Just before Karen died, she had been reading a book she received as a gift from JoAnn by Rodale Press for Hallmark. It was actually for both of us, but Karen was the reader in the family.

The book was 50 things that really matter.  She didn’t get through all 50 … her last chapter was 32. Ironically as I picked it up the other day and dusted it off, chapter 33 was “The Smell of a New Baby” — how fitting I rediscovered the book after experiencing the smell of not one but two babies over the past few weeks. I’ll get back to that.

Big homes, Luxury cars. Diamond bracelets. Digital TVs. Exotic vacations. Extravagant trips to the spa.

These days, we’re surrounded by such symbols of wealth. And if aren’t among the lucky few to enjoy these prizes, we feel left out, stressed, perhaps even unworthy or depressed.

Why?

These aren’t the things that really matter in life. Not by a long shot.

What matters most are the simple pleasures so abundant that we can all enjoy them; the plain values that define us as good people; the emotional connections with friends and family that fill our souls with a sense of purpose.

This book celebrates 50 of the simple things that really do matter in life. Within its pages are first person stories about the value of conversing over a good cup of coffee, the importance of hugs, the courage of living a simple life, the wisdom in a street musician’s words, the peace and relaxation in watching a candle flame.

I’m going to share some of these stories — the first person stories and my two cents worth — to encourage you, enlighten you and enrich your soul. But, most of all, I hope they may inspire you to see the real value in life.

After all, happiness doesn’t lie in the objects we gather around us. It lies within us. To find it, all we need do is open our eyes.

And to that I say, Amen!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Some minds are like concrete – all mixed up and permanently set.