx


85 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Simple joys: watching nature, drinking my coffee, writing, breathing.

Complicated joys: family and friends. :)

T

EG CameraGirl said...

My life is full of simple joys: family, gardening, reading, photography, nature, sunshine, the four seasons, friends... :)

tinajo said...

Family, photography, baking, my dog and cat, exercise, eating... So many things actually! :-)

Bossy Betty said...

I love looking around at all the simple joys that surround me. I am filled with gratitude each time I do!

MadSnapper said...

i love wandering the trails in the parks and preserves, with my camera of course, and sitting in the swing in the back yard watching the sun come up behind the trees, and snapping photos of flowers and trees and bugs and frogs in my yard. sitting on the park bench with peanuts for the squirrels and i love all critters with 4 legs, cows and horses, anything with fur.

Bitch said...

The landscape with the horse is very soft and calming...
And yes, walking in the nature and breathing the air (but, in the city?)..
Hugs from Monika

Lois Evensen said...

Such lovely images, especially the horse on the field of yellow.

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely images Betty.

RIZALENIO said...

Oh simple joys - smiles & kisses from my nieces & nephews, hugs from friends, walking on sunshine & everything about photography.

Have a nice day. :)

Mari-Pi-R said...

El ciclismo rural es todo una tranquila y maravilla, pasearse por los senderos, admirar la naturaleza y dejar las stress de la ciudad en el cesto.
Que tus paseos sean buenos y que pases un feliz día

Nevine Sultan said...

One of my simplest joys is the smell of freshly cut grass. Another is the sound of bumble bees buzzing around my lavender bush. Simple and sweet.

Have yourself a lovely week, my dearest Betty!

Warm hugs,
Nevine

wenn said...

I would just love to sit on my bed and watch tv..

Tertia said...

Reading, colouring,writing and listening to children's laughter.

TexWisGirl said...

that is beautiful. lovely scenes!

ΑΘΗΝΑ said...

Usually I get rest when I go to the theater.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

That first picture of the bike with basket would make a great book cover. My small pleasures ....... chocolate, a full moon, the rustling of leaves, freshly washed bedding.

moni said...

Dear Betty,
I love looking too around at all the simple joys that surround me. The little things are wonderful and our best friends♥
Great pics, lovely landscapes...
Greetings
moni

barbara l. hale said...

Wonderfully beautiful country scenes! Love them all!

Kelly said...

I would like to ride that bike down the path surrounded by green in the photo right below it!

I think sheep are cute, too, but take my serenity from watching the cows graze around here. Have you ever heard how LOUD it is to hear them ripping the grass from the ground when they're grazing??!! It's amazing and I love it!

Rui Pires - Olhar d'Ouro said...

Muito bonitas fotos!
Gostei imenso!
É sempre um prazer grande passar por aqui!
Beijos!

Sylvia K said...

So many joys in my life! My four children -- well, they're in their 40s, but still children to me!! My dog Sam Schnauzer, awesome views from my apartment, being close to the water, my love of photography and a great camera and fantastic blogging friends!! I love your captures for the day, Betty! The horse is probably my favorite because I'm a great horse lover! A lovely look at your world!! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

I like walking in nature, see the ocean, petting an animal into a cathedral and enjoy the silence ... the life that was inside. The song of a bird, the sprouting of a flower, the whistle of a bee, ants work, look at the sun, stars, moon ... many simple things
Hugs, Betty
Beautiful pictures.

Ms. A said...

I find joy in my grandchildren's laughter and satisfying sleep. The latter is rare, which is probably why I find joy in it, when it happens.

La sonrisa de Hiperion said...

De nuevo por tu casa, disfrutando de las fotos que nos dejas.

Saludos y un abrazo.

Lynn said...

Today it's the chickadees nesting on my back porch. The babies have hatched and mom and dad are working hard bringing them things to eat. I love working from home - that's one of the simple things I like, too.

imac said...

Mines Walking and Photography.

Betty Manousos said...

you guys are awesome!! you just reminded me of some very simple things that i forgot i loved.
in fact just reading these little joys of yours and thinking about these things made me really happy. xo

ritsa said...

I have a list about 8 yards long of little things that my son brings to me all the time!:-)

Leovi said...

I love these beautiful and exquisite photos. delicious colors, a good job.

Anonymous said...

Pictures are indeed wonderful a sight !

Well, to forget my mobil phone and be happy about it, while playing with my son on the playground.

Please have a good Wednesday.

Linda said...

Simple pleasures - being with my family and loved ones...speaking with my mom daily (she's 81 this year), waking up with all my faculties, and blogging! Have a great evening!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Hearing the dude giggle when he's delighted and feeling my lil' lady bean do somersaults in my tummy...Those are my simple joys!

Magia da Inês said...

Amei... fotografias maravilhosas!
°º✿
Boa continuação da semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
¸.•°`♥❤ ⊱╮

eileeninmd said...

Lovely shots of the countryside. Biking is a great simple pleasure. Mine would be hiking and birding or birding and hiking. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Lovely shots of the countryside. Biking is a great simple pleasure. Mine would be hiking and birding or birding and hiking. Have a great day!

ANRAFERA said...

This way she is Betty, the life is full of simple details that satisfy and make us happy. Nice photographies and place.
A cordial greeting.
Ramon

Anonymous said...

The simple pleasures are the best! Lovely shots.

SquirrelQueen said...

Simply beautiful images Betty.
I spent the afternoon at one of our local parks watching a family of Nene geese. The little ones were adorable. Nature is my favorite simple pleasure, it always has something new to offer.

geetlee said...

I completely agree! Mine would be curling up with a nice book to read. Heaven!

Betty Manousos said...

sylvia, i too like horses, because of their grace a and beauty:)

Betty Manousos said...

the simple joys in life continue to make me happy, but i hope i never lose the ability to love the little things in life.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

It is joy to watch you capturing these, especially the white horse ! I am sure, you were there observing the field for some time !

El rincón de Ceditas said...

Una delicia poder disfrutar de estas preciosas tomas.... Graciassss
Un abrazo

Blond Duck said...

I love being out in the country.

Hilary said...

What fun.. lovely country scenes. But I love that first bike image the best.

Willoughby said...

Your pictures are gorgeous, as they always are!

I have so many simple things I enjoy, most involve spending time with my family. This morning, I stood on my porch and watched the rising sun streaming through the just opening leaves on the trees. It was such a beautiful, simple pleasure.

anilkurup59 said...

Practical and wise to enjoy the things around.

A ride down the country road in your picture and through the woods , knowing the cool fresh air and drinking by the brook the cool crystal water.

Nancy said...

First let me say these captures of your journey through the countryside are very pretty -- so scenic.

For me -- I do what I can to enjoy the changes of the seasons with my camera around my farm. Little things that may often get unnoticed. :)

Craver Vii said...

I like to sit and talk to my dog or cat as if they understand normal speech. (I never do baby talk.) And it's cool when they come up to me and lay across my feet or on my lap as if to want to hear more.

I also love it when we're watching a movie at home, and my wife leans to rest against me one one side, and then one of my kids leans into me from the other side. They make me feel like a hero! It doesn't matter what we're watching; those simple, but genuine expressions of affection just make my day. :-)

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Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I adore the laughter of children, putterin' in my flower gardens talkin' to God, warm bubbly baths are the end of a hard day and the way Farm Boy's eyes light up when I walk into a room.

Beautiful pictures, beautiful post sweetie!!!

God bless ya and have yourself a sunshiny kinda day darlin'!!! :o)

Betty Manousos said...

nezzy, welcome on board! and thank you for saying that:) xo

Anaximandro said...

La bicicleta asociada a la campiña, nos remiten a una vida en contacto con la naturaleza, hoy más necesaria que nunca.
¿No tienes traductor en tu blog?
Cordiales saludos.

Patricia said...

Beautiful pictures. Nature is one of the simplest pleasures that brings me so deep inside myself - whether gardening or walking on a trail or even in the neighborhood. Another is waking to the sound of the birds greeting the new dawn. The full Moon, a rain storm, stopping in the middle of chaos and taking a deep breath.

Fer said...

Excelente entrada, un placer visitarte como siempre, un saludo...

Marijke said...

First I enjoy to see people smile and beeing happy. My bike is my everything and I love to go for a ride thrue the fields and see people running thrue the tulipfields. Smell the fragance of fresh baked bread in the morning, hear the birds singing when the sun is rising. Thanks Betty you always make me laugh. I think you have a very positive energy around you.
Tuliphugs marijke

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Hey sweetie, I just wanted to pop over and thank ya for visitin' with your sweet comment.

Please drop in often, the door of the Ponderosa is always open.

Enjoy your evenin' my friend! :o)

SandyCarlson said...

Stunners, all!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Betty, I can share all kinds of simple things NOW (sitting by the roaring fire in our fireplace, seeing a waterfall, hiking in the woods, seeing our flowers bloom, etc.)... BUT--when I was younger, I didn't take time to 'smell the roses'... I didn't appreciate the simple things like I do now...

Great photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

Reena said...

Simple joys ... walk in the woods, kayaking along the coastline, photographing birds, a glass of wine ....

dianne said...

Your photos are beautiful Betty dear, the cosmos flowers especially.
There are so many simple joys in life that I love and appreciate, I could make a list but there would not be enough space.
Hugs
xoxoxo ♡

diane b said...

Wonderful pictures. cycling down a country lane sounds fun. I love bushwalking and walking along the beach, having breakfast on the deck, reading in bed when its raining.

BlueShell said...

Oh that is simple: i like to ear the birds, to feel the rain, to walk all alone in the nature...I love to see the blue sky...to see the trees, the flowers, to hug little dogs or cats...and I love to ear The children' s laughter!....

You are finding simple and great things...
Nice.
BShell

Ioana-Carmen said...

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Fashionspot.ro

Blonde hair, Blue jeans said...

long walks! :)

George said...

I can understand the pleasure of riding a bicycle. I used to commute by bike when I was teaching. Now my main simple pleasures are hiking, gardening and photography.

I like your photos in this post.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Beautiful pictures! I prefer running over biking most days, but you do make it look fun!

DeniseinVA said...

Those pictures are all so pretty. I love them. One of my favorite sayings is that sometimes the simplest things are the best, a smile and the feeling you get when you make someone laugh, watching a parent's love for their child. These simple pleasures are the best.

Mandy said...

What lovely bicycle shots, especially the last one. And I love your nature shots too!

I like sitting alone in coffee shops and relaxing on the train at the end of a long day.

Georgia said...

Awesome pics!

One of my little pleasures is a delightful cup of coffee. There's nothing like a good cup of coffee in the morning;)

Leovi said...

Nice pictures, that of the sheep is pure poetry, like all, but the light of this is much more special. A hug.

michael said...

Beautiful pictures!
My simple joy would have to be looking at the sunrise. It's so relaxing;)

Magia da Inês said...

Amei o seu passeio e as lindas fotos.
Beijinhos.
Brasil
º°❤.✿°º╮

Liz Mays said...

I have to admit that biking in the countryside sounds absolutely amazing!

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Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Your bicycle rides sound as heavenly as your photography, Betty.

Blessings to you.
xoRobyn

Magic Moments said...

LOvely photos...My life is full of simple joy....my family... photography..friends and drinking my coffe every morning =D...Have a nice weekend

Cezar and Léia said...

Awesome images, thanks so much for this positive energy to our day!
hugs
Léia

Nancy said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely post at Rural Thursday this week Betty. xoxo

Rick said...

Love those bucolic scenes, Betty ! Fortunately I get to drive in the countryside everyday - we're lucky enough to live there.

Have a great weekend !

Crafty Green Poet said...

I can't ride a bike very well so my equivalent simple pleasure is walking in the countryside!

magda said...

Μπέττυ μου, σου ζητώ συγγνώμη που άργησα να έρθω, αλλά από την περασμένη εβδομάδα που ήταν το Ελληνικό Πάσχα, ήρθαν τα παιδιά μου και έφυγαν χθές.
Θαύμασα όλες τις αναρτήσεις σου που είναι πάντα προσεγμένες και ενδιαφέρουσες!
Φιλάκια πολλά

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Beautiful! Have a great trip!

Unknown said...

great captures, esp the ones with the horse as POI

Justinfnlv said...

Your pictures are gorgeous, as they always are! I have so many simple things I enjoy, most involve spending time with my family. This morning, I stood on my porch and watched the rising sun streaming through the just opening leaves on the trees. It was such a beautiful, simple pleasure.