What Makes Me Happy

THE HAPPINESS FACTOR
What makes your eyes light up and your heart sing?
What makes you smile and laugh out loud?

These are just some of the things that bring me happiness:

• Quality time with people I love and care about
• My daughter’s happiness and well-being
• Being transparent and vulnerable
• Genuine character and personality
• The sun hitting my face and it’s warmth wrapping me up in a cocoon
• Green grass, green trees, green, green, green!
• The smell of the rain, playing in the rain, listening to the rain
• Bubble baths, Marc Cohn and candlelight
• Skinny dipping and waterfalls
• Lots of music and dancing!
• Fall colors and the feel of a crisp autumn breeze
• Massages with coconut oil or hot stones
• The sound of water ~ listening to the ocean waves crashing against the shore,
  the sound of a babbling brook or a stream, waterfalls, etc.
• Hugs, cuddling, kissing, holding hands, lots of consistent physical affection
• Camping, hiking and fishing
• Learning something new
• Campfires and laying under the stars
• Walking barefoot on beaches with white powder sand
• Exploring different cultures and new places
• Meeting new people and getting to love on everyone
• Saunas, jacuzzi, heated pools
• Being naked as much as possible, especially outdoors
•  No tan lines
• Fun times and great conversations
• My heating blanket and the feeling of my new sheets and comforter
• A great cup of coffee, hot black licorice tea, cold sweet ice tea, water with extra
  lemon, and sex on the beach liquor shots
• The smell of a freshly mowed lawn
• All things about having pets
• Wild animals and mother nature
• Not worrying about the basics such as a vehicle, food and rent
• The changing colors of a sunrise and sunset
• Rainbows and unicorns… no, seriously
• DIY projects
• Warm banana bread, lobster, crab legs
• Travel, travel and more travel!
• Having dreams, aspirations, and goals
• The ability to stay both busy and quiet 
• Taking pictures of everything, everywhere, at anytime
• Deep, intimate, soul-searching, heart-felt, mind-blowing, all exploring, completely
  vulnerable, simply transparent, intellectually stimulating conversations
• Cuddling on a soft rug in front of the fireplace
• Reading, writing, art, creativity
• Having a partner and being a mom
• Trampolines and swing sets
• Salt, cheese and chocolate
• Competition, playing sports, cards and games
• Making other people happy
• All things babies (yours, not mine)
• Adventures and exploring
• Driving aimlessly along deserted curvy roads… in a sports car
• Rock climbing and repelling
• Visiting the elderly
• Knowing I’m the first person on someone’s mind when they wake up and
  last person on their mind when they go to bed
• Serving and helping people
• Being a mom, taking care of my family and home
• A romantic day in bed (yes, the entire day!)
• Feeling beautiful inside and out
• Volunteering, giving back, paying it forward
• Watching my daughter grow and find her own way
• Hearing my daughter’s laughter and seeing her smile
• Chocolate, because it’s part of the female food pyramid and yes,
  I’m fully aware that it’s on here twice
• Recognizing the power of prayer
• Praise and worship
• Foot rubs
• Finding a purpose for our story
• Solitude in the wilderness
• Watching the moon light dance on the waves
• Window shopping
• Getting lost in a great book
• Movies, photography, art
• Writing and poetry
• Lots of romance!

Life is full of so many simple pleasures and making a list can help us recognize all the things that are positive, make us happy or that we’re grateful for. Most importantly is realizing that happiness is an attitude and a choice therefore, it can be found whenever and where ever it is sought :)

Take a few moments to think about the things that make you happy.
I’d love to hear what they are!?