That Which Makes You Happy

Would you say you're generally happy?


via GIPHY

Or do you feel that you have to wait for something to happen before you can be really happy. Some people do feel that way, right? They may be happy, but they won't be really happy until such and such happens.


via GIPHY

I remember being in high school and thinking I wouldn't be really happy until I met my soul mate. Very typical romanticism for the age, I suppose. I didn't meet the man who eventually became my husband until I was twenty-six, and even then we didn't get married until I was thirty-one. Between the years of sixteen and thirty-one, several circumstances clued me in to the fact I could be content with my life as it was. I didn't need to wait for something or someone to make me happy.

Reading the Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean Pierre de Caussade helped me understand I have the power to be happy myself. While I can't honestly say I remember any specifics, I do remember being impressed overall about not wishing for the future, but rather appreciating the present. It probably was the beginning of my journey in regards to mindfulness.

Also, my sister died when I was twenty-nine (a year or so before I was married.) Although she was sick with Multiple Sclerosis, it was a huge shock when she died. It probably sounds trite, but her death at thirty-two made me realize my mortality. I still am very aware that no one of us is guaranteed another year, another day or even another breath. If we don't enjoy each moment we have, then we are potentially missing out on having the best last day of our lives.

When thinking about what makes me happy, I could just list "family" or "children" and that would be true. But there's so much more in each moment, so many specific things that make me happy, that I would remiss to make such a sloppy list of generalities. So, forgive me if the list is a little weird...

My non-exhaustive list of things that make me happy (in no particular order):

Warm, squishy hugs

Listening to Boy 2 laugh with delight

Being around trees

The way my hand fits inside my husband's

Holding my husband's hand when we go on trips

Boy 1's smile

Being outside in general

When nature looks like a Bob Ross painting

When I'm writing and am hit with inspiration

Listening to beautiful music (Right now I love David Nevue)

Listening to my children play music on the piano and cello

Listening to Tom Hiddleston read poetry (haven't done that in a while, but it does make me happy.)

Being helpful

Watching Troll Hunters, Doctor Who, Murdoch Mysteries, Murder She Wrote, Monk with my family

Going for walks with my family

Playing Tennis and riding my bicycle

The feel of the breeze on my face and pushing back my hair

When my dogs grunt with happiness when I rub their ears and/or tails
Picking out books from the library

I could go on, but I really need to go to bed. I kind of forgot I was blogging again until 8:30 on Sunday night, and so am writing this rather quickly!

What specifically makes you happy?