What makes me happy, smile, laugh, content, inspired? After reading Tolle, I realized that I don't think enough positive thoughts. My pain body and ego were constantly active and bringing me down, so I just started jotting down some things that make be more uplifted. I didn't know that I would get to a 100.
- When individuals triumph over hardship with a smile.
- When egoless, selfless individuals are rewarded or recognized for their work.
- Whenever the sun rises or sets.
- When I eat anything with chocolate and raspberries. Preferably the dessert bar from HotKakes.
- Whenever I talk to friends and family.
- When I volunteer.
- Being near a body of water.
- Listening to birds chirping at daybreak.
- Seeing justice served or injustice undone.
- The smell of flowers.
- A pleasant dream. (I recently dreamed that I got married.)
- Conversation over dinner
- Fixing food for other people
- Eating at a local restaurant where you can feel and taste the love of the cooks
- Watching unusual love stories (Noah's Arc, Amelie, etc)
- Sipping tea
- Will and Grace
- The Closer
- Scrubs
- Concerts on the beach
- Going to museums
- Situational irony
- Absurd (or undoable) requests
- Taking off for a trip early in the morning (Probably because this reminds me of childhood)
- A really good restaurant
- Whenever someone winks at me
- Knowing/feeling that I am doing a good job at work, in relationship, in Life
- Falling in love
- Seeing old friends
- Telling someone what they mean to you
- Giving and receiving a card in the mail
- Being attracted to someone
- Feeling attractive to someone
- Being in a tuxedo
- Going to a wedding, bridal shower
- Going on a date where I can be myself
- Going on a date to the movies
- Holding hands in public without fear or unease
- Kissing in public
- Making children laugh
- Buying children what they need
- Painting with my niece
- Thinking about the really strange ways that I played by myself as a kid
- Knowing that I have come through a lot and still I most in tact (this also works against me)
- Thinking about my momma fixing breakfast.
- Waking up to the smell of sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits (especially) and pancakes.
- Thinking about the games my siblings and I used to play around the table.
- Getting a good grade in class.
- Eating my ex's tres-leche
- Reading the New York Times and drinking coffee on Sunday morning in the early morning sun
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Skating
- A good book, especially light-hearted ones about romance.
- Birthday parties (especially friends')
- Annual American Idol concerts
- Affordable Art
- Playing the tambourine
- Listening to gospel music from my youth
- Feeling the spirit of a sermon/choir
- Singing
- Singing in my car (as loud as I want)
- Singing in my shower (though not as loud as I want)
- Stories about Black people who didn't make the history book but should have
- The coming together of people from different cultures
- The church scene from the Color Purple
- Letting romantically-involved people do stuff for me that I can't do or can do, but would rather let them. Like putting air in my tire. Opening a bottle.
- Being in love
- Being loved
- Valentine's Day (only if I am with someone)
- Nice fitting boxer briefs
- Nice fitting jeans
- Turning in a well-prepared, well-written paper
- Learning a topic from a charismatic speaker
- People who teach better living; especially humble, especially insightful
- Someone acknowledges my story, pain, gain,
- Someone wants to give me an award
- Going to the animal shelter
- Drag shows
- Fancy dinners
- Hole-in-the wall/off-the beaten path good restaurants
- Diversifying representative bodies (esp. political)
- Painting (esp how what you end up painting is usually completely different from how you initially envisioned it)
- People who find their passion
- When friends succeed
- When friends ask for advice
- When I travel a long distance to see a friend
- Slumber parties
- A healthful meal (esp sushi)
- Things that are crunchy
- The euphoric feeling when running (prob about 10 minutes into it)
- fresh-baked bread
- cook-outs
- old structures that have architectural detail and interest
- mountains and trees
- warm blanket (like coming right out of the dryer)
- clothes from off outside clothesline
- ability to laugh at hardship
- Having friends that I have known for years and years
- taking pleasure in the simple things in life (toast with butter and jam, feeling the wind across my skin, greeting a neighbor or stranger)
