100 Unmaterialistic Joys for A Bold Life


“Enjoy life, this is no dress rehearsal.” –
Unkown
Today is Magic Monday!Please add to my list of unmaterialistic joys.

 The commenter with the best list wins a Starbucks gift card!

In no particular order:

  1. Expressed love
  2. Being creative
  3. Feeling grateful
  4. Feeling exhilerated
  5. Sending and receiving thank you notes
  6. The smell of the lake, ocean or a pond on a hot summer day
  7. Catching fish
  8. A new hiking trail
  9. “Our song”
  10. A support group
  11. A morning run, walk or swim
  12. Children
  13. Being passionate
  14. Expressed emotions
  15. Intuitive action
  16. Making a new friend
  17. Reading your favorite blog
  18. Being in the zone
  19. An understanding look
  20. An unexpected phone call
  21. A good nights sleep
  22. A new baby
  23. Hugs & kisses
  24. Volunteering
  25. A great magazine in the waiting room
  26. A friendly face
  27. A walk in the rain
  28. Watching boys play baseball
  29. Watching girls play make believe
  30. Compassion
  31. Happy memories
  32. An old book
  33. A favorite realtiy show
  34. Coming home
  35. Tasting a new food
  36. Pets
  37. An old comfortable sweater
  38. Feeling safe
  39. A clean house
  40. Bird watching
  41. Gardening
  42. Being in nature
  43. Meditation
  44. The library
  45. Unexpected phone call, visits and texts
  46. Grandchildren
  47. A day at the beach
  48. An inside picnic
  49. A clean desk
  50. Friendly neighbors
  51. A good poem
  52. A new song
  53. Making others laugh or smile
  54. Being yourself
  55. A quiet mind
  56. Visiting elderly parents
  57. Freedom
  58. Expressed thoughtfulness
  59. Appreciation
  60. A clean car
  61. A day off
  62. Donating to a good cause
  63. Duct tape
  64. A light bulb moment
  65. A little help from my friends
  66. A gift card
  67. Learning something new
  68. Self acceptance
  69. A vision board
  70. Taking small steps forward
  71. Sea shells
  72. The ocean
  73. Dreams pursued
  74. Biking in new places
  75. Parties
  76. Sunrise
  77. Sunset
  78. A crossed off to do list
  79. A concert in the park
  80. Fireworks
  81. Going green
  82. Patience
  83. Cutting loose
  84. A favorite chair
  85. Worn out running shoes
  86. Sticky notes
  87. A pillow
  88. A bed
  89. Self love
  90. Self acceptance
  91. Practicing non-judgement
  92. Alone time
  93. Singing along to your favorite music
  94. Watching a road race
  95. The smell of squeaky clean kids
  96. Watching sports on a big screen TV
  97. 4th of July parades
  98. Making love
  99. Smells at the farmer’s market
  100. A bird’s new nest in spring

Please add to my list! Best one wins a Starbucks gift card!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Kristy June 14, 2009, 5:44 pm

    A great reminder about life’s pleasures and gifts that I often forget as I going about my daily ‘to do’ list. I might add: the smell of brewing my morning coffee, feeling my aching muscles after a fabulous workout, the thrill of crossing a finish line, a smile from a child, a back rub from my grandma, the birds chirping outside my window in the morning…..and of course, connecting via friends/family on Facebook!!

  • Positively Present June 14, 2009, 6:17 pm

    What a wonderful list! One of my favorite things is seeing my dog’s tail wagging when we’re playing. It’s so great to know she is so happy, and I cherish seeing that happiness reflected in her body language.

    Positively Present’s last blog post..words are my happy sounds

  • Julie June 14, 2009, 6:24 pm

    Love the list, and can relate to a lot of Kristy’s too! Planting flowers after a long winter and watching their beauty come alive, planting veggies and being able to go out to pick them for dinner! The sounds of summer with the windows open! Sheets dried outside, bringing them in and having the fresh smell liven the whole room! The beauty of a fresh snow in the moonlight, it just sparkles! ohhhh, the luxuries of life!

  • Lance June 14, 2009, 6:28 pm

    Hi Tess,
    What a great list to read through…reminds me that there are so many ways for us to experience joy – if we allow it.

    My additions:
    Building a snowman
    Laying in the grass on a spring day, soaking up the sun
    Climbing a tree
    Playing tag with my kids
    Sitting around a campfire on a cool evening

    Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day

  • jenn June 14, 2009, 6:32 pm

    Awesome lists and the add ons above this too! Some more of mine would be

    -hearing my kids enjoying the summer days (pool, running, tag, biking)
    -watching them play sports especially hockey
    -sipping a coffee on my deck in the spring mornings or fall mornings and summer!!!
    -sitting on the deck on a summer night just star gazing
    -crocs (shoes)
    -barefoot walking in the sand
    -picnics
    -snow showing through fresh snow
    -supper with friends
    -hot chocolate
    -campfires
    -reading before bed
    -scrapbooking (anytime lol)
    -sorting through photos (makes me really happy)
    -hot tubs on a nice night
    -glass of wine

    those are all things that make me go… I love life 🙂

    jenn’s last blog post..We made it…

  • Danielle L June 14, 2009, 6:50 pm

    Great list! I would add:
    -walking barefoot and feeling the earth
    -looking in the mirror and refraining from criticism
    -listening to the purr of a cat
    -singing into hairbrushes
    -seeing a butterfly flutter by
    -the sound of windchimes

  • Mary B Sheffield June 14, 2009, 7:11 pm

    Hi Tess ,
    The list is a something I need to print and read over and over ! So many Fantastic reasons to smile !
    My Favorites to add :
    -My children saying I Love you
    -A baby sighing as they sleep
    -The wind in my face
    -The sound of the waves as they hit the beach
    -Watching my big Bulky Husband at the minature table w/ a ladies fancy hat
    having a tea party w/ our Grand Friend Daughter !
    -Most of all Laughter 🙂
    Just thinking about all of lifes little Wispers of Happiness will bring a Treasure Hunt of looking for them in the days to come !
    Thanks Tess !
    Mary Beth

  • LisaNewton June 14, 2009, 7:59 pm

    What a list!!

    A few additions

    -sand squishing through my toes
    -my daughter’s smile
    -a pat on the back
    -a backrub
    -a free samples lunch
    -the smell of the rain
    -the memories evoked from a photo
    -free museum days
    -looking up at the sun through a palm tree
    -reading The Bold Life

    Ok, that’s all I can think of for now. Thanks, Tess, making me think.

    LisaNewton’s last blog post..Union Station – The Hub of Transport

  • Tess The Bold Life June 14, 2009, 8:26 pm

    OK Everyone! I have to address you all at once because I want to say the same thing to all: Your lists rock. Each joy mentioned can be added to my personal list. (I don’t have a dog so not that one)

    Reading them is thrilling. I can hear the baby sigh, I can smell the coffee, dried sheets outside, a snowman, the garden, being barefoot. And i think we are only touching the surface.

    Let the fun and joy continue…Happy Monday

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..100 Unmaterialistic Joys for A Bold Life

  • Giovanna Garcia June 14, 2009, 9:34 pm

    A great list of things to do here. I love so many of them…one hundred wonderful ways to live happen and empower our life. Thank you,
    I stumbled it so more people can enjoy this.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Giovanna Garcia
    Imperfect Action is better than No Action

    Giovanna Garcia’s last blog post..Can you talk a robber out of committing a crime?

  • Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com June 14, 2009, 10:39 pm

    12,13,14,22,54,55,91
    101 – good Belgium beer or Irish stout.

    Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com’s last blog post..Single Step Toward A Journey Of Thousand Blog Posts

  • Davina June 15, 2009, 12:41 am

    Great list Tess. I would add… the sound of snowflakes falling on a crisp, cold and sunny afternoon. Ever listened to that? They are so quiet, but you can actually hear them land 🙂

    Davina’s last blog post..Heads Up — Beware of Crows!

  • Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord June 15, 2009, 4:10 am

    I love your list, and the lists of those who have already commented! A couple additions (loved the wind chimes and a couple of Kristy’s, too):

    1. The smell of spring flowers — especially grape hyacinths and certain tulips
    2. Walking outside into the sun the day after an ice storm and seeing the world encased in melting, sparkly “glass”
    3. Getting or giving back scratches
    4. Hearing a cat or kitten purr
    5. Dreaming of people you love, and feeling as if you were truly with them
    6. (Wow… I just read Davina’s and now I’m almost wishing for winter again!)
    7. The smell of cookies baking
    8. The smell of my boyfriend’s skin
    9. Receiving unexpected money in the mail
    10. Meeting new & wonderful people via the blogosphere (like you!)

    Have a beautiful day!

    Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord’s last blog post..Those Who Remind Us

  • Hilary June 15, 2009, 4:25 am

    Hi Tess .. great list – I’ll be back with some ideas. Love everyone’s comments too ..
    thanks – you must have had a good break to compile the list!!
    here’s to your coloured chairs ..
    Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

    Hilary’s last blog post..Trooping the Colour

  • Meredith June 15, 2009, 5:50 am

    –Giving a loved one an unexpected gift
    –Finding hidden treasures at the library
    –Taking photographs
    –Coffee

  • gigigurl June 15, 2009, 7:17 am

    1. meeting your favorite rockstar
    2.dancing
    3.sex
    4 invisible understanding b/w 2 people

  • Tess The Bold Life June 15, 2009, 11:27 am

    Gio,
    It is so much joy just to read them another word for this list is of course appreciation and gratitude. Each one is a wonderful thing to be grateful for.

    Alik,

    On a hot summer day!

    Davina,
    Yes I think you can hear heaven as well on that perfect day.

    Joy Girl,
    I think we have a lot in common. Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad we finally met as well.

    Hillary,

    As soon as I got going it was difficult to stop. I forgot to add my happy chairs.

    Meredith,
    I love them all!

    gigigurl,
    Wow no. 4 is pretty powerful!

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..100 Unmaterialistic Joys for A Bold Life

  • simply stephen June 15, 2009, 11:52 am

    Tess, this article goes hand in hand with my posting this morning on “Taking Time to Smell the Roses” – wow, what synchronicity!

    Here’s some to add:

    write a song
    if you aren’t musical try a poem or story
    share a meal with
    smile at a child
    capture a memory with a photo
    tend to your garden
    take a walk – and yes, smell the roses along the way
    say hi to complete strangers
    engage in the things you are passionate about

    You want more….I got hundreds. The simplicity of life is what is beautiful about it. Will send this out to the twitterverse.

    simply stephen’s last blog post..Take Time To Smell The Roses

  • Amanda Linehan June 15, 2009, 6:13 pm

    Hi Tess – When we think about it, there are many things that bring us joy that we don’t have to pay for. It’s almost surprising. My additions:

    Feeling the sun on your skin
    Laughing with friends
    Going barefoot
    Getting into bed at night
    Running into an old friend (that you want to see!)

    Amanda Linehan’s last blog post..The Quick Guide To Meditation

  • Rowe June 15, 2009, 6:57 pm

    There are so many simple pleasures to be had, this is a great list. I love to stroll along with my 2 year old daughter, at her pace, stopping and starting to look at things, picking up a rock or a flower or two. Being quite the young independent, when she holds my hand as we walk, is a very special treat for me. I also like sitting in a cafe or cake shop with her, having a coffee and watching her enjoy a nice treat to eat.

    Rowe’s last blog post..Change The World

  • Patricia June 15, 2009, 7:48 pm

    evening bird song
    little salmon fry practicing jumping out of the water
    a dog’s smile on your walk
    the smell of a baby’s head
    appreciation

    lovely post Thank you

    Patricia’s last blog post..What is Marriage?

  • Daphne @ Joyful Days June 15, 2009, 9:35 pm

    Gosh Tess,

    There are so many great points here I’m getting giddy just reading your original 100 plus those in all the comments. If I did just one a day, it would take me half a year to perform all these actions!

    Daphne @ Joyful Days’s last blog post..Feng Shui Bonus: Enhance Your Love Life

  • Ashok June 15, 2009, 9:58 pm

    Its great to come accross your blog and for me it would have to be waking upto hear the waves hitting the shore!

    Ashok’s last blog post..Heartbreak chronicles

  • janice June 16, 2009, 3:41 am

    Thank you, Tess. This is a phenomenal post – the list plus all the wonderful comments you’ve inspired. I’m still feeling really ill after a weekend in bed (and a day overdoing it yesterday 🙁 and just reading these has lifted my spirits. I can’t think clearly enough to add many – it would fry my brain – but waking up feeling full of wellbeing after a good night’s sleep would have to be at the top of any of my lists right now. Although I try to be present and grateful for what I have, here’s what I’d love to be doing right now, instead of swigging soluble aspirin and typing in my dressing gown:

    Watching my kids sleeping safe and sound, happily exhausted after a whole day at the beach, my husband reading on a balcony overlooking the ocean, then smiling as he fills me a glass of red wine; we sit, breathing in the fragrance of sea breeze and and night scented jasmine, listening to the waves breaking on the shore, the ocean’s sleep breathing.

    janice’s last blog post..Birds, Bees and Blogging

  • Tess The Bold Life June 16, 2009, 6:27 am

    Simply Stephen,
    Thanks for spreading the word. You’re correct simplicity gets us every time.

    Amanda,
    I love getting in bed every nite. How could we leave that out!

    Rowe,
    2 year olds are filled with wonder and joy. Lucky you.

    Patricia,
    I got a visual of the salmon fry, how fun!

    Daphne,
    To think my post can make you feel giddy amazing!

    Ashok,
    So many things about nature get us all going!

    Janice,
    I’m hoping your feeling better today! I love the scene you painted.

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..100 Unmaterialistic Joys for A Bold Life

  • Hilda June 16, 2009, 10:56 am

    Wow, Tess, this is an amazing list!!! Between yours and everyone else’s there’s hardly anything listed that I wasn’t nodding along to.

    I would also add waking up early, not needing to get up yet and rolling over to get more zeds, and hugs from my cat (she comes up behind me, puts her paws around my neck and nuzzles my head – it’s unbelievably amazing!)

    Hilda’s last blog post..The A – Z of Happiness: C is for . . .

  • Liara Covert June 16, 2009, 6:12 pm

    -full, divine conscious awareness
    -service to others in the highest good
    -insight into unseen worlds
    -the impulse to help people anonymously
    -timeless inner knowing
    -dream messengers
    -uncondtional love & self-acceptance

    Liara Covert’s last blog post..Facilitate a dying wish

  • Karen June 18, 2009, 7:28 am

    Great list.
    I want to add three, although i’m sure I have another hundred:
    – the smell of freshly cut grass
    – the uninhibited laughter of children playing, especially outside in the summer
    – knowing my kids are making their own way in the world and that I brought them up right

  • Evita June 18, 2009, 11:04 am

    Excellent list and tips Tess!

    The big joy for a bold life for me is – consciousness! It makes all other things no matter how big or small purely blissful!

    Evita’s last blog post..The End Is Near – But The End Is Just A Beginning

  • Barb June 19, 2009, 11:19 am

    Participate, not anticpate. I learned this through a Spiritual Retreat called TEC, Together Encountering Christ.
    It is so true in all aspects of life. If you do things, like those listed above, you aren’t anticipating, so you are present to the moment, the joy. Otherwise, you may miss something very important, like life.

  • Heidi Zator June 23, 2009, 3:29 pm

    What a fabulous list. Here are some to add.

    Time with family
    Children laughing
    playing & walking dogs
    walk in the garden
    a beautiful rose
    a clean house

  • Women's Fancy Dress February 25, 2010, 8:23 am

    Certainly reminds me of what is beautiful without spending a penny!

    Great list and great post.

    Thanks!

  • Tabulyogang February 16, 2011, 9:35 pm

    Here are some to add

    Early morning breeze
    Favorite toothbrush
    comfortable shoes

    “In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy” -Albert Clarke

  • Universal Truth - Code 2 Live By February 28, 2011, 11:33 am

    I have enjoyed this list so much I put a link on my blog! I hope you are okay with that?

  • Elise March 1, 2011, 7:56 am

    I would have to add
    seeing the joy and understanding when a student understands something about themselves
    discussing social justice issues in an open setting
    volunteering my time with kids
    writing a mom an email about her son and how awesome he is
    Looking at my alarm and realizing there is still an hour left to sleep
    dancing with my roommates in the comfort of our apartment
    making a “gourmet” dinner…as far as gourmet and college go
    making connections worldwide
    whip cream on coffee
    writing down my crazy ideas in a dream journal
    LIFE IN GENERAL! Love this blog and list of things. It really makes me realize the small things to keep in mind. I wish more people would sit down and realize all there is in this life.
    Love and more love… -E

  • Karen S. Elliott April 26, 2011, 5:38 am

    Act goofy and encourage a giggle out of a grandchild.

  • Sparkle September 10, 2011, 8:01 am

    I love the list and all the adds! One of my personal favorites is open, unguarded access to the Inner Being/True Self of another.

  • Terry November 11, 2011, 1:20 am

    Hugging my dog…He’s my best friend.

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