Simple and Serene Living: FINDING SERENITY IN THE SIMPLE SOUNDS OF LIFE

FINDING SERENITY IN THE SIMPLE SOUNDS OF LIFE

The rain taps against my window panes, stirring memories of days long gone. Steamy days on a front porch where a cacophony rings in my ears. The squeak of an old metal glider. The slamming of the wooden screen door. The bickering of children playing card games as they complain of cheating. The sound of my mother's voice as she calls us to dinner. The rustle of my father's newspaper.

Simple pleasures come from the small moments in life, but we are so often looking towards the large moments that we fail to notice the smaller more pleasurable ones. The sounds of a child's laughter, an early morning bird song, the whisper of the wind through the trees, the sizzle of chicken frying in an iron skillet.

When I look back I remember big events like vacations, graduations, and giving birth to my children, but what I remember most from these events are the simple sounds of laughter on the beach, the cheers as mortar boards were thrown in the air, and the sweetest sound of all, my daughters' first cries.

Sometimes the nicest thing that we can do for ourselves is to sit quietly in the moment, close our eyes, and just listen to the sounds that surround us. When I close my eyes today, I can hear the cicadas in the trees, the swish of tires on the wet pavement, the whir of the ceiling fan above my head, and the rain hitting against my windows. These sounds calm me and bring serenity into my moment. The worries of the day slip away, and just like the memories I have of earlier times, I save this moment in my mind as a memory for a future day.

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P.S. This post is part of the Rewriting Life Series.
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Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowJuly 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM
A beautiful post, Laura. You have made me want fried chicken for lunch, lol !
Thinking back to the days of newspapers rustling and gliders squeaking I can also hear the ball game on the radio in my grandfather's room...
Cranberry MorningJuly 10, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Lovely post, Laura! Every day I try to specifically take notice of the many blessings we so often take for granted and so often overlook. All the things you mentioned are important to me too and I cherish those sounds of life and blessing. (Leaves rustling, robins chirping at 4:30 AM, dog snoring at my feet, water falling in our little stream, etc.)

Have a wonderful weekend.
Jemma@athomewithjemmaJuly 10, 2015 at 1:34 PM
This is beautiful, so touching, so true.
Xo
Jemma
LindaJuly 10, 2015 at 9:16 PM
So true! It's always the simple things that bring us so much comfort and contentment.
camp and cottage livingJuly 11, 2015 at 9:11 AM
Thank you for the reminder to take time in the simple pleasures of life.
SusanJuly 11, 2015 at 9:48 AM
That was a beautiful post, Laura. I loved it. Your writing brought such clear images. Have a wonderful Saturday. Susan
RURAL July 12, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Your post just takes me to moments that are serene and happily remembered. And it seems to have done that to many of your readers also...a beautifully written post Laura, I think you are onto something good here.

Jen
RURAL July 12, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Your post just takes me to moments that are serene and happily remembered. And it seems to have done that to many of your readers also...a beautifully written post Laura, I think you are onto something good here.

Jen
Cheryl @ TFDJuly 12, 2015 at 3:59 PM
I think you and I share many of the same simple pleasures in life. I appreciate them more and more every day. Sweet post, Laura.
MichelleJuly 12, 2015 at 8:56 PM
A wonderful post. It really is the simple things.