Little joys

I thought of this when I noticed the tiny budding leaves of the Aparajita creeper growing in my house.

Somehow, this plant gives me a quiet kind of happiness.

Watching the fresh leaves emerge, noticing how quickly they grow when given space and the right environment — it feels reassuring. The leaves look so alive, so fresh.

When it blooms, the flowers add another layer of beauty.

Sometimes there are many at once; sometimes I wait for days, only to spot a single flower growing somewhere just out of my reach. And yet, that wait makes it no less special.

My liking for this plant has grown so much that I collect its seeds and offer to share them, hoping more people can experience the simple joy this creeper brings.

If I really think about it, there are so many moments when I want to focus on the good things around me, but my mind just doesn’t cooperate. And yet, something as small as a plant manages to gently pull me away from my usual thoughts.

How does something so simple do that?

And what other such little things bring me joy?

We often talk about practicing gratitude every day, but I feel we miss these small, readily available sources of happiness — the ones that don’t demand anything from us.

I am no gardening expert, but even this small act of observing a plant has become a quiet contributor to my sense of calm.

There are others too.

Looking up at the sky — sometimes clear, sometimes cloudy, sometimes just before a drizzle.

Those tiny droplets in the air, accompanied by a soft breeze, feel unmatched. No air conditioner can recreate that freshness.

As the rain grows heavier and the air cooler, there is a different kind of comfort — curling up in my own bed, wrapped in a cosy blanket, simply being.

The scent of wet soil is often talked about, but I also love how trees along the road look after a good shower. The droplets resting on their leaves, revealing countless shades of green, make everything appear freshly washed and alive.

I could go on.

And as I type this, I’m reminded of a popular saying:

The best things in life really do come for free. 😊