It really is the small things in life, like having a big, well deserved breakfast after a three-mile run in Central Park, or reminding yourself during said run that the only thing that matters is the step you are about to take, and not the final destination. At times, you can see the finish line, but at others, due to twists and turns, you just have to enjoy the scenery and trust that you will make it if you keep pushing on.
It is like having no plans during a long weekend and letting life surprise you. It is like getting home after walking all day and finding out that the very loud, yet beautiful classical music flowing through the air is actually a free concert given by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. And so, you lay on the soft grass in the courtyard of a magnificent cathedral, allowing yourself to simply float off…
It is like being aware of how blessed you are, of how much you are surrounded by love, of how much you have been given. It is like those special moments when you truly master the “living in the now” and you feel whole, and accomplished, and yes, happy. Because happiness is not complicated. Happiness is not difficult. Happiness is, in fact, so simple, that if we were to stop more often to take a deep, long, relaxing breath, we would discover that it has been in our reach all along. It has always been right there, ready for our taking.
And yet, how many of you will read this and struggle with that concept? Do not fool yourselves into thinking that happiness is too intricate for our own understanding, or worse, unachievable. On the contrary. Learn to enjoy the small, simple things in life –yet not less majestic—and you will immediately notice the difference.
Who knows, you might actually feel… Happy.
Photo: Belén Alemán / New York City, New York, USA
belén/alemán 
Small things are the most important. Good text.
Thank you!
So, you inspired me to go through my old blogpost entries, and I think it’s funny what I found:
“I didn’t realize it. I didn’t know what was wrong. And with all the negativity I’m constantly surrounded with, no matter how I try to avoid it, that part of me eventually just grew comfortable in that hide-away. I see it now, and I think the reason I haven’t recovered fully is because, well, I’m still in this environment.
I am so tired! I’m so done! IT’S OUR SENIOR YEAR, SHEESH!!!! I am 17 (going to be 18 soon)… y estoy demasiada buena como para vivir tan jodia. I am NO where near I want to be… and I am only just starting to rediscover myself, as I dust off these layers I’ve hidden under for so long. People like to complicate their lives so much. And I mean, with all the crap we get from life naturally… daily… do you really think it necessary to add to the number of ridiculous hurdles we’re constantly having to jump over just to keep up with the pace of our life, which seems to be flying by? No thanks. I’m pulling out of that race…
Knowing that I’m here, that underneath it all, I’m still standing… is so reassuring. I’d lost sight of how amazing my life was, of all the good things I have going for me… of the person I am. My foundation was shaken big time, and it scared me like never before. But you know what I’ve actually learned? “What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger.” Mmm, I get it.
I’m here. I’m wobbly, I’m tired, I’m a little confused, and I’m so scared and hurt by the idea of having to let go soon…But even after all of that, I know that I’ll still be here…standing. In heels, in flip-flops, in running shoes… barefoot.
I’m out to dance barefoot. To dance on a limb, to dance like the entire world is watching.
I’m here to sing. To let the melody flow out of me with the sweet resonating sounds of a lullaby.
I’m here to play. To laugh and cry, and watch everything change as I continue to grow and evolve.
I’m here to love. To be smothered with it, and give it, and just feel it; with the good and bad.
I’m here to decide. To find my sense of right and wrong, and deal with the consequences.
I’m here to break the rules. To break out of that mold so many let themselves become prisoners of.
I’m here to write. To show you who I am. To tell you what I am about. To give you an inside look of this little girl’s heart and soul. To provide you with the entrance to all that is me. To demonstrate what passion really is.
I’m here to live. And if you have a problem with that,
deal with it. ”
<3 Nikki