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Ever had a sinking feeling, when everything seems to get you down?
While I was feeling in that kind of mood not long ago, I was half listening to the radio when something caught my attention. A councellor was giving a little talk and explained that when things start to get one down, it was a good idea to make a list of things that made one feel happy and concentrate on those things for a while.
Apart from the usual things like family, friends, pets and personal faith, what makes me happy?
I think that content is a better word than happy, as happiness tends to be fleeting and contentment lasts much longer.
I started to think about it and made a little list and these are the things that came to mind.
* I am contented when I have a few hours to myself after a busy day at school.
* The start of a school holiday (though this tends to wear off as the time goes on and I might even start to get bored!)
* Spending time with a good book and no interruptions.
* Looking out of the window and watching the birds feeding.
* Snuggling between clean sheets.
* The smell of clean washing.
* Sitting by a fire and watching TV, when the wind howls outside, feeling safe, warm and secure.
* The way the sun shines on a flower or shrub and how intense the light is in the Spring sun.
* Settling down to uninterrupted sessions of photography, writing and crafts.
* Receiving a letter from a loved one who has not written for ages.
* A Saturday evening sharing a take a way and a bottle of wine with my other half.
* Getting on a bus to the sea using a free bus pass!
* The satisfaction felt after doing a dreaded household chore.
* Singing my favourite praise songs with friends in Church.
I could go on and on. Have you noticed that most of these things cost next to nothing? Am I easily pleased or what?
So go on, what things make you happy?
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34 comments:
The problem with thinking about what makes you happy is it tends to highlight those things that don't. Like you Maggie I think content is a better word.... hmm, I think I might blog about this myself!
The list seems complete or may be we can add something like lie down on grass and see the cloud formations. :) Great post!
We have many items in common. Like you, I prefer the word contentment.
When you strip it all down, peace of mind, happiness, contentment - the things that makes all well with our world, it is rarely anything that can be bought, is it?
It's okay to feel blue, it serves as a yardstick to measure when you are feeling happy! Being healthy, knowing you are loved, having your heart light up as you listen to a wonderful song.. very basic but essential to the well being of your soul. (Lovely post, made me smile.)
I once had really bad panic attacks. and with those comes depression. I go over them. I think that it was the state of mind i was in. If you alwasy think down you will go that way. keep thonking about happy thoughts.
great photo friday
A lovely and thoughtful post, Maggie May. I often get "down" myself, and if you're not careful, it's easy to fall deeper and deeper into that mode of negative thinking. I try to do something different that takes my mind off things for awhile. Your list is proof of the old adage that "the best things in life are free."
I love to sit on my porch swing and just feel the warm breeze--which I did this morning! Laughing with my grandchildren also is near the top of the list.
Reading you post, that made me feel pretty good. I like your list, I like many of the same things you do.
Your list is wonderful and I hope you take advantage of those happy things often!
Great list. It does help to list our blessings from time to time less we forget we have them.
What a great list of good things!! I have been in a slump lately and am sure working to get out of it!
great post! It's amazing the power of positive thinking
I'm going to try this Maggie - thank you!
I'd go along with most of your list Maggie and when you sit and think about it that way you begin to count your blessings. A x
Those are great simple pleasures. It's not that hard to be happy if you remember this often. I'm so glad to have a nice warm shower and a nice soft bed.
You may be easily pleased, but your list is priceless-- the key word for me in most of it was "uninterrupted" ;-)
This was a fantastic post, thanks I needed it.
Hey, my word veri is hope-r (I added the hyphen)
I like it! Reading your list embraced contentment! So many things! I love to hear birds and crickets in the morning. And I know this cost some, but a delicious bowl of ice cream!
Oh I like yours! The older I get the more I find the non-material things make me happy!
Friday nights
galaxy chocolate
My kids
perfume
snow
my dog
most people snitye
Thanks Maggie, I like your list very much. I am feeling in need of a lift at the moment, so maybe I should try a list of my own.
hmm now that actually sounds like a great idea ;-)
For me the items would include
looking out the window at the birds with a cup of coffee in hand.
A drive to the mountains
Walk in the park with Emma
but you have a point. It doesn't *always* have to cost a lot...
Like you I think that content is a better word. My list would be pretty much the same as yours but I would definitely add time spent in the garden getting my hands dirty.
lovely 'contented' thoughts
And writing great blog posts. Don't forget that Maggie.
Yes, a contented person tends to be that nearly all of the time. To be happy all the time is probably a bridge too far. I feel sorry for the unhappy or discontented people. Sometimes hard for them to climb out of the mire. Eddie
Your list is beautiful. Many of those things make me content too. I think that suggestion is a good one, a very good one. That sinking feeling can be overwhelming, or make you feel so mired in it, that it is good to have things like this in the back of your mind that help pull out.
I love a glass of wine with girl friends and a chick flick, dim sum with my husband, a great boo, and a hot bubble bath!
I love your list...mine would also include yummy just-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies:)
Like you, life has taught me that the most worthwhile things are free. A babys' smile, the smell of coffee first thing in the morning, a nice hot bath, I could go on. Thanks for making me think of this Maggie.
i like your list.. it made me smile to read it :)
Well the saying goes "the best things in life are free" and your list proves it! :)
A good book without interruptions..... now that would be perfect!
I share much of your list plus:
an hour in the greenhouse,
an afternoon in the garden,
a walk with my daughter in Oxford Botanical Gardens.
Lovely post.
You missed out not hearing noises from above. Now THAT would really make you happy......
Many of you have added other things that are helpful to contentment/happiness and lots of you can relate to mine.
I am really pleased that so many of you found the list helpful.
I had to smile at Jackie's comment ( Mother of This Lot!)........ not hearing noises from above. Now this could turn into another post! Watch this space!
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