Winter has apparently decided to make one last ditch effort to assert itself. The sky is gray, the air has turned colder, and big, fat drops occasionally burst free of the clouds and mercilessly dive-bomb those below. Since weather like this can put me in a melancholy mood, I am resisting temptation and making a list of things that make me happy.
-sunrises
-sunsets
-chips and salsa with a good margarita (on the rocks, with salt)
-reading a good book on the shores of Lake Tahoe
-doing anything on the shores of Lake Tahoe
-watching the waves crash along the California coast
-playing Sorry with my boys
-wandering the aisles of Green Acres Nursery, marveling at all the beautiful plants
-listening to Keith Urban
-the fact that I once actually touched Keith Urban's hand
-freshly painted walls
-a purring cat on my lap
-weekend getaways with friends
-a good book, any time, anywhere
-hiking along beautiful trails
-unexpected kisses
-fresh flowers
-blue skies and warm sunshine
-rainbows
-good food
-fond memories
-holiday gatherings
-candlelight and sparkling glasses of wine
-long drives along twisty, mountain roads
-Disneyland (it is the Happiest Place on Earth, after all)
-holding hands
-a good night's sleep (I'm guessing on that one)
-Spring Break (still two weeks away!)
-furniture shopping
-dancing
-laughter
-quiet evenings with those I love
So, go ahead, Winter, stick around a little longer. It won't bother me. Even on the darkest days, happiness is all around, just waiting to be found.
What a great way to get yourself out of a funk. The weather here in NY is gray, gloomy, cold and snowy/rainy, and it does really put me in a funk. I think I'm going to go make a things that make me happy list in my notebook :) And wow Keith Urban - I'm a little jealous you touched his hand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the slice since I'm in a melancholy mood myself. I will have to use your form tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI love this list! This school year has been really hard for a number of reasons. I have also created some lists to help me focus on what is uplifiting, that slowly shifted my thinking.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when I just go an visit a kindergarten class, those kids are always happy! You can't help but feel great after a few minutes.
I love you list of things that make you happy. I do this too when I am feeling sad or stressed, and it always helps. I like the simple things on your list, like holding hands and laughter.
ReplyDeleteLove the list and my favorite lines are playing Sorry, chips and salsa with margarita, good book - favorites of mine too.
ReplyDeleteLove this list! So many small and big moments here (that could lead to their own slices!).
ReplyDeletewonderful post with a delightful list! I think you may have just inspired an upcoming post for me, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was feeling a little melancholy myself today. It was gray and cold, and rainy here in Pennsylvania today. I love making lists, so I may just have to try this later tonight.
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You will feel even happier when you start looking at your list and realizing what you can enjoy off it every day!
ReplyDeleteI love reading lists of what makes people happy...such an insight into who they are! I totally get the seasonal blues, too, so I feel ya. I hope the sun comes out and brings some zest back to you soon! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy you came up with this list. It's an inspiration, for sure, and a twist on a different Writing Strategy for kids: list the opposite of what you feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
PS.. i am also overjoyed (really) that you found a way to say to heck to winter, that you've had enough.
ReplyDelete.. another strategy to share in my own family. Having the blues doing a run through, too.
Thank you!
We so seldom have gray days where I live--they're one of my favorite things, though I never want too many of them. This is a really lovely post full of specific details and strong images. I am also always happy with a purring cat in a lap!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! It brightens the mood just to read through a list of happiness!
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