Everyone bemoans Pinterest as the latest, greatest time suck. I joined months ago and, while I’ve certainly been known to get sucked into sites that offer great visuals and inspiring things, I actually don’t spend a ton of time on there. I do have a few boards that are my go-to happy places though, and they’re always good for a smile or some much-needed perspective.
So, using images from my Pinterest boards I offer you 5 things that make me smile:
1. Whimsy
There isn’t enough whimsy in this world, I say. It’s hard to be grumpy when you’re doing something whimsical, and I personally think it should be a mandatory element for all executive board meetings. Actually, all meetings. And dates. And workouts. We just need more whimsy.
I especially love companies that aren’t afraid to show their whimsical side. It gives them a personality and helps them connect with their customers as people instead of wallets. The other day I was driving behind a truck belonging to a local gardening company. It had a beautiful garden image on the back, at the top of which were the words, “Smile, you live in paradise!” I totally smiled.
Source: bellemaison23.com via Robin on Pinterest
2. Adventure
I love traveling, and I don’t do it nearly enough. (Speaking of wallets…) I love, love, love colourful houses. This is not generally something you see where I live (the bizarre green house with bright blue trim up the street notwithstanding) and I associate buildings like this with being somewhere else. And being somewhere else always reminds me that the world is so much bigger than my little sphere. That project at work I hate, my house in need of cleaning, my endless to-do list – they all cease to matter when I’m 4000 miles away.
I may not get to see them in person much, but pictures of colourful houses definitely make me smile.
3. Boat pictures
I love boats, but it’s boat pictures that make me smile. I’m always drawn to them, and have been for as long as I can remember. I have a small collection of boat pictures – scattered in various scrapbooks and frames around my house – that I’ve gathered in various places around the world. Kittens and puppies and babies are great – totally smile-worthy – but it’s boat pictures that turn me into a grinning fool.
Source: saraamesmontague on Flickr via Robin on Pinterest
4. Looking out over the ocean
I grew up near the ocean and it’s part of me. Standing on a quiet beach looking out over the ocean is one of the most peaceful things I know of, and yet I rarely do it deliberately. But on countless occasions I’ve found myself at the ocean’s edge thinking, “Right. This.”
We’re about to move away from our oceanside city to the mountain-dotted prairies. I literally get a lump in my throat when I think about not being near the ocean and my son not growing up with the beach experiences that formed my childhood, but the ocean will always be there and now maybe I’ll make special trips to stand before it. And I’m okay with this change because of #5…
5. Living a deliberate life.
The quote below is popular and you might have seen it. I love it so much I pinned it in various forms, and it got me through some very, very tough days.
We all have a life we want to live – the life we think we should be living – and yet how many of us can say we’re actually living that life? I did not anticipate some of the things that happened to me, things that were not part of the life I wanted to be living. But slowly, very slowly, I started to realize that maybe the life I’m meant to live isn’t what I thought. I came across this quote and there were days I just looked at it. Over and over. I let it start to filter through the noise of my resistance and started to ponder the implications.
I don’t know how to make it happen. I don’t even really know what it is. But, damn, I’m so absolutely jazzed about what might be waiting for me. So jazzed I’m willing to quit my job, sell my house, and move hundreds of miles away from what I know in order to find out. And even in my moments of sheer terror that makes me smile big.
So that’s what I’ll leave you with today: Figure out what’s missing in your life. Chase it. Catch it. Even if, for now, it’s just a picture to represent something you need more of.
Kiss your life. *
xo
Robin
*With thanks to Philip Bosman for the words.
What makes you smile?
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About Robin Farr
Love the colourful pictures, and what a great quote! A great one for all parents to remember as it truly is an unexpected adventure!
Bits of Bee recently posted..Bee, Interrupted
Oh, that applies so well to parenting. I hadn’t though of it that way – that, for me, is about something else. But that’s so true.
Reading all these things that make you smile, made me smile.
That quote is brilliant, and so true.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Things I Can’t Say
Yay, smiles all around
Gorgeous photos, and such a great set of smiles. I nodded along with them, especially whimsey and the ocean, oh and the quote. And the adventures. And the boat
Your life may not be the one you had pictured, but it is going to be amazing
Kindred spirits
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
Looking at the ocean makes me smile too. It’s a part of me. But that last one? So incredibly true.
Kimberly recently posted..Things That Make Me Smile
I love that you posted something similar today. Love it.
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
Oh the ocean.
What does it say that I love two things I could not possibly have lived further from while growing up: the ocean and the mountains?
And #5? So very true.
Kelly K @ Dances with Chaos recently posted..Five Things That Make Me Smile
How could you grow up near neither?! That seems so sad.
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
I grew up in Iowa, smack dab in the middle of the US. The Great Plains. No mountains without a 12 hour drive. The ocean meant a plane ride. I saw it for the first time at age 13 when we went to Disney World.
I never wanted to leave.
Kelly K @ Dances with Chaos recently posted..The Mommy Time Bomb
Oh, and thank you so much for featuring me!
Mommy Goo makes me smile too.
With this prompt, there are at least 20 things off the top of my head to make me smile.
Kelly K @ Dances with Chaos recently posted..Cross Dressing + Spicy = My Son
Thank you for this. You have made me smile!
I love intense color and I love the pictures you chose.
I grew up in the suburbs of London where houses (including my own) were generally filled with beige, brown and pastel colors.
In my early twenties, I spent time in South East and Central Asia. In Nepal I saw women working in the fields wearing layers of turquoise, pink, orange and red. It changed me forever.
Today, I write this at my orange, red and silver desk. I can glance over at my colorful couch and walk into my purple and silver kitchen.
My house beams with intense color. It makes me smile every day!
Tania Elfersy (@PurpleLeavesRed) recently posted..“Mompreneur” is My Business!
Tanya, that’s awesome! I want to see a picture of your desk. How great.
PS I have your book. Excited to read it. Read a review on another blogger’s site and am now especially excited.
I am loving the colorful, bright pictures!
They definitely make you smile!
Mama’s Introspect recently posted..Smiling is Good For The Soul
Thanks! As a collection they are especially happy.
Your message here is so inspiring, Robin. These were the things that come so naturally when we were children, but as we became adults, we often forgot to chase our dreams, to really live the kind of life we want, to have the courage to make the necessary changes. Thank you for the positive words!
Sweaty recently posted..Me, Interrupted (Being Enough Me)
You’re so right – we do lose this as we become adults. I often look at my son and wonder when I lost that unbridled joy. It was nice to get some of it back!
those pictures made SMILE…oh my goodness, those balloons, houses like I saw in Curaco and BOATS, I love ANYTHING nautical. I like to think that I am very aware of these things…that I smile at things like this, and remember to keep my head in the clouds…..because life looks awesome from there.
I LOVED this Robin…it was wonderful.
Kir recently posted..Just Be Enough: Make Me Smile
Thanks, Kir! Your comments are another thing that always, always make me smile. Quite literally. They’re wonderful!
Thanks for the Monday morning smiles
Happy to help.
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
Loved it and smiled my way through your whole post….
especially the last paragraph. I am so proud of you for initiating the chase. I’m in the same boat you are…and boy, the thrill of discovering the unknown is scary yet so smile-worthy!
Kelly recently posted..Be Enough Me: Five Things That Make Me Smile
Totally! And I’m excited for your journey too. Big stuff!
Gorgeous, Robin. Great images and even better advice!
Dwija {House Unseen} recently posted..Top 10 Tips for New Moms
Thanks, m’lady!
Those are great, Robin! And I have logged into Pinterst all of once. I know everyone loves it but I don’t have time for the latest, greatest timesuck.
That being said, I may have to check out your boards!
Natalie @ Mama Track recently posted..A Toddler’s Thoughts at Bedtime
I know. I think it’s totally fab and I do browse once in a while, but I just can’t spend a lot of time on there. Great for inspiration, though.
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
Love these pictures!!! So colorful and happy!
Leighann recently posted..Toddler Time – Not Bedtime
Aren’t they great? That’s why I pinned them to my happy board
Robin recently posted..5 Things That Make Me Smile
This whole post makes me smile! And some of those photos are certainly going to end up on my Colors that Inspire board. While I’ve read many just.be.enough posts since this began, this is my first time joining in. :> Thanks for starting this week off with a chesire grin!
Karen @ Time Crafted recently posted..5 Things that make me { Smile }
The colours are great – I think that’s why these ones in particular caught my eye. So glad you joined in!
The balloons made me smile too. Such beautiful photos and have always loved that quote. Great post
Krishann recently posted..Just Like Her Daddy
Thanks, Krishann! I really love that balloon photo.
Love this list. The ocean always makes me smile.
Jessica recently posted..From Sisters to Friends
Don’t you live in the desert?
I was so excited to write this blog! It’s extremely difficult to come up with ONLY five!
Thank you for the amazing blog. You’re all a constant inspiration.
Corinne recently posted..Five things that make me smile
Aw, that’s so nice Corinne. Thanks! And I know what you mean – only 5 is tough. That’s why I went this route – easier than trying to pick all the daily little things, you know?
I love Joseph Campbell and I love that picture of the houses! Thanks for making me smile tonight!
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Monday – Working with Teachers
I’m so glad! Helping bring a smile it a pretty good accomplishment for a day.
Robin recently posted..For Charity
I absolutely love that quote!! And your list made me smile especially the colorful houses.
jackie recently posted..Five things that make me smile
Im so grateful for this look into your mind and heart through pictures. I linked up another post, but want to do this prompt in a similar way, as Im a big fan of pinterest. I appreciate the inspiration too!
I’d love to see what you’d use!
Robin recently posted..For Charity
Chase it, how perfectly worded, Robin.
Chase it hard.
I loved this post, and I love how you’ve fought your way through this year.
I so love it.
Alexandra recently posted..How Do I Talk To My Body?
And I so love you for knowing that all this means.
Robin recently posted..For Charity
Standing in the surf looking out over the ocean always, ALWAYS makes me smile, too. And I do love me some fun and playful whimsy.
I love that quote. I need to remember that quote. I should probably pin that quote.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..10 Reasons Why Fall Makes Me Smile
It’s a great quote. It stopped me in my tracks and suddenly there was light.
Robin recently posted..For Charity
I LOVED this: “But, damn, I’m so absolutely jazzed about what might be waiting for me. So jazzed I’m willing to quit my job, sell my house, and move hundreds of miles away from what I know in order to find out. And even in my moments of sheer terror that makes me smile big.” So absolutely incredible that you are able to fully embrace all of that and see exactly what it is… you “Living a deliberate life.” I also love that part of this list. That quote is beautiful and moving. Your post was creative, unexpected and artistic. It really let me in to who you are and girl…. you have traveler screaming!!!!! Here is hoping you spend hours with the waves tickling your toes and a future time on a street with colorful houses!!! MWAH -Laverne
Kindred Adventures recently posted..Our Reasons To Smile
Thanks Robin. I’ve needed extra reasons to smile this week. Nice list.
I’ve never made my mind up about the ocean. I think, like boats, it symbolises freedom, but at the same time, there’s an immense unknown about it that freaks me out a little. But then, I am from mountain stock
I grew up less than an hour’s drive from the ocean, but far enough that going there was a rare treat. We didn’t live in actual mountains, but far enough into the hills that we were well out of the floods that the nearby town experienced semi-regularly. Hills are a comfort for me. But there’s just something about the ocean too.
Margaret (mammacockatoo) recently posted..Oooh! Shiny! (or, What did you do today?)
I think we’re comforted by whatever environment feels like home. At least that seems to be the case for me.
Robin recently posted..For Charity
Lovely post, Robin! Loved your final words about living a deliberate life. Very inspirational, thank-you!
Congratulations on being featured on Oprah’s Life Lift. Wow!
Good luck with your relocation. Will we be close to each other after the move?
Cookie’s Mom recently posted..Ten Tips for New Moms
Thanks so much! That was a very exciting part to the week.
Robin recently posted..For Charity
This just made me happy all over!
I’m so glad.
“Kiss your life”…what a simple but incredibly profound quote. LOVED your list. (just the word whimsy and colourful houses make me smile too)
January recently posted..Craftery from an Uncrafty Mother Part Deux – Hallowe’en
Isn’t that a great phrase? Glad you liked the post!
Great pictures. I like that quote but I have a hard time with it also. I grew up with the idea of planning and training and practicing to have the things you want in life. But not everything is plan, train, or practicablle. It is hard to accept th idea that I have to stop trying to force things to happen in my life. But at the same time plan for my future. Nice post.
Chasing Joy recently posted..The Joy of Online Dating
Hello,
this is my first visit. I found your post while I was checking something on Google ( I have one post with similar title).
I like your choice very much , these things can really make a person feel better.
After all, who would not enjoy while sitting buy the ocean…
Will visit more often from now on. Have a nice week.
Daca recently posted..Lipstick vs. Lip gloss | How do you prefer it?!
Hi Robin, this is an inspiration. We spend far too much of our lives infront of a computer staring into dullness! It is good to get out, have a laugh and enjoy the miracle of nature and basically just escape life from time to time. Good post with some good ideas.
Cheers,
Aron
Aron recently posted..Paleo Diet Success