Thursday 10 May 2012

Happiness is an Ironing Basket


I remember Kirsty Young talking to Chris Evans about happiness, how she’d been misquoted in the press and what she was really saying was that her ambition for her children wasn’t simply for them to be ‘happy’ per se. Life brings its challenges and striving simply to be ‘happy’ through everything, though an appealing goal, was one destined to fail. Kirsty said that to ‘know’ those fleeting moments of happiness, those moments when you just want to sigh and say, yeah, this is GREAT, to hold on to them and appreciate them, makes for more contentment. Hallelujah! I’ve been saying for years that you ‘have to be down to be up,’ and Kirsty’s given me a much more eloquent way to express it. So, that’s what I bring you this week: three fleeting, and not so fleeting, moments of happiness which made me stop and smile.

Bluebells. I turned a corner, and there they were. I stop for time or no man when I run, not, I hasten to add, because I’m incredibly fast, dedicated or even sticking to a training plan (try as I might to bring some discipline into my running, after ten years of the darned thing, I haven’t managed it yet). No, generally I’m on a tight schedule, have given myself a certain time slot which leaves five minutes at the end to get back into the house, make a cup of tea, shower, stretch, look at the post, chat to the neighbour…and be back at my desk. But, on this glorious Tuesday morning, I was compelled to pause, to recognise the almost artificially bluey-purple scene, appreciate how lucky I am to have this on my doorstep, and take a photo for posterity.

The second moment was the unveiling of the bottom of my ironing basket. In truth, this moment actually preceded the bluebells - I had to achieve the empty basket before I could allow myself the run - but I thought if I started with the ironing, those of you as keen as I am on the fetters of domesticity, might wander off.

Apart from that heady day over two decades ago when purchasing the wretched thing, I cannot remember every seeing this ironing basket empty. Most days I iron. I can’t bear to do it in one shift. But I always leave a few items languishing at the bottom of the basket, just to deny me the satisfaction of crossing the ironing off the to-do list. Not this day! It’s a simple thing, but it made me smile enough to reach for my camera again, even if it was the most transitory of my wafts of happiness, only lasting until the next instalment of misshapen clothes had been peeled from the radiator.

And now the third. This has given me more than a moment of satisfaction although the subsequent wait is bordering on torture, grateful as I, unequivocally, am.  From the general junk of my in-box trying to convince me that a 50% discount on false nails would make my life complete, as would a cut price holiday to somewhere very hot leaving tomorrow, together with the news that an EBay item has been re-listed and a company with far too much time on their hands are still harbouring the misapprehension that anyone other than my wonderful mother makes my curtains, the words, ‘Both your entries have been shortlisted’, greeted me one fine morning,

The First Chapter Competition is run by the Oxford Editors http://www.theoxfordeditors.co.uk, an international literary consultancy and agency, and I entered samples from Glass Houses and my current Work In Progress, Misguidance. The constant clicking on the website boasting no further news has caused me some distress, as well as a touch of arthritis in the clicking finger, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Shortlisting is great, a win would be a champagne moment and until the Fat Lady Sings, I can still dream, can’t I?

So, distract me! What are your fleeting moments of happiness? Please share!

23 comments:

  1. It's interesting that as Americans, we expect to be happy and we strive for it constantly. That isn't the case in other cultures as much. They embrace the ebb and flow of life and enjoy those moments you mentioned, Jackie. I'm glad you took time out to enjoy a few. :)

    As for the contest--CONGRATS!! Every victory should be celebrated in this difficult business. I say pop the bubbly now. If we sat around waiting to celebrate something GRAND, it may never come. One never knows. In your case, I hope there's another big one coming. :)

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  2. Congratulations on the short-listings!!

    I can totally relate to the bottom of the ironing basket feeling. For myself, recently, it was walking home from work on a really clear night and realising that I could see millions of stars. I stopped and looked up for a while, just the way you stopped for the bluebells.

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    1. Hi Annalisa, thanks for that, I can just imagine feeling compelled to stop and look at the stars, great moment. And I'm glad you understand me when I talk of empty ironing basket delight, it's a small thing and yet so monumentally huge (the concept, not the ironing pile - yet)
      Thanks for popping in and for the congrats, I'll keep you posted I'm sure :)

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  3. Thanks Heather, I hadn't really thought of the happiness question as a cultural thing but now you mention it, I see your point. There are pros and cons to every way of being aren't there. Striving for happiness has got to bring good results as I really do believe that life is what you make it, but I guess a reality check when the not so perfect moments happen, doesn't do any harm either.
    And thank you for the congrats :) You know, you're right. I have missed a trick. Normally I'm happy to celebrate at the slightest excuse and normally would have cracked open a bottle of fizz, perhaps not the real stuff, at this stage of proceedings. I'm not sure what happened this time... must put that right! Thanks for reading!

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  4. love it - I've said it before i meant it -keep em coming- your thoughts that is -just love it! Meanwhile happy moments ....when the sun's out,Children performing in a school concert,Friends being lovely when you're ill (neighbour bought me strawberries and criossants when we were incopassitated the other day), Surprise parties (held 2 recently -there's alot of big birthdays going around!) and family! will that do!

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  5. Awww, thanks Antonia, that's lovely :) Your happy moments are great, you are definitely someone who appreciates EVERYTHING in life and gets on with it when it's not going quite to plan so I'm not surprised that your happy list is of basic, every day things. Sorry you were ill, hope you're better now, there are parties to organise, things to do...

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  6. pulling up a dandelion and getting the whole goddamned root = happiness :))

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  7. He he! I can hear your conviction, Judith! Happy dandelion pulling to you :)

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  8. Hi Jackie,
    I'm with Tonia. Keep them coming.
    I too love to empty my ironing basket - usually in front of the telly. Strictly is good, 'cos you can iron through the blurb then watch the good bits. I only do it every 3 weeks or so, though.
    Also;
    Sunshine in the garden, sitting down to tea on a Friday with all the jobs done, glass of wine in the bath, curling up in bed with a good book in the evening, curling up in bed with a coffee in the morning, skype with daughter in Australia, zumba, tulips in bloom, newly mown lawn .......
    It's a great life.

    And congratulations. Waiting to hear the next installment.

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  9. Hi Pauline, thanks for that, it's sooo good to hear of happy readers:) Your list is great - I concur! Tulips are lovely aren't they, they're 'happy flowers' like gerberas, I think. Thanks for reading!

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  10. Oh joy - shortlisting! Congratulations; I hope you extended the happiness moment with plenty of chocolate, or wine, or whatever celebratory thing you do.

    I am privileged - I'm contented with my lot, my house and garden. And my wonderful grandchildren - so when my grandson crawled into bed with me and said, 'You are the best Grandma, Grandma.' That was one of the best feelings in the world.

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    1. Thanks Jo! It is very exciting and ummm, I'm not quite sure how, but we did miss the opportunity to celebrate when I got the news but worry not, we're cracking open some fizz tonight :)That's the good thing about not having heard the final results yet - it would be great if we got to celebrate twice wouldn't it, but let's not count those chickens! I can't believe you're a grandma - wow! And to be told your the best, well, that's just priceless, isn't it. Thanks for reading.

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  11. What a lovely blog, reading it gave me a happy moment! I loved the fact that it was so magical but not at all slushy in a "raindrops on roses" kind of way. Of course congratulations on the shortlisting it's great news and a fab achievement. I too love bluebell woods but as I actually like ironing I often see the bottom of the basket so it isn't a particularly significant moment for me. Sorry to be so boring.
    However if you want a list I can add sunshine in the garden, a smile from someone who loves you, a giggle with friends, ... I could go on but probably better not. Isn't interesting that none of us have mentioned anything that costs money!

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    1. Thanks Lyn (must remember never to write about 'raindrops on roses'!!). I was just thinking the same about everyone's happy moment lists, I feel quite buoyed that there are so many naturally happy people around - regardless of any recession. And maybe we wouldn't all appreciate the sun as much if we had it all the time? The gardens certainly wouldn't be as beautiful.
      Anyway, haven't you got some ironing to do?? Thanks for reading!

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  13. Congratulations on being shortlisted Jackie! That must definitely have been a heart-flipping, cartwheel of a moment! What is the prize if you win? How exciting!

    And yes, totally agree, little moments of unexpected joy are like natural pep pills! I had one today when I saw a goose just dandering down the road! :)

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    1. Thanks Lesley and yes, I was pretty excited! It's a small cash prize but also a discount on their editing service and as that's the reason I was over at their website in the first place (and then stumbled on the competition)that's very appealing.
      How cute, a goose wandering along! I can see why that would make you smile.
      Thanks for reading, hope your new blog's doing well, shall go and have a look right now.

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  14. Congrats on the short list - I'll cross my fingers for you! Happiness? Playing Fetch with my cat Gizmo and watching him juggle his catnip mouse score fairly high!

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    1. Thanks Mandy! I can't pretend to be a massive cat fan but even I can see how that would make you smile! I love the fact that everyone puts this kind of simple pleasure. Nobody's listed a big fat car or holiday... interesting. Don't get me wrong, I can do retail therapy with the best of them, I just think those kind of moment are a more fleeting satisfaction. Thanks for reading. How's writing?

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  15. Well done on the shortlist. Just clicked on the link and your name's up there.

    I recently became, according to my other half, far too excited that one of my tomato plants had started to flower.

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    1. That's great, Charlie. I suspect you've had a few other memorable moments with your crops, I know you like your garden:)
      Thanks for the support. Will keep you posted...

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  16. Massive congratulations on the shortlisting !! Fingers crossed for your champagne moment...
    Took me ages to think of my moments of happiness but I found when I started, they just kept coming.... a small selection...

    Hugs

    Unexpected acts of kindness - someone making you a cup of tea in bed or letting you skip forward in the supermarket queue when they see you've only 2 items and they have a trolley-full

    Freshly-washed bedding

    Nature - the sight of a deer/hare/red squirrel...so exciting

    Putting on an old coat and finding a fiver in the pocket.

    PS - I love Judith's dandelion comment !!!

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  17. Ah, thanks Hazel, I promise I'll keep you posted on the competition! I can imagine you can relate to Judith's dandelion comment and I bet you see deer etc. fairly frequently in your part of the world? I love your list. Unexpected acts of kindness are a great addition, it can be a really simple gesture can't it, but it just makes you think the world's an ok place to be. Thanks for dropping by!

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