20 Things to be Happy About

Hi, everyone!

Sometimes I have no idea what I'm going to write about here and them WHAM!!! It comes to me. When this happens I realize the subject matter has been lingering in my head for a week or so, and it was just a manner of time before the light bulb went off in my head and I took the "hint"! 

As all of you know, when the gardening season ended I began blogging about happiness and trying to find balance and goodness in your life. I have found some pretty interesting articles and had many, many "aha moments" while researching the subjects for my pieces.

This week everywhere I went, every time I looked up I saw something relating to happiness. Then it occurred to me...let's make a list of things to be happy about and see where it goes. I think this is a fantastic way to celebrate the beginning (hopefully!) of spring and to kick off what looks to be a fabulous summer in terms of finding balance and goodness, AND my gardening!!!!!

My list may not be your list. Make your own. Use some from my list. Feel free to laugh at my list!! (Not too hard!!!) Here goes...

(1) Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Preferably Paul de Lima.

(2) Fresh vegetables

(3) Forest preserves. Residents of Illinois have no idea how fortunate we are to have these places. They are beautiful and well maintained. Whether you are walking, running or biking they are truly wonderful to have available.

(4) Fresh herbs. Basil, dill, thyme, rosemary.....

(5) A safe neighborhood. I know very few of my neighbors. Can't tell you most of their names or even how many live in each house. However, my neighborhood is SAFE. That in itself is a huge happiness factor.

(6) Two running vehicles. Are they the best looking cars? Nope. Do they have all the bells and whistles I'd like? No way! High miles? Absolutely! But they run. They get my family from point A to B. That's all I can ask for. (I'd actually like a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 1997. Black with premium tires and a nice sound system. But I can wish, right?)

(7) Hana & Lad. That they put up with my crazy schedule is something!!!

(8) Brandi (my little sister) :) We don't agree sometimes. Many times we just shake our heads at each other. She's tall and thin. I am not. She LOVE LOVE LOVES pilates. I don't. She's blond. I'm brown. A crocs fan, she is. Not me. I like buffets. She would do anything NOT to go to one. But she's my sister and I can pretty much tell her anything and not be judged. Makes me happy.

(9) Sunshine, Delilah, Nightingale. It is great having pets. They're hard work, but completely worth it. Seriously.

(10) Pie Wednesdays at Baker's Square. Enough said.

(11) Peach-Ginseng smoothies at Panera Bread. Mmmmm.

(12) The Field Museum. Check out the Totem Poles in Ancient America.

(13) Homemade Sun Tea

(14) Tivo

(15) Having an area in my yard for an herb garden. Fresh herbs all summer and into the Fall. 

(16) Chompers. Chompers is a squirrel who lives in my neighborhood. He hangs out in the tree in my backyard. He eats the nuts and bread I put out for him. He is very fat. My dog and cats want to eat him. 

(17) Geese. Most people around here think they are just an annoyance. I think they're hysterical! Every time my Mom and Dad would come here they would always point out the geese. I would forget that in Upstate New York there just isn't "gaggles of geese" hanging around like here. Seeing geese there is a rarity. Here it's an every day occurrence!!!!!

(18) Dan in the Geek Squad at Best Buy. Seriously, everyone. Go see him when you have computer issues. He is a miracle worker!!

(19) The ability to work to make money. I know this sounds basic. But think about it. If you were unable to work or even healthy enough to work, what would you do? I work a lot. Because I can. That makes me happy. (the money helps)

(20) Music. I love music. (Most anyway) I teach music. I have a TON of sheet music and recorded music. What would I do without my piano and iPod and CD player and XM/Sirius???? Not sure.

Ok. These are my 20. I could come up with dozens of more. From a clear night sky to a crisp, dewy morning to the silence in my house when I am the only one up...I could add the amazing places I have travelled and seen, however, then my list would be in the 100s! Kinda funny. When you're not feeling so good about things, try doing this list. You will quickly realize you have much more to be happy about than sad about.

Lastly, I know that some of the people who see my posts think this is just "fluff." Not serious. Nothing that's relevant or going to change the world. But I think they're wrong. Cultivating happiness, consciously CHOOSING happiness makes a difference. Makes a difference in your attitude. Makes a difference in how you get through your days and your life. Makes a difference how you appear to others. Also, makes a difference deep down on the inside. Happier people are healthier people. This has been proven. Look it up. Use the Internet...another thing we should be happy about...

Cultivate happiness...CHOOSE to be happy. It works. Really.

Thanks for reading. As always eat well, be healthy and stay happy!!