Episode 59: The Gentle Way Your Own Heart Has Changed
Church bells from the cathedral, cookie dough on the end of a silver spoon, the shortest line at the grocery store and the feeling of a life made whole by loving well and listening even better.
Hearing the sound of far off church bells from somewhere else in the city, their melodic chimes, relics of another time.
Sneaking just a little taste of cookie dough while baking a batch of cookies for a party.
When you find their old sweatshirt, and inhale the warm, homey scent of someone you know so well.
A crashing, vibrant waterfall at the end of a long hike, your own reward for hours of climbing through rocks and valleys.
Watching someone else take a picture of a sunset, their careful framing of the shot, their enjoyment of something so fleeting.
The warm, bustling energy of a 24 hour diner, right around 4am -- those heading off to work sharing a cup of coffee with those who’re finally heading home after a long shift.
A front porch that goes all the way around the entire house.
Finding something on the menu that seems made just for you, every one of your favorite things in a single dish.
Airplane mode on your phone, giving you the space to think, breathe, begin again.
When a sleeping dog sighs a big sigh of contentment.
Letting someone with only one item go ahead of you at the grocery store.
The electric feel of Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the evening, people crowded on balconies, tossing beads and laughing loudly as the crowds walk up and down.
The good problem of having too many books to read at once.
Ordering room service, allowing yourself something decadent, extravagant and delicious.
Finding out other people’s middle names.
When you begin to see ways of making life easier and better for the people you love. When this begins to come so easily to you that you don’t even have to think about it, it’s simply the sweet gentle way that your own heart has changed.
Happiness Spells Podcast is a five minute list of all the greatest pleasures and smallest joys in life. Increase your capacity for positivity, curiosity and gratitude. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
This episode of Happiness Spells was written, arranged, recorded and produced by Amanda Meyncke in Central Point, Oregon. Our music is by Chris Zabriskie.