At the end of school last year, my teacher gave the class an assignment to make a list of the things we felt make life good. The list was to be descriptive, describing the unique sights, sounds and smells that make each of us uniquely happy. Upon beginning, I found that I could have filled pages with all of the little things I overlook daily that bring a smile to my face. Here are a few of the things that I believe make life good ...
The color of the sky after it rains as the afternoon sun is coming out from behind the rain clouds.
The color of the leaves on the trees in the height of fall.
Laying in a warm bed on a cold night after a long day.
The smell of the air after it rains.
Pure, unrestrained, deep, and joyous laughter, sometimes so hard that your eyes start to water and your belly hurts.
Refreshing naps after school.
The moment after you finish a good book when you have to just sit in still silence and let it all sink in.
Eating together as a family without being rushed or preoccupied with the television.
Feeling God’s presence when you need Him most.
Road trips with my boyfriend when it is just the two of us in the car on the highway, comfortable silence, silliness (the laughter I talked about before), anticipation for our next adventure and bad singing to 'Totally 80’s Weekend' on Sunny 101.5 without a care in the world.
The tingling feeling in your mouth before you are about to eat delicious food.
The sense of relief found from writing about it, crying, or both.
Taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature.
The sense of satisfaction after a productive day, when you feel as if you have done something beneficial for your life and future.
Being needed, and being someone who people need, feeling as if who you are and the advice you offer is worth hearing.
Thinking, and upon thinking considering something you have not before, discovering a new topic or idea that intrigues you.
Checking things off your to-do list.
The first bite into the perfect fruit.
Warm summer days spent with your closest friends when time is not an issue and no adventure is a bad one.
Being able to experience the full range of human emotions, sometimes all in a single day, knowing that feeling means you are alive and living.
The sense of peace and fulfillment I felt after creating this list was extremely comforting and made me appreciate the beautiful world in which I live and the beautiful life I'm living.
These are the things that make me happy, what makes life good for you? Figuring it out will certainly lead you to a new appreciation of your surroundings, raise your awareness, and make you slow down in the midst of today's busy world.
