What Makes You Happy

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts. - Winnie The Pooh on behalf of A.A. Milne

It has hit that point in the winter when everyone is just OVER IT. The weather is challenging, the next holiday is a while off, and keeping a positive attitude is more difficult than at any other time of the year. I, personally, needed a pick-me-up, so I focused for the last few days on looking at what makes people happy. I asked the people on line at the grocery store. I noticed what made my friends light up with a warm smile. I saw the things that gave my coworkers satisfaction in their jobs. Here is the list and what I learned about what makes people happy:

• Getting a good parking spot on a rainy day

• Finishing a difficult workout without stopping or skipping anything

• Making a child feel good about themselves with a kind word

• Finding a dollar on the ground

• Getting a favorite item on sale, and buying two

• Bringing home flowers for the dining room table (my happy)

• Finding a huge piece of sea glass (my happy again)

• Getting a call from someone you haven't heard from in a while

• Having the hair come out perfectly today

• Looking up at the stars and moon

• Enjoying a great meal

• Seeing someone do well with a tough task

• Laughing (but also the the relief of a good cry)

• A long hot shower after getting soaked in a cold rain

• Music

• A welcome home greeting from the dog

• A hug that goes on long enough to sink into your skin

• Coffee

• A good book

• Being loved

Every one of the items on this highly unscientific list made me smile as I wrote it down. I recalled observing it or having it told to me, and that in itself made the list even sweeter. Look at the list as a whole, though. It has nothing to do with money, or position, or notable success. It doesn't depend on what others think of us. All of them (except love) are momentary and they are all happening, every day, even on our worst days. Small and simple, but in the noticing and appreciating, they become big and meaningful as we consider happiness and what we expect from it. Maybe we shouldn't expect or work towards happiness, but instead realize that we are already there. Stop using the word as a goal and start doing the things that we already know make us happy.

Me? I am going to get outside and take a long morning walk. Because THAT makes me happy.