What makes you happy?
Cindy on May 24th, 2010
If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door. ~Robert Brault
A blogger pal recently introduced me to the happy list. Like a gratitude list, a happy list cheers you when you’re in a funk. But unlike a gratitude list, a happy list isn’t supposed to include major events or life-affirming essentials like a close family, work you enjoy, lifelong friends, or a negative biopsy result. No, a happy list is all about simple pleasures, cheap thrills, little luxuries.
A happy list can be scribbled in no particular order. Happiness usually shows up randomly and in places where we least expect it — so let your own happy list reflect that.
As Ben Franklin wrote, “Human felicity is produced not as much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen as by little advantages that occur every day.” I’ve edited my list down to a few highlights — and I look forward to reading some of yours. — CL
*A stack of new books and a pending beach vacation
*A great haircut that lasts for more than four weeks (thank you, Patti!)
*Hearing my husband play his guitar while I write in my office
*Leon & Lulu, a gift shop with a sense of humor in Clawson
*A bag of pretzel nuggets from the local Dollar Store
*The text message from my traveling son that reads: “Just landed safely in Chicago” (… or Toronto or Little Rock or …)
*Dressing up and heading out to dinner with my husband, midweek, without the crowds and long lines
*Donna’s savory Greek salad and grilled garlic pita bread at Niki’s, my all-time favorite local diner
*The effortless ease of ballet flats, anytime
*Sunsets on Lake Michigan
*A free hour and a book of Billy Collins’ poetry
*Picking fresh herbs from my own salad garden while the cats look on … there’s catnip in that garden, too
*Finding an extra quarter for the parking meter in the bottom of my purse when I’m in downtown Royal Oak
*Paul Simon singing “Graceland”
*Silver jewelry coming clean while I polish it
*Feeling at home in my skin, no matter where I am
*Reading fashion magazines on the beach — the only time I have time for them
*The sparkle of crystal chandeliers
*Re-reading the first chapter of Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine the first week of summer
*Shopping at the flea market and finding exactly what I need for an art project
*Hearing pride in the voices of my students when they read their writing aloud
*The cheery scents of citrus and lemon and grapefruit
*Unexpected thank-you notes
*Freshly laundered white sheets and ironed pillowcases
*Finding the perfect cards for my best friends at a card shop
*Shopping for groceries at Trader Joe’s, because the food is fun and so are the people who work there
*Long, rambling bike rides with no particular destination
*Unlimited free time in the aisles of a well-stocked garden center
*The first glimpse of my home when I’m returning from a vacation
– Random happiness photos by Cindy La Ferle –
May 24th, 2010 at 11:12 am
lovely, Cindy! what a nice read!
you’ve inspired me to get into more poetry reads this summer, and novels too! 
~happiness really is a circle!
hugs, Jenn
May 24th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
- When anyone else does the cooking
- Chocolate
- And I so second your Dandelion Wine sentiment. I love that book, and esp the quote, “Dig in the earth, delve in the soul.”
May 24th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
a glass of wine after a long hard day.
a free friday night.
being able to stay inside, when it’s raining outside.
hearing my mom laugh
waking up to the smell of coffee
getting (and loving) a new pair of shoes!
anticipation of family coming for a visit
walking into my parents house (the home I grew up in). There’s nothing like the smell of that home.
May 24th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Cold water on a hot day.
A warm shower on a cold morning.
An unexpected visit from a friend.
The laughter of my family.
Flowers in my garden.
Gentle reminders of Gods grace:)
May 25th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Well said Cindy! I love your list– especially “Unexpected thank-you notes…”
My list would include–
-Large quantities of chocolate
-A warm day at the beach
-Someone else making dinner
-My mom on the other end of the telephone
Have a great week,
jj
May 25th, 2010 at 6:49 am
So many of these comments touch my heart … and so many of the items you’ve added so far could be added to the longer version of my happy list! (The original post was so long that I had to edit out at least 15 items.) Joanna J., I was touched by “My mom on the other end of the telephone,” especially. And Chloe, I truly related to your item, “getting and loving a new pair of shoes.” Shoes are always on my happy list!
May 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Ahhh, some of these made me happy just reading them!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I do love your list, Cindy, and I sense you have inspired me to create one of my own. These simple happinesses are different from gratitudes, I believe. They just feel different…
Now that I am home and organizing after being gone for 3 months, I found a journal that I was keeping last year…named it a “Joy Journal.” It’s been empty for a while. I think it could use a happiness list.
If I were to share one happiness today, it would be the luxury of sitting here, the feel of summer all around, and doing exactly what I want to today. It’s now 2:30 p.m. and I am still in my jammies! Pure pleasure…..xo
May 26th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Jan, so GOOD to hear from you, my friend! And hanging out in jammies all afternoon is something I need to add to my list! It keeps getting longer, thanks to all these great reminders from my friends here
May 26th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Oh, Cindy – I so forgot all about Danelion Wine, “It was the face of summer, it was the warmness of clover breath. Pomengranate glowed in her lips, and the noon sky in her eyes.” One summer we did a Readers Theater using Dandelion Wine. I kept a gratitude journal for years and is similar to the happy list. When I started out with my journal, I had to write down 5 items every day I was grateful for. It makes difference in your attitude and is worth the exercise and effort. If we would do it everyday, our bad days would be good! Thank you again for Ray Bradbury and the Happy List! hugs
May 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Great idea for a post, Cindy!
Mine include:
Reading comments on my Hill Country Mysteries blog posts.
Tying a feather to a string and watching my cat jump when I bounce it.
Watching black swallowtail caterpillars munch on volunteer dill plants.
Sitting on the porch and watching color bloom and fade in the sky at sunset.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
CLF, one thing that makes me happy is when I can bring a smile to another person in some way.
Our mental health depends upon us telling ourselves honest, positive, & truthful thoughts!
May 26th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Cindy, your list sings the song of summer, the joy of longer days and time that slows down. Thank you for sharing your happiness.
May 28th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Cindy, this is just beautiful. It’s a real lift!
May 30th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Cindy you are so inspiring…. I posted your blog about what makes you happy on my Face book “thingy” I will make my own list, we all should have one. I am encouraging any one who reads it to post their list.
I am also reading some of your friends additions, they are great!
July 10th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Cindy,
I’m just taking a little time to browse when I really should be finishing bridal jewelry for an upcoming wedding. This one spoke to me.
Being pleased with my creativity makes me happy. I’m not always…
Grinding coffee beans and smelling the aroma makes me happy–so does the fist hot sip.
Knowing my “kids” are healthy and content makes me happy. This is all worth asking on a regular basis. Good stuff!