Ana made up a list of 54 things that made her happy. I enjoyed reading her list, but thought to myself that I could never do that. I'm not by nature a happy person, and decided to prove it by writing down the few things that make me happy. It was hard at first, but once I got started my list grew and grew. Over the course of 24 hours I managed to complete over half the list. It took several days to think of another two dozen things, but eventually I did it. Hey, I guess I'm happier that I thought!
Here's what makes Hermione happy:
- Seeing my favourite musicians perform in person
- Pizza - any kind, any place, any time
- Blogging about spanking
- Watching an organist play
- My husband's smile
- Watching the Food Network
- Singing in a choir
- Pussywillows
- Trying new recipes
- Seeing my stats after I have been Chrossed
- Watching Doc Martin
- Listening to a performance of Handel's Messiah
- Having my blog mentioned on other blogs
- Studying and passing exams
- Bagpipes
- Seeing my writing published in a newspaper
- Planting seeds and watching new life emerge from the soil
- Harvesting vegetables and giving them to a soup kitchen
- Buying groceries to donate to the local food bank
- The scent of lilacs
- Watching our younger dog play, run and jump after months of health challenges
- Going to an airport and watching the planes take off
- Watching Gordon Ramsay prepare easy and delicious dishes without using the F word
- A quiet house after visitors have gone home
- Eating the first green peas of the season, straight out of the pod
- Baking for my family
- Picking a spring bouquet of violets and lilies-of-the-valley
- The feel of clay beneath my hands as I shape and mold it
- Doing jigsaw puzzles
- Military parades
- Browsing the shelves of the public library or a bookshop
- Doing logic puzzles
- Long walks in the woods
- Having a picnic in the woods
- Filling a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
- Day trips to local historic sites
- Doing projects that allow me to be creative and messy
- Watching our dogs do cute and silly things
- Sitting in front of a blazing fire in the fireplace
- Hunting the wily haggis
- Watching our goldfish swim in their tank
- Donating things we no longer use to someone who can use them
- Driving along country roads to enjoy the fall colours
- Coming home after a long day of travelling
- Decorating the house for the holidays
- Thinking up topics for our Sunday brunches
- Finding food pictures for the brunch posts
- Volunteering on the Blogger help forum
- Watching a hummingbird sip nectar from our feeder
- Enjoying Boston Legal again
- James Spader (see #50)
- Reading my favourite blogs
- getting a back rub
- Seeing the start of a new day
That's indeed a wonderful list,
ReplyDeleteHermione,especially when it makes you so happy.
Makes me think that we should all
take the time to make our own list
of people, places, and things,
that make each of us, well, happy.
Thank you.
Fabulous list Hermione, thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading this and it made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteTotally with you on No 1 at the moment. Not long until we see the Boss! I'm with you Boston Legal and James Spader too and love that you harvest veges and buy groceries to give to the soup kitchen and food bank.
Hugs,
Roz
I took up Ana's challenge, i am glad i did. The Messiah, fresh peas and fall colors....three of the wonders of life.
ReplyDeletehugs abby
What no cooking down sap to make maple syrup?
ReplyDeleteRicky - It was an exercise in contemplation.
ReplyDeleteRoz - The Boss? How very cool! Lucky you.
Abby - I can't wait to read your list.
Bogey - No, that isn't fun. It just results in sticky walls!
Hugs,
Hermione
Those were great! Glad you took the challenge too :) It makes you feel good inside doesn't it? :) I love the way pussywillows feel too. They are so unique!
ReplyDeletelove
sara
wonderful list, Hermione. Lots of things to make one happy...its often the little things. :-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteHermione,
ReplyDeleteWonderful, made me happy reading your list.
I saw this over at Anna's and thought the same as you, never think of 54 things that make me happy. So looks like I'm going to have to take the challenge.
Thanks for sharing.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
PS - Listening to bagpipes always puts a smile on my face.
Great list and I applaud your fortitude in making the list. I saw that too and 54 just sounded so daunting.
ReplyDeleteI'll just be a passenger for the next couple of days so maybe.
Hermione, may I ask you an unusual question. You state in your Meme, that you are by nature NOT a happy person, May I ask WHY?
ReplyDeleteSara - I used to pick pussywillows when I was little. They grew everywhere!
ReplyDeleteTerps - I agree; it's the little things.
Ronnie - The last few were the hardest. I nearly stopped at 49!
Sunny - You could start a list and see how it goes.
Six - I let little things upset me far too much. I also can't feel happy if those around me aren't happy. Some days. though, I really am happy.
Hugs,
Hermione
Hi Hermione, I loved your list. No 10 made me smile and no 16? Are you a journalist then or can't you say?
ReplyDeletelove Jan.xx
Great list! We should all make one and keep it for future times when our outlook on life may not be as positive...enjoy some things from the list :)
ReplyDeleteI love this. Talk about a mood picker-upper. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Great list. I just might have to give it a try.
ReplyDeletehi thanks for sharing-- I enjoyed reading the list.
ReplyDeleteRose - I'm not a journalist but for a year I was part of a group who submitted articles to the paper on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteRiver - That's a good idea. It certainly cheered me up.
Erica - It was sort of a count your blessings exercise, minus the religious reference.
Zoe - I hope you share your list with us.
Trixie - Will you do one too, when you have some spare time?
Hugs,
Hermione
Yay!! I nearly missed this, which would have been a shame. Hooray for you! I'm glad you took up my challenge. It's great to see everyone doing it around blogland.
ReplyDeleteHappy 54 things to you, Hermione. :D
Ana - thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Hermione
Hi Hermione,
ReplyDeleteOK, I'll play.
1. Dark chocolate truffles
2. Live theater performances
3. Cyber-friends
4. Super Bowl commercials
5. San Francisco
6. Game of Thrones
7. Field greens salad
8. Smooth leather paddle
9. Randy's chest
10. Old growth forests
11. A day off just because
12. Granddaughter's laugh
13. Finishing a big job
14. Smithsonian Channel
15. Warm comfy winter nightgowns
16. Leisurely road trips
17. Writing about spanking
18. Tending a garden
19. Sound of ocean waves
20. Role playing
21. Roses
22. Snuggling aftermath
23. Kitties early in the morning
24. Being the grandma who bakes
25. Art museums
26. Sleeping late on Saturday
27. Mountain lodges
28. Date night
29. Surf music
30. Springtime
31. Dopey old comedies
32. Gifts of lingerie
33. Rhapsody in Blue
34. Discovering new spanking blogs
35. Stroking a slightly prickly face
36. Keeping a happy secret
37. When everything comes together
38. Getting dressed up
39. Helping a friend
40. Sedona
41. Taking time to do it right
42. Watching a movie together
43. Anticipation
44. Improving a recipe
45. Coniferous forest fragrance
46. Unexpected kindness
47. Sherlock
48. Amusement parks
49. Oh, that magic feeling - nowhere to go
50. Cheering a friend's success
51. Being a spanko couple
52. Savannah
53. Fresh berries
54. Being part of a wonderful community
Bonnie - That's a fine list! I'm also the grandma who bakes! Unfortunately, I love Superbowl commercials too but couldn't include them because we can't see then in Canada.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Hermione