Most people who know me (and, at this juncture, many people who don’t know me at all) have an inkling that I’ve got a lot of love for Instagram.
Getting my first touch-screen phone with a passable camera (which only happened last September – judge away!) made it possible for me jump on the bandwagon, and I’ve been a happy addict ever since. During a darkish time, it motivated me to find a bit of beauty in every single day – it got me outdoors in search of moments I didn’t just want to memorise, but play with and publish with a line that would remind me of what it really looked like, how it really felt.
Social media sometimes gets a bad rap. We’re saturated with images, memes, gifs… smart-ass comments, shares and over-shares… But you can’t deny that amongst the plethora of posts out there, some can be provoking. Some can be show-stopping. Some can reach out a hand and hold your heart, even lift it, spiral it to new heights.
Often, I’m in search of a smile. Often, I have one person in mind in whom I think a post might provoke that delightful lilt to the lips. And that makes sharing worth it for me. It’s not about courting your envy or inspiring your awe – it’s about inviting you in. It’s me shouting a greeting: I wish you were here. It’s beautiful. I wish you could see what I see.
So, since I’m back sharing here, I thought I’d invite you to smile at a recent, in-progress Instagram series of mine: Happiness is…
One thing to note: They’re not really pictures of snowboarders or mountains or lakes I’ve seen or book I’ve written. They are posts about passion. Whether with words or phone-photography, I’d love to provoke someone somewhere to find a moment of passionate engagement with something, with anything. A moment that makes them pause, that makes them smile, that makes them think: Happiness is… this.
Happiness is: Snow, sunshine, stories, and overhearing conversations that make you smile
Happiness is: Driving leisurely, singing loudly, pausing frequently.. because it’s so damn beautiful turning corners is a hazard
Happiness is: Crashing a roadtrip to ride new snow
Happiness is: Playing out of bounds
Happiness is: When you make the mountain your office and your snowboard your escape
Happiness is: Being published. Won’t ever get bored of seeing my novel on a bookshop shelf 🙂
Happiness is: When the cloud clears, and you remember you can fly
Happiness is: Snowboard on, earphones in, hangover gone
Happiness is: Riding to the beat of your racing heart
What is your happiness? Where is your happiness? Find it; treasure it; share it.
Follow me on Instagram: Sara Litchfield
I think you are one awesome lady! I enjoy this epic journey of you. I enjoy to see through your eye, that moment you have captured through your lens. A wonderful “peek-a-boo”. Love you heaps….I see you….xoxo
Thank you Ailey 🙂 lol I love playing peek-a-boo with a scene!
Great pictures! Via social media I’ve not only had the opportunity to learn more about the rest of the world, but I’ve experienced it through the eyes of others. You’re one of those. Thank you.
That’s what I love about social media – you can access other peoples’ worlds 🙂 I love seeing your pictures and reading about your walks and cycles… I have to get over that way some day and see for myself 🙂
I am LOVING your Instagram account 🙂
For me, happiness is my friends 🙂
Always, always.. They are the biggest happiness of all! I’m glad you enjoy – I love yours too!
Awwwh mine’s a bit eclectic, that’s for sure! Yours is just BEAUTIFUL and I’m so impressed by the vistas you capture.
Thank you 🙂 it just makes me so happy – all these magical moments filtered in a row!
Happiness is a warm room with a good book.
I’m certainly in no position to judge your late adapting to smart-phone technology: I have owned a grand total of two cellphones in my life, and neither is a smart-phone. (It would have been one cellphone, but they shut down the network.)
On the other hand, if I had a smart-phone I could potentially send you a picture of your book on my shelf: you sit between C.S. Lewis and Anne McCaffrey.
Wow, I’m keeping good company then 🙂 That’s lovely to know! I love your happiness too…
Ohhhh I love this post, Sara. 😀 For me, happiness is all kinds of things: a hot cup of tea, a good book, a day trip to Cape Cod, seeing the ocean and inhaling its scent, walking outside in nature, being with friends… and writing! Writing always equals happiness and fulfillment.
Thanks for taking the time to remind us of things that bring smiles to our faces and make us grateful for being alive.
Thanks Sara! I find happiness in all your things as well – save Cape Cod, but I’m sure I would 🙂
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