Like most people, I can get caught up in the business and busy-ness of day to day life.  Paying the bills, getting to soccer practice on time, making sure homework assignments are turned in, keeping the house stocked with food – just getting from one day to the next can be overwhelming.  Life moves so quickly that it can be difficult to slow down and appreciate the small things in life.  Yet we know that being able to appreciate the small, positive things can help improve our mental health.

How does it work? Well, it’s easy for most of us to focus on things that are going wrong, shortcomings in ourselves and others or things we have yet to accomplish.  The problem is that when we focus of those sorts of things it doesn’t do much for our mood or sense of pleasure in life. When we focus on positive, joyful things however, we can get a much-needed break from the stressors of life – even if it’s just for a moment.

Some of my simple pleasures include:

The beauty of nature:

School spirit on display:

A delicious treat:

A cool photograph:

The funny things my kids say.

I recently discovered Campbell’s Wisest Kid in the Whole World tool.  It’s a clever widget that allows you to record the sweet and funny things your kids say and then share them throughout social media.

Check it out here:

Campbell’s widget can help us slow down and actually record all those cute, silly things our kids say.

While browsing the Campbell’s site, I also noticed all of their kid-friendly, simple recipes. Why do kids love cream of chicken soup? I have no idea.  But what I do know is that any recipe with it included is a hit in my house.

Check out this Chicken Taco Casserole. Yum:

What funny things do your kids say or eat? Be sure to record them for everyone to read at Campbell’s Wisest Kid in the Whole Wide World!