Money

The simple pleasures that won’t cost you a thing

Jul 31, 2016

Finding the time to do the things you really need to get done can often be a challenge. You might wish there were more hours in the day, but how often have you just stopped and taken in the little things?

There have been and will continue to be moments in your life where you need to hold up so that you can embrace them. What’s best of all is that these simple pleasures cost not a thing. You will not have to worry about what impact there will be on your hip pocket, because there is none. Zip. Nada!

Here are the simple pleasures that won’t cost you a thing:

1. Watching a sunrise or sunset
No matter which one you catch, when you do see it a sunrise or sunset is a thing of beauty. You might prefer to see the sunrise because it’s the start of a new day and all the good that has to offer. But a sunset doesn’t just mean the end of the day, it is your opportunity to look back and reflect on all that you’ve accomplished (and if for some reason you are not satisfied, you have tomorrow to do something about it).

2. Holding someone’s hand
Reaching out and holding someone’s hand can be a sign of love and it can be a show of concern; letting someone know they are not alone in the world. It’s a silent symbol that you care and for the duration you are holding on you are connected with that other person.

You might prefer a good hug and that’s good too. Whether you’re wrapped in an embrace or your holding someone’s hand, there is something that allows you to centre your energy and deal with the challenges in front of you.

3. Listening to the world around you
Think of how blessed you are to have the gift of hearing. You don’t need to venture off into the wilderness to experience the beauty of the world around you. You can indulge doing something as simple as hanging out your washing in the backyard. Listen to the birds in the trees, children playing in neighbouring backyards, it might even be the sound of the coffee machine running through its motions in your kitchen.

4. Playing with your pet
Animals are funny things, but they are also loyal. They love your attention. Getting out and spending time with your pet is a nice way to remind us of our youthful side. You might talk to it differently, you might roll around on the grass or cuddle up on the couch. Your stress and anxiety can be reduced significantly when you spend time with an animal, so if you don’t have a pet of your own you might consider visiting your local pet rescue to see what volunteer opportunities exist.

5. Laughing loudly and without caution
A good belly laugh is good for you, but can you recall the last time you laughed out loud? Laughing so loudly you don’t care who hears you or what they think should definitely be on your list of ‘things to do’. There is lots around you that can stimulate laughter — you might have seen something on television, you might have watched a video on YouTube or the daily joke at Starts at 60 could have done more than tickle your funny bone.

The other wonderful thing about laughter is that you won’t be laughing alone for long. Others often join in because like a yawn or a smile, laughter is contagious.

6. Smiling
It’s one of the easiest and most special ways to communicate with someone. It’s often one of the first things you’ll notice about another person too — when you surprise a friend for their birthday, when you see your grandchildren coming down the garden path towards your front door, when your spouse or partner comes home after a day out.

However, it doesn’t have to be someone you know. Your smile deserves to be shared with strangers too — it’s a momentary connection, but it could have a lasting impact. Think of how a smile could affect the person who drives your bus or the lady who checks your groceries at the supermarket for example. If you get one back, what a bonus!

7. Sharing a memory or story
Taking the time to remember a moment or an experience you’ve had can flood your with wonderful emotions. Sometimes it’s not so much the detail that is important, but the opportunity to share that story or memory with someone else. This is especially important in the family setting when the sharing of stories and memories can ensure the family history gets passed on.

8. Telling someone ‘I love you’
Everyone needs to hear those three simple words. It can occasionally be difficult to say them and that’s because they carry so much power. It’s easy for you to think someone knows how you feel about them, but it’s so important you say those words to really let them know. No one ever gets tired of hearing how much someone loves them.