“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens / Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens / Brown paper packages tied up with strings / These are a few of my favorite things” – Oscar Hammerstein II, ‘The Sound of Music’

This week, I stumbled upon the theme of happiness. It all started when I realized that people saw me as a happy person. And I kinda wanna keep that going.

I mentioned that I seek out happy things. I make a point everyday to do or simply be near something that makes me happy. So, what makes me happy? Like the song goes, I just think of my favorite things…

• Making my mother laugh
• A long walk through the city on a sunny day
• Making pasta from scratch
• My quirky little apartment
• Music

I’m starting to beam just writing these down. And there’s a lot more. Don’t get me started on big hairy dogs, tugboats and a good book on a stormy night.

It’s important to know what makes you happy, and I wonder how many people really stop to contemplate the simple things that can be a part of their everyday lives.

Now, I should add that happiness is the outward manifestation of inner joy. You can fill up your life with lots of stuff, but if you’re not internally okay with yourself, then there’s but so much a new car can ever do for you. But that’s for another blog.

So I ask you, what makes you happy? I’m not talking deliriously happy, like skipping down the street, but just a general feeling of contentment with the world around you. Think about it and post your answers here. I’ll collect these thoughts and write a reflection.

For more:
How to Kick-Start Your Pursuit of Happiness
7 Tips for Finding Happiness
Uplifting Quotes about Joy