Writing & Living

Happiness IS

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen

The smell of freshly baked bread, taste of berries I picked from the wild, sound of my brother’s voice on the phone, a hug from my baby sister I wish I could spend more time with, sight of my fast-growing nephews and nieces are the happiness that is all my senses. Beauty of a pause, silence, me and my thoughts daydreaming, conversations with my fictional characters are the happiness I pour out on the paper. To be moved by music or muse in mundane places such as a grocery store is the happiness I’ll gladly serve as poetry for dinner. Autumn is happiness. Nature’s invitation to freely wander off the beaten track and go skinny-dipping. A rainy day is happiness of simply snuggling up on a sofa with my hubby as we binge watch our favourite series. Happiness is simple things, really, for this introverted soul.

note: A while ago, Natalie, the Hot Goddess, whose exuberant manner and unfiltered truth I admire, asked me and a few fellow bloggers, “What is happiness?” With her permission, I’m sharing my response here, too. If interested, you can read other responses by following the link above.

Welcome to my October! <3

p.s. Also linking to Writers’ Pantry at Poets and Storytellers United.

Project Finding Beauty

Reading is a Kind of Magic

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen 
In imaginary worlds, I am invincible.

backstory: I once saw Felicity Cloake at a restaurant, in Lyon. She and her friends sat at a table filled with bowls of pressed pig snout, soft pink sausage and tripe. I wondered if they had the stomach to eat all that, like the Lyonnais would do.

If you believed that story, welcome to the world of reading, my friend! 😀 A world where we can meet our favourite authors or spy on characters in their books. Tell me if that isn’t beauty!

The scene above is borrowed from a book, One More Croissant for the Road, I’m currently reading. But over to you, what imaginary world are you inhabiting, at present? 🙂

PS: If you’re undecided about your next read, I have a few suggestions. These books are by fellow writers, who also blog here: Ten by H. Hennenburg, and fresh from the printers is Duplicity by Rajani Radhakrishnan as well as Followers by Christina Bergling. I hope you do check them out. Happy Reading!

PPS: As always, linking to Writer’s Pantry at Poets and Storytellers United.

Project Finding Beauty

Colour of Clouds

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen 
Colour of clouds captures spectacular moments.

backstory: Besides that I love watching the sky and all magic that happens above my head, there’s a story behind the photo above. But this quote, “Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the while I am being carried across the sky by beautiful clouds.” captures its essence much better. Here’s the realization since I started Project Finding Beauty, it’s not always easy to find beauty but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.

And here’s a question for you: What specific beauty do you notice around you, today? 🙂

p.s. Also linking to Writers’ Pantry at Poets and Storytellers United.