I had the day off work today which always lifts the spirits. Not that my job as a legal secretary in the city is joy-crushing, but I do enjoy having a week-day micro-break. It's great being out and about in the world when everyone else is at work and everything's open, instead of getting a quick, rushed bite on my lunch break.
Books again
I checked out the almost 168-year-old Athenaeum Library in the city for the first time today. Although it has modernised, it retains a cosy old world atmosphere with lots of dark timber bookshelves, an old telephone and a copper sign announcing subscriptions cost "one guinea per annum" (it's a private library). The library also provides free coffee and tea making facilities, which I think is very charming. I'm going to join (even though subscriptions are $65 now). I want to be part of the little book haven in the heart of the city.
Count yer blessings
I discovered a great happiness quote in my wanderings about the blogosphere today.
"Just think how happy you would be if you lost everything you have right now, and then got it back again." ~ Frances Rodman
I read it on Jungle of Life, a blog I have just found. The quote is very similar to another I like by Marcus Aurelius (the Roman emperor), which I read in the wonderful book Enough by John Naish.
"Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess and thankfully remember how you would crave them if they were not yours."
Two nice reminders to "count your blessings", as the fusty (but wise) admonition goes.And finally...
To my surprise, my private health insurance sprang for more than half of the cost of my two new pairs of glasses. Nice!
Do you belong to a library? Got any favourite happiness quotes to share? Or favourite quotes about anything really!
