This month (August) I hosted a 14-Day Happiness Challenge. The call to action for Day 4 was to write down 5 things that make you happy and to share 1 thing with the group engaged in the challenge. I shared more than 5 and it inspired me to really look around my world and notice ALL the things that made me happy on that day. It inspired me to just keep adding to my list. The world throws curveballs everyday – some of them come in with a soft thud, but others land squarely in our laps; it’s nice to know that I control my happiness and how I respond to my environment. It’s easier to respond when I remind myself that “this too shall pass” and there are other things going on around me to be happy and grateful about. I encourage you to think about the things that make you happy. I know that my life is as good as I believe it to be. So, here’s a list of 100 things (in no particular order) that make me happy:
- Morning coffee
- Supper cooked for me
- Overflowing flowerpots
- No checkout lines
- Chocolate
- Clothes that aren’t tight
- Comfortable shoes
- Soft blankets
- Church
- Slow Sundays
- Antiquing
- Autumn
- Checking items off my to-do list
- Camping and road trips
- Living debt free
- Clean sheets
- Clean feet
- The smell of puppies and kittens
- Watching puppies and kittens play
- Reading
- Hearing “I Love You”
- Hugs
- Surprises in the mail
- Flowers
- Getting my hair cut
- Fall boots
- Hearing kids laugh
- Christmas lights
- A big bowl of popcorn with butter
- Meals with friends
- Makeup
- Warm clothes from the dryer
- A good hair day
- Birds chirping
- Bookstores
- Vacations
- A warm shower
- Smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
- Babies
- Holding hands
- Random acts of kindness
- Leaves falling from the trees
- Fall colors
- Old movies
- Alabama football
- Blue skies
- Listening to the sound of a river
- Christmas music
- Riding bikes
- Falling asleep to the sound of rain
- Trusting someone
- Crafting
- Cutting the grass
- Patio time
- Porch sitting
- Honesty
- Watching kids play
- Sitting by the fire pit on a cool evening in a campground
- Happy Hour (Peace Time)
- Friday afternoons
- Finding the perfect gift
- Handwritten notes
- Receiving a card in the mail
- Candles
- Listening to music
- The smell of cookies baking
- A new bag
- Entertaining family and friends
- Seeing the American flag waving in the breeze
- Catching all green lights during the morning/afternoon commute
- The first snowfall
- Hot chocolate in the winter
- Warm fuzzy socks
- Having quiet time in the morning
- Fresh manicure and pedicure
- Playing in the snow
- Going to bed early
- Purging clothes and items around the house
- Bacon
- Making lists
- Long weekends
- Opening a new book
- Seeing old friends
- Sweaters
- Playground swings
- Taking a walk with my spouse
- Sunshine
- Compliments
- Playing cribbage (or any board game)
- Feeling organized
- Having a clean desk
- Unplugging from technology
- Helping people
- Learning a new skill
- Setting a goal and achieving it
- Being proud of myself
- Loving myself
- Prayers
- Solving a problem
- Happiness lists
What is on YOUR list?