This past week I found myself complaining a lot. It seemed like every person I encountered was rude, I didn’t enjoy my classes, my family annoyed me, and it was as if every situation I was in was filled with negativity. To cap off the weekend, I watched a few segments of various people remembering the tragic events that occurred on September 11th, 2001. We all remember it and we all still feel a pull of despair whenever the subject is brought up.

After listening to the scared, hopeless victims and the courageous survivors that are living today, I realized how much I let negativity surround my mind. It’s okay to be sad sometimes but it is so important to see the good. To embrace the happy and to remember what really matters in life. This made me think about all the things that make me happy. I feel it may be useful to write down at least a few things that I find brings me joy, whether they are big or small. These are the things we need to hold on to, to keep being happy and to remember the little things in life are what can bring the most joy.

1. The smell of my favorite candles (crisp fall night, mountainside, mahogany teakwood)
2. Showering after the beach
3. Getting acrylic nails and tapping them on any hard surface
4. Making babies laugh
5. Having my hair brushed
6. Having my tummy rubbed
7. Giving my friends and family presents that I know they’ll really like
8. The feeling I get when my makeup comes out perfect
9. Feeling tired after a good workout
10. Yoga
11. Smelling a fire outside when driving on a crisp fall night through a woodsy area
12. A warm towel to dry off in after a shower
13. Putting on chapstick when your lips are really dry
14. New agendas
15. Planning a lesson and having it actually work out
16. Getting a hug from a student when they see you walking down the hall
17. Specific perfume scents that I use for each season
18. A fully charged electronic device
19. Finishing your homework early on a Sunday night
20. Writing a to-do list
21. The feeling after cleaning and rearranging your room
22. Kitten’s nudging you with their face
23. Shaving your legs and getting into bed with clean sheets
24. Finishing a 20 page paper
25. Getting an A on a 20 page paper
26. Moisturizing my face in the winter
27. Having your crush text you
28. The feeling after a really great first date
29. Watching your favorite movie
30. Going to a Broadway play (or any play)
31. Falling asleep to the hectic sounds of New York City at night
32. Being in Disney World
33. The perfect fluffy scarf
34. Taking an amazing selfie
35. Finding a pair of shoes that fits just right
36. Opening up a new tube of mascara
37. Writing out your notes and your handwriting comes out perfect
38. How your hair smells and looks after a haircut
39. Scratching an itch on your foot
40. Taking off your bra after a long day
41. Laying on the couch after a full work day
42. Driving with a friend on a long or short adventure
43. Driving by yourself to clear your head
44. Putting eyedrops in when your allergies are acting up
45. Finding the perfect grey colored t-shirt
46. Wearing your favorite underwear
47. Being told that you are loved
48. Looking at your favorite celebrity crush
49. Getting 50+ likes on Instagram
50. Reading heartfelt cards on your birthday