Sometimes the smallest blackberries make me the happiest.
Blackberries hang outside my front door on overgrown vines. They are not cultivated and most of the year are considered noxious weeds. While picking, my eyes always focus on the big, juicy ones. This morning I felt disappointed that I couldn't see ones I consider "the best". As I visually roamed the bush, smaller, less appealing berries came into focus. I popped a few into my mouth and to my surprise they were very sweet. Quickly, I filled a basket and licked my fingers of the dark, sticky juice.
I feel conditioned to expect certain conditions of life to make me happy. Financial security, free time, uncomplicated relationships, are the big, juicy blackberries I look for first. The sun streaming through my window, a lovely note from my friend, or half a chocolate bar hidden in my purse, seem like ordinary things. At first glance, they are like the smaller, less appealing berries, hiding under the leaves. More numerous and just as sweet in the moment, these berries in my life bring just as much satisfaction. And, so many more fit into my bowl.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek him.
Psalms 22:26
I have been writing with the Five Minute Friday Group for two years and I really enjoy the talented writers who share their work. Would you like to join?
Thankful for life's little blackberries! Stopping by from FMF God bless, Amber
ReplyDeleteOhhh great post. I too, like Amber, am thankful for life's little berries! I'm in the 5 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteSo true that we can have fixed ideas about what will make us happy, but it is there to be found even in unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it just helps to name the things that make us happy, doesn't it? Happiness in the unexpected is as sweet as those berries!
ReplyDeleteExactly right. And the less-expected the joy, the sweeter it is.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, "Hagakure", the book that framed the Bushido code of the Samurai, can be translated as 'hidden by leaves'. The gist is that the pathway to honour and to the deepest joy is hidden behind the acceptance of mortality, and in embracing life by the moment. (If you're interested I wrote about it in my entry for last week's FMF 'Hidden', "The Hidden Song Of The Samurai", http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/07/your-dying-spouse-187-hidden-song-of.html)
This week I am at #1 in FMF
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/08/your-dying-spouse-190-mustard-seed-of.html
Thanks for that suggestion, Andrew. I'll investigate that.
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