Recent Reflections - June 2020: Things That Make Me Smile

This is the sixth Recent Reflections post of 2020.  Recent Reflections goes live the third Friday or Saturday of each month.  Each Recent Reflections post covers something that I'm reflecting on.  If you'd like to share a post with a similar theme, feel free to leave a comment with a link to your post, and I'll hop on over and leave a comment (and maybe some other readers will, too).

This month, I will be reflecting on things that make me smile.

With all the COVID-19, rioting, etc. mess, it is easy to get disheartened and depressed.  So, today I decided to share some things (in no particular order) that help brighten my day a bit, and maybe they will help brighten yours.

1. Garfield comics.  This one in particular makes me smile.  

https://www.gocomics.com/garfield/2020/06/13

2. My family.  {This includes extended family, too!}  Whenever I need a hug or a good laugh, they always deliver.  Here's a family favorite picture of our silliness from a few years ago.  Enjoy!

3. Beautiful birds on my feeders.  I love birds, and they always make me smile.  Here's a picture from a few years ago when I had several birds at once.  Normally, I have goldfinches by the dozens, but I also see hummingbirds, tufted titmice, woodpeckers, blue jays, mourning doves, grosebeaks, chickadees, various types of sparrows, other types of finches and more.

4. My church family.  Whenever I feel down, my church family always encourages me.  They are amazing people.  {This is a picture of our church from a few years ago about this time of year.  We are a very patriotic bunch who loves our community.}

5. Nature walks.  I adore walking outside, especially in the woods or along the beach.  There is something about being in the beauty of God's creation that makes me feel at peace and blessed.  Here's 2 of my favorite pictures from two of my favorite places.

These aren't all the things that make me smile, but they are some of the ones that come to mind the quickest.  Today, if you can, do something that makes you smile.  If that's getting outside or spending time with family, do it!  Get off social media, turn off the news, and just take a mental break and enjoy something.  You won't regret it!

I truly hope this post has been a help to you, or at the least made you stop and think a little.

Maybe you want to share something in comments that God has done in your life recently to bless you as a means to be an encouragement to others during these trying and difficult times?  Feel free to do so.  Positivity and blessings are always welcome!  

What are you reflecting on?

Have a wonderful weekend!