Monday, July 28, 2008

Hope Poll

I sent out an email on July 26, 2008, asking friends and family to make a list. I was just curious because in these days of austerity, cut backs, lay offs, sky rocketing gas prices and general corporate greed, it seemed like a nice idea to have a list of the small things that we all can 'afford'. " The list consisted of 'simple pleasures', things that we might do on a daily basis that give us joy, nothing extravagant or expensive. I wanted people to be frank, in other words, if they really enjoyed smelling the roses, great, but it had to be 'real' pleasure.

My list started out pretty small but after viewing some wonderful responses I decided to 'try' out some of the responses. So here's my amended list:

1. my first sip of coffee in the morning
2. swimming laps and breathing deeply
3. fresh berries on my cereal
4. checking my email messages first thing in the AM
5. reading the NY Times
6. reading The New Yorker magazine (sometimes I don't get to issues for months but I can always find a new article)
7. listening to my son try and figure out a song on the piano
8. dinner with my husband and kids (even if we have heated discussions)
9. getting an email from somebody I haven't heard from for a long time
10. walking to the ocean especially when it's early morning and the water is like 'glass'

So there have been many additions....thanks to friends and family. I'm hoping that I will get more idea from other people's lists.

Thanks,

Hope

16 comments:

Hope Poll said...

Smelling the flowers. (Ha! Making you laugh.)

Reading my People magazine every week.
in while he gets Spencer.
Having my family all together. (brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, etc.)
Listening to Wait Wait. (Not to copy you or anything.)
Still fitting in to a size 4 when I try on shorts or pants

Hope Poll said...

Taking a nice warm shower and bath after a good, hard run.
3. Eating anything chocolate.
4. Singing old Indian songs with my mom and dad

Hope Poll said...

Playing with my son
2. Getting ready for class
3. Going to jump rope practice
4. My bacon cheeseburger
5. Watching MSNBC!

Hope Poll said...

Hugs from my wife and kids, playing tennis, glass of wine, cup of coffee, sex, gardening and feeding my goldfish in our outdoor pond (in no particular order).

Hope Poll said...

1. Reading The Weekend Financial Times (it all about How to Spend It - I can dream, can't I?) on Saturday morning with a good cup of coffee and the day before me. Cost $2
2. Waxing and polishing my car while hanging out with friends (yes, I just did this yesterday and it was a blast, and I saved the $150 detailing fee, was reminded of my childhood instruction by my POP as to how to properly wash and polish a car....)
3. Taking pictures with my digital camera and then organizing them in to slide shows I can download to my iPod to show all my friend, whether they are interested or not!
4. Making movies on my computer from old family 16mm movies and then downloading them to a DVD or my iPod and showing them to my friends and anyone else who will watch! Priceless!
5. Making cold poached salmon covered with fish scales made of cucumber slivers for my friends. Time 8 minutes. Rewards, priceless entertainment and conversation with my friends.
6. Spending time with you, always a pleasure......

Hope Poll said...

taking a walk with the dogs
riding my bike
hearing a good joke
telling a good joke
being on stage

Hope Poll said...

coffee in the morning
doing my stretches in the morning
listening to npr in the morning
talking a walk... almost anytime
a glass of red wine
going to the movies
margarits if they're good
good food almost any time
spending time with my grandaughter
reading the nytimes op-ed page
reading the nytimes science page
going to bed at night...

Hope Poll said...

Berries on my cereal.
Reading the NY Times
Completing the NY Times crossword puzzle.
Hearing from my kids.
Cheese and crackers.
A nice glass of wine.
A bleu cheese burger.
Reading a good book.
xo, Maureen

Hope Poll said...

Saying hello to my babies with a big hugh and a kiss. Specially when my kiss is retributed with a real kiss from them.
2: Having a cuddle with any of the three closest people in my life.
2: A sunny day with nothing to do the rest of the day.
3: Driving fast in a sunny day with Beethoven FULL BLAST.

Hope Poll said...

what a lovely idea! From the top of my head here a a few succulent moments for me:
1. Watching Chase accomplish something new and miraculous
2. Drinking in the sight of a rainbow after a wild storm
3.Hearing a loud knocking sound coming from outside and discovering it's a woodpecker. I wonder if it's the same one from last year?
4. Getting an unexpected hank You

Hope Poll said...

So I'm thinking that as long as people are putting their lists out there we could have a few Dailures Recipes. Here's one for Naps (because people mentioned naps). A good nap needn't be complicated. All it takes is:
1. A cold or warm shower (depending on preferences for showers)
2. Clean sheets (or a hammock hanging between two shaded trees)
3. A cold glass or water or lemonade on the bedstand (or on the grass next to the hammock)
4. A cool breeze wafting through the windows (or from the leaves on the trees).
5. Night!

Hope Poll said...

Hi Hope,
Will WAY to LITTLE time on my hands, I apologize for the delay in responding to your Hope Poll. However, the very act of just THINKING about what gives me pleasure gives me hope, making the name of your poll appropriate!


ditto (see below)
ditto (see below)
Being with my dog
Hearing birds sing
Looking at the sky
A really good book / music
Stimulating conversation (with great people like you!)
jumping into my “jammies” after a long day

Unknown said...

watching a good movie

Hope Poll said...

Amy,

I agree with you...sometimes there's nothing better than watching a movie!

Hope Poll said...

I completely forgot something that gives me pleasure, without a doubt, every single day and that's MUSIC! I love classical, rock and roll, jazz and sometimes my husband's opera. What would life be without music?!

Darrell said...

My simple pleasures:
1. California winneries
2. Listening to Van Morrison
3. A well executed basketball assit
4. My wife's pasta primavera
5. Completing handyman jobs
6. Watching my son's changing height
7. Laughing with my brothers
8. Books on tape
9. The gym
10. A cold Kirin lager