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Count It All Joy

If there is even a slight chance at getting you something that makes you happy, risk it. Life is too short and happiness is too rare. – A.R. Lucas

Whitney Todd

Feb 05, 2018

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

197

Whitney Todd

We all have favorites. We all have things that make our heart beat a little faster. We all have things that we know will brighten up our day and show a little glimpse of a sparkle in our eye. They are the things that bring us joy; things that make us happy. They are nothing special, and they don’t have to be. We don’t compare them to others’ favorites. They are ours. The things that make us happy belong to us, and we need to count it all joy.

What brings joy to Whitney:

Pale Pink Peonies

The right shade of lipstick

Grace

When the right song plays at the right moment

Chubby babies

Making others genuinely crack a smile

Polka Dots

Finding meaning in a new verse

Love

Defying expectations

Coffee shops on cloudy days

The sun peeking through the trees

Handwritten letters

French expressions

Beauty and the Beast

Classics

Witty sayings

Making a batch of cookies and not baking them

Intellectual conversations

Cheat days

The smell of coffee

Surprises out of love

The feeling of being home

Finishing a book

Messy buns

Praying for others

The feeling of a fresh start

Eating cake for breakfast

Grandma’s hugs

The smell right before it starts to rain

Anything that sparkles

Well-tailored clothing

Curiosity

A wink

Knowing the victory has already been won.

I encourage you to think about what brings joy to your life. When you do that, write it down and reflect. Think about what is on your list and ask the question, “When have I last experienced this?”

Do more of that. Recreate it. Repeat it.

If you have a zest for it, what is stopping you from experiencing it? Write it down so you know to do it more. This is soul food for your growling, hungry heart.

It doesn’t have to be anything special. Write down the feelings, emotions, things and people that make you happy.

Count it all joy.

If there is even a slight chance at getting you something that makes you happy, risk it. Life is too short and happiness is too rare. – A.R. Lucas

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Count It All Joy

If there is even a slight chance at getting you something that makes you happy, risk it. Life is too short and happiness is too rare. – A.R. Lucas

Count it all joy.

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Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

7. Opportunities

8. Students want to learn

9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to

10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

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