Okay, I’m totally excited for this brand new feature here: The Little Bliss List! My word of the year is bliss, which is defined as perfect happiness and serene joy. To remind myself throughout the year of all the little ways I’m feeling-seeing-knowing-following bliss this year, I’m launching The Little Bliss List.
I’ll show you mine – will you show me yours? {chuckle-chuckle-snort} Every Friday here at Choosing Beauty, I’ll share a list of the bliss in my midst, reflecting on moments over the past week where I’ve caught myself in a sense of wonder, contentment, and true joy. It’s like a gratitude list, but rather than just being thankful for the things I have…I want to be thankful for the way I feel – even if it’s fleeting – and celebrate whatever brought me to that bliss. So, here’s this week’s list…
1. Whenever Tru and I are alone in the car, we STILL listen to our Christmas music CD. Love the way that little guy sings “Angels We Have Heard On High” at the top of his lungs!
2. The way students in my How To Build a Blog You Truly Love ecourse are connecting with each other, creating great content and cultivating joy is so amazing to watch. And the buzz around the course is so wonderful – so I’m extending registration through Sunday at 8pm central.
3. When Ryder got in the car after his second week of choir practice, he exclaimed, “THAT WAS SOOOO FUN!” Made my heart sing!
4. My friend Lori sent me some love notes via text when I was feeling a little low yesterday. Filled me up just when I needed it.
<—- 5. My tea spoke to me the other day: I didn’t even realize I needed this reminder till I read it and went, “ohhhh. right.”
6. That itty bitty frog in the photo above just makes me grin from ear to ear. We found him last summer by a water fountain; he was no bigger than half my thumb, but he had such a big personality! So darling.
So, what’s on your list, friends? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you to share your own list in the comment section. And let’s meet here every weekend to celebrate all the sweet stuff we find, okay? Starting next Friday, this will also become a Blog Hop for any bloggers who want to post their Little Bliss Lists on their own sites and share the link here. Can’t wait to celebrate your Little Bliss List, too!
I love this idea! So motivating and upbeat. Here’s my list this week:
1–I turned 40 and don’t have any grey hairs yet
2–Had 3 etsy sales, two from amazing new friends and one from someone I don’t know
3–I have the day off of work today–yay!
4–I started taking Business Soul Session e-course–another yay!
5–Tomorrow my hubby and daughter are having a “surprise” 40th dinner for me and friends and family at a fun Italian restaurant (clearly not a surprise anymore)!
Thanks for asking, Liv!
Jill
LOVE these, Jill! And happy, happy, blissful birthday to you!
1. A friend had $200 of her school debt paid by an anonymous donor. It wasn’t me, but it still lifts my spirits
2. My butternut squash soup recipe has gone viral around the office
3. Things are starting to come together
4. I have the cutest darn dog that ever there was. I can’t wait to go home tonight and pull his ears!
oh, to share in your friend’s bliss – how wonderful! and now i’m craving butternut squash soup.
Hi Liv, in all honesty your blog e-course BBTL has been my bliss this week. I had seen it advertised on “Kind Over Matter” and had wanted to take part, and then things conspired so that I could, even though I had to get started a bit late. Yesterday I started the “lessons” and already feel the change happening. I am scared, excited, curious and grateful to be taking part (Still working on Tuesday’s lesson of the first week!!!! This could take some time!!!). Thank you. Em
So glad you took that leap of faith, Emma! I know you’re going to soar. Thanks so much for the little love note.
1. I met a kindred spirit online this week. She found me via one of muy posts and we are teaming up and helping one another with projects dear to our hearts.
2. I’m discovering my blog’s purpose (Yay! Thank you Liv!)
3. Rain! Snow! Winter is finally here!
4. My jeans are feelin’ a little loose. Might actually have to go down a size!!!
My bliss list is pretty long right now – the highlights are:
1. moving is only a month away and I can’t wait.
2. I also can’t wait to spread my wings and be out of an unhealthy relationship (even though he is a really nice guy).
3. Grateful for the home I found my much-loved pup who has fully bonded in just a couple of days with his new mommy and had no moving angst even though he’s 7 and we’ve had him since he was the size of a pop can.
4. Love watching the sign ups come in for my How To Create and Engaging eCourse eCourse (I giggle every time I say that).
5. Enjoyed an awesome presentation (actually two) with Dr. Verna Price yesterday.
6. My daughter’s got a job!!
7. Loving the posts in the Build a Blog You Truly Love course.
8. Love creating in the Digital Art Journaling class I’m taking too!
Liv – I thought I would share my word for 2012 – Embrace. The things Embraced this week:
1. Exercise! 30 min. a day.
2. Quitting time at the office!
3. Me. I am what I am where I am. Love that.
4. Something new. 1st theatre audition since high school (cira 1970′s).
My hope is to build on looking forward, stepping out, seeing what is possible and embracing even the Gray … my hair.
First theatre audition in decades? You brave girl, you! Love it!
What a fun idea, Liv! And yay for the blog hop starting next week; I’ve been wishing for one that would be a good fit for my blog.
My bliss-full week is thanks to:
1. My mister getting the weight bearing precautions lifted on his new hip and leg yesterday, and the go ahead for out of the house physical therapy.
2. Finally starting to really get to the heart of my blog, thanks to you! BBTL the second time around is even better, and I’ve been digging into my blog consultation, also.
3. The serious energy happening in BBTL and the joy being spread is rocking my world!
4. My Ravens are in the play offs!
xo, Anita
What a lovely idea! My word for the year is Happiness which seems like a sibling of bliss for sure. Today I was blissful to be able to spend the entire rainy day in my pj’s with my daughter – feel so lucky and happy to be able to be a SAHM mom for a bit while she’s little.
(BBTL student) I love the feelings I am having in thinking about and planning my blog. I feel like I am so much more open to possibilities. I feel like this is a seed that has been growing in me for a year or two and I did not know it. It feels like forces bigger than me are encouraging this. I am so grateful for these feelings.
So wonderful to hear, Patti!
It’s been a long week, so it is nice to take an opportunity to look at some of the things that are blissful!
1. BBTL course! Of course!
2. Leaving the office a little early after a long week
3. My soft chenille blanket
4. Time to work on some of my E-course homework this weekend (I’m doing a couple and am a bit behind…)
5. My GLEE Showstoppers CD playing for the drive home
Life is good, even when it feels overwhelming. Thanks for providing a prompt to remember that!
Date night with my hubby.
Nothing beats sitting by the ocean with my piggies in the sand.
Hurty hugs and sloppy kisses by my kids.
A warm, chocolate lava cake with a cool, creamy dip of vanilla ice cream!
Quiet time in the morning with my coffee before anyone else is stirring.
The smell in the air before a warm summer rain–double points for a rainbow afterwards!
When you’ve crossed lots of things off the list and you feel good enough to relax and breathe it all in.
Life. Is. Good.
“Hurty hugs and sloppy kisses” – adore that!
Moments of bliss this week:
Catching up with one of my best friends and sharing a couple of belly laughs. I let go of some baggage that I’ve been carry around…blissfully lighter!
My Dad’s “We love you” tonight when we ended our phone call.
A love comment that my daughter left me on my FB page.
Both of my kids are coming home for the weekend.
Got a little choked up over you mentioning your dad’s “we love you.” So great that you notice the joy of hearing those words from him. I miss talking to my dad on the phone sooo much! Savor it.
Oh Liv, I love this! What a wonderful blissful gathering to look forward to each week. Thank you for sharing your bliss with us and for encouraging it to spread! I’m planning on highlighting this lovefest at my blog’s Spotlight feature tomorrow.
Now, on to my list…
1. Releasing the third issue of Sprout (online magazine), my beautiful dream that’s becoming more real by the day. Connections being made. Confirmation, validation, every day–that this is what I was born to do.
2. Recomitting to the gratitude practice, jotting down daily joys, even if I have to write one thing really big ’cause it’s all I can scrape up at the moment… because the next day’s page will overflow with blessings.
3. Coming off a serious case of the grumps, coming over here and finding this bright spot, the light you’ve shined and shared.
4. Gut-busting, so-intense-no-sound-came-out, doubled-over, tears-spilling-over laughter with my husband… pretty much the best thing ever.
And you know? That’s more than enough!
YES YES YES! Nothing like a good laugh attack. I’m so touched this was meaningful for you, enough so for you to share it on your blog with others. You are such a sweetheart!
I have so much gratitude for my life right now, but my Blissful moments of the week:
1. Snowtubing with my husband and three children Friday night. Yes, it was toe-numbing COLD, but we embraced it and it made my heart happy to watch their screaming, laughing faces going down those hills.
2. Feeling the love from my very first blog post (thanks to Liv’s BBTL course!!)
3. Having my father-in-law call and ask if he could take the kids for a sleep-over tonight so Drew and I can have a night out! Prohibition maybe!?
4. Seeing my son’s toothless smile. He lost both his two front teeth, and talks a little different now, but he is ADORABLE.
5. It calms and makes me happy to think back through the week for the moments of bliss. Thank you Liv for this inspiration!
Kari@HealthyCastles
Thanks for chiming in, Kari! Great list…and those toothless grins are the BEST!!!
Hi Liv!
Great idea!!! Here’s my bliss list from this cold (but warm-hearted) week in January:
1. Making the drive to spend time with my lovely family in Wisconsin…how can you not LOVE laughter and an all-you-can-eat Wisconsin fish fry?
2. Finally recovering from a nasty bout with the flu…funny enough, I feel rejuvenated after all that pain!
3. After coming home from work, seeing my dog experience pure joy and excitement when I return (jumping, smiling and making happy noises!)…it never gets old
Thanks LIV! xx
Thanks, Blair! Oh, there’s nothing like feeling better after being so sick – you suddenly appreciate every inch of your healthy body, right?!
Here’s that feature I mentioned: http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/2012/01/spread-some-bliss-spotlight-saturday.html
Hugs, kisses, gratitude for bringing more bliss and cheer into our lives!
Wonderful idea Liv! Thanks for letting us play along.
1. we had snow this week. it typically only snows once or twice a year here and i LOVE it. it’s so beautiful, serene, and bright!
2. i found the most beautiful desk that i can use for my art. it’s more than i even could think to ask for.
3. my easel is out of the basement (and next to my new desk) for the first time in….8 or 9?…years.
4. i got to experience the pleasure of seeing someone i care about submit 4.5 years worth of incredibly hard work and being able to do the same on behalf of someone else who has been working for 7 years.
5. have i mentioned the snow?? in my books that deserves two shout outs. it’s instant Januaryitis repellant.
your bliss makes my heart sing a little louder….thanks.
And for that contented little frog
which warms my own belly
just to look and grin:)
warm belly…..that’s my bliss just this moment.
-Jennifer
What a beautiful idea Liv. Thank you for making me pause and remember some of the good things that happened this week:
~ painting for the first time since completing November’s Art Every Day Month
~ realizing that I have the tools I need to turn a downward spiraling mood around and shift my energy into “happy”
~ writing my Morning Pages with the morning’s first cup of coffee in hand
~ cozying up with hubby and the dog to watch a movie
~ successfully testing some stuff for my blog’s mailing list, getting one step closer to actually setting it up!
~ working on a project with a friend at her kitchen table, witnessing the rich family life that fills her home
Stephanie : )
Great idea Liv! I am also taking the create a blog you truly love course and am learning so much. Thank you. On my bliss list for this week:
~Going for long walks with my daughter and having heart to heart chats.
~Puppy Lucy snuggling on my lap.
~Music at church that uplifted my soul.
~Sunlight, Lots of sunlight.
Blessings, Nancy
Liv having us think of our bliss during the week is wonderful.
1. I went to the Phoenix, and visited with my daughter and granddaughter. We went to the art museum and saw such inspiring beauty! Just what I needed!
2. I walked and walked with the sunshine wrapped around me. I am from Illinois where a snowstorm was taking place!
3. I spent a lot of time with myself and reflected on my life.
4. My 8 yr. old granddaughter told me how much she loved me. We spent the nights watching “house of Anubis” together.
5. I love the love I have for my grand children. I love life!!
I am often astounded by the wonder of nature. My husband and I are new to Santa Fe, NM and we went skiing in the mountains for the first time on Saturday. It was our first time every skiing on a mountain bigger than the hills in Minnesota. When we got to the top and got off the chair lift the view stole my breath away. At these very moments I feel so unbelievably blessed that I not only got to witness that beauty, but that I get to move to areas of the country that are new, exciting and beautiful. To me, this is what life is about.
My little bliss list:
My heart sang as my yoga students actually took their lessons they learned on their mat….applied it to their own life….AND THEN SHARED IT WITH OTHERS! YES!
Opportunity: So many opportunities to say YES to this week with out me seeking, searching, or scouring to find them. They just seemed to show up. YES!
Feeling “normal” again after a bout with a stomach bug – bug won. It’s amazing how good “normal” feels. YES!
Snuggled by the fireplace with my husband and daughters after the first real snow storm of the year. So cozy. YES!
Changed my word for the year from “create” to “YES”. Love that at any given moment we have the ability to change our minds on what doesn’t feel quite right. YES!
YES, YES, YES!
Liv… I have never seen you blog…Boy was I missing out! But thanks to Kristen Dudish I found you beacuse she posted about you on her blog! Love your idea of posting about your word each week.
My Bliss list so far this week:
1. Going on a getaway last weekend – still thinking about the ice fishing it was so fun!
2. Finding your blog last night! I am blissed out! And you live in Minnesota?! OMG! =)
3. Getting my hair chopped and colored last night! Love the new me!!! Lighter and brighter!
4. Going out on a dinner date with my husband on Monday night to a new restruant in uptown!
5. And of course I am always blissed out to see my golden retiever happily wagging every single time I walk in the door!
Love you and can’t wait to dive in to every single page here on your blog!
I’m in!
Nat
…count me in! Bliss is also my ‘word of the year’ – how funny
I wrote about what it meant to me a couple of weeks ago on my blog >>> http://gingerurchin.blogspot.com/2012/01/serendipity-word-from-dew-drop-inn.html <<< and am excited to discovering how following my bliss this year evolves
I was in a furniture store walking around and really missing my dad yesterday, he died three years ago of a rare brain disease and then out of nowhere his favorite song “Run Around Sue” came over piped in music. This is not the type of music that the store would usually play and it just made me so happy to think he was there with me, it was bliss.
The rain was blissful after our summer drought!
I will join you on Fridays to “see and tell” all that Bliss.