The Simple Things in Life

I’ve had a busy work schedule and have wanted to blog more but it’s been a little challenging.  I recently found The Simply Luxurious Life's Blog and have been so inspired.  I am a quote fanatic (I’ve kept a quote journal for years) and she always has great words of wisdom and fabulous quotes.  Recently I have taken a step back and tried to regroup and really look at my life, where I’m going, what I want to do, and how I want to live my life.  It just so happened when I found Shannon’s blog, I was doing a lot of reflection.  It was like each post spoke to me.  Not only are her blog entries inspiring, she has a beautiful writing style.   Writing for me equals anxiety.  I’ve always loved those writers that conjure these beautiful images in your head with their creative writing style.  With that being said, I think sometimes we all need to step back from the craziness of our lives and really take a look around us and enjoy the simple things in life. 

I created this list a number of years ago and add to it periodically.  I keep it near my desk to refer to it periodically as it always makes me smile.  I got inspired to share with you my list with you.  I encourage all of you to make your own list, I think you might surprise yourself!  What makes you happy?

 

Things that Make Me Happy

1. Rainy Days
2. Thunder and Lightning Storms
3. Catching Lightning Bugs
4. The Smell of Fresh Cut Grass    
5. Shuffling my Feet through the Fall Leaves
6. Smell of Fresh Coffee in the Morning
7. Lattes from Starbucks
8. A Buttery Glass of Chardonnay
9. Driving a Fast Car that Handles Well
10. Looking at the Stars on a Clear Night
11. A Full Moon over the Ocean
12. California Sunsets Especially in the Winter
13. The Feeling you get when you Help Somebody
14. Reading an old Love letter 
15. Running into an old Boyfriend When I'm Skinny
16. Having a Good Hair Day
17. A Big Fuzzy Sweater on a Cold Day
18. Watching the Snow Fall at Night under the Lights
19. Snow Covered Trees
20. Decorating the Christmas Tree
21. A Very Dry Spicy Full Bodied Glass of Cabernet
22. The Feeling of Accomplishment
23. Somebody Telling Me I Did a Great Job
24. Reading a Good Book
25. Wearing my Burberry Scarf
26. Eating Crab at Crustacean
27. The Way the House Looks Right after it's been Cleaned
28. Snuggling with My Significant Other
29. Getting a Handwritten Note in the Mail
30. Candles burning Anytime Anywhere
31. Fresh cut Flowers in a Jam Jar 
32. Finishing a Long Run
33. Giggling with my Girlfriends
34. Being Independent and Spending Time Alone
35. Talking to Elderly People and Hearing their Stories
36. Meeting New People
37. Learning New Cultures
38. Homemade Ravioli and Polenta – Grandma Style
39. Falling In Love
40. Butterflies in Your Stomach the First Time You Kiss
41. Laughing so Hard your Sides Hurt
42. Knowing Something that No one Knows
43. Doing Something Spontaneous and Having A Ball
44. A Man in a Pair of Levis, White Tee Shirt and Hat on Backwards
45. A Man in a Suit in a Nice Pair of Shoes 
46. Closing a Large account that I worked hard on!
47. Smell of a man wearing cologne
48. Dreaming
49. Traveling to a Place You've Never Been  
50. Finding a Good Bargain Wherever it May Be
51. Sunday Flea Markets
52. Dinner Parties with Friends
53. Using My Best China Everyday
54. The Look on Someone's Face When you Compliment them
55. Unexpected Glances
56. Smiling For No Reason
57. The Smell of Tide and Bounce on Clean Clothes
58. Bubble Baths with Candles and Wine
59. A Hot Shower
60. Writing a Handwritten Note
61. The Internet / My Computer
62. Doing Something you didn't Think You Could Do
63. Cleaning Closets
64. Springtime in New England
65. Newbury Street Anytime
66. Hot Coco with Marshmallows
67. Pizza
68. Houses with Character
69. Beautiful Artwork
70. Being Humbled
71. People with Character
72. Lazy Days
73. Watching a Good Movie 
74. Facing my Fears
75. A Good Cry 
76. Falling In Love
77. A Mont Blanc Pen
78. The Smell of the Air after it Rains
79. Hugging the One You Love
80. Eskimo Kisses
81. Being Goofy and Not Caring
82. New Makeup
83. The Way you Feel When you Wear a New Suit and Everything Matches
84. High Thread Count Sheets
85. Grandpa’s Pillows
86. Dreaming
87. Dancing When No One's Around 
88. Fine Dining
89. The Smell of a BBQ
90. Eating Lobster Dipped in Butter and Corn on the Cob
91. A Great Work Out
92. The Feeling of Sand Through You Toes
93. The Sound of the Ocean at Night
94. Children Laughing / Their Innocence
95. Apple Picking in the Fall 
96. Christmas Parties in New England
97. Hot Apple Cider on the Stove with Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves
98. Experiencing New Cultures
99. Doing Something No One Thought You Would or Could
100. Loving Somebody More than Yourself
101. Independence
102. The Smell of Lilac Bushes when the Wind Blows
103. Really Listening to Somebody
104. Coming Home from a Long Trip
105. Cold Crisp Air Blowing Across you Face
106. Eating Icicles
107. Early morning coffee on my front porch with the paper
108. Meeting a Stranger and Feeling Like You’ve know them for Ages. 
109. Elderly People – Their Wisdom – Their Stories
110. The Secret
111. Dinner with friends
112. Gardening on a Sunday afternoon – watching things grow
113. Finishing everything on my list of things to do list
114. My Dog Ginger – I Love When She Tilts her Head to Look at Me
115. My friends who love me unconditionally
116. Complimenting a complete stranger
117. Making snow angels no matter what age I am

p.s. Erin number 108 is you and I when we’re old doing a craft project!

 

Ambition is that grit in the soul which creates disenchantment with the ordinary and puts the dare into dreams. 
~Max Lucado~

Photo Credits:  Image 1:  diggingrifiles.wordpress.com, Image 2: Peggy & Fritz, Image 3:  galeforce.blogspot.com, Image 4:  channel4.com, Image 5:  scienceblogs.com, Image 6-11:  Unknown (contact with credit).