“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”
– Crowfoot

   One of my friends shared with me that every morning she writes down what she is grateful for that day. That got me to thinking about the little things that pass us by because we take them for granted.

   In a previous column, I talked about slowing down to notice the beauty around us. But what about really acknowledging the simple pleasures we are so blessed to have? 

   So many times we take so much for granted that we forget how wonderful a simple pleasure can be. Of course, a simple pleasure can be so different for all of us. One of my favorite simple pleasures is a hot cup of coffee that I didn’t have to make. My best friend’s daughters wake her up with a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Before her head lifts from the pillow, a fresh brewed cup is right there on her nightstand. I tried talking my daughter into doing that for me, but it didn’t seem to go over very well. For some reason, she couldn’t stop laughing. Hmmm.

   Health and fitness isn’t just about eating well or getting your workout. It also has to do so much with your mental well being. It is so easy to succumb to all the stress around us. Stress is just as harmful to us as is too many fatty burgers.

   Maybe I can persuade you to take a moment every day and make a note of the simple pleasures you are blessed to have. You don’t have to write them down, but do acknowledge them. 

   Here are a few of my simple pleasures:

   — Waking up before the alarm, feeling well rested.

   — Eating peanut butter on a spoon.

   — Warm sunshine.

   — Laughing so hard with my friends that I end up crying.

   — Quotes. 

   — Driving my Yellow Volkswagen Beetle.

   — Fresh baked cookies.

   — Afternoon naps.

   — Playing ball with Sissy, my Yorkie.

   — Getting a hand written letter/card in the mail that I didn’t expect.

   — Hugs.

   — Hearing an old song and remembering all the words.

   — Comfortable silence.

   — Clean sheets.

   — Fresh snow.

   — Encouraging notes from friends. 

   I’d love to hear of your simple pleasures. E-mail me at jazz_ee@comcast.net if you have something to share or have a health and fitness question.

JANET NEVILLS owns Ladies Fitness Zone in LaPorte, where she teaches Jazzercise, Pilates and Yoga. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer.