what makes me happy

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Just as I was about to hop in for the night, I found that Dee, in one of her blog hop entries, tagged this spot to a post entitled “these are a few of my favorite things”. Not about to hop into that meme, I realized that more than responding to her tag and participating in the loop, listing the things that make you happy is actually a cool and refreshing idea. For one, it tends to improve your mood. After a long day at work, listening to One Republic (my new Matchbox 20), brings to mind other things that can put the issues of the daily grind behind. And suddenly, you feel a little okay. Or when the world just seems to pull your spirits down, talking to a loved one on the phone or a chat with an old friend will give you that longed pat on the back and reassures you that tomorrow will be just fine. It can be tough to stay feeling elated and motivated and upbeat 24/7 because everyday living displays a full range of emotions. It is ultimately your choice to be happy. But then, reminding yourself of the things that can bring the sunshine to a cloudy day (on the contrary, rain is among the things that make me feel good), may be the one thing that you need as a precursor to a sunny disposition over a potential state of displeasure. If it cannot steer the way things are to an entirely new direction, thinking about your planned travel to Batanes, or receiving a message of thanks from a customer has the power to make a day less bad.

I just realized that it can be a good habit to list down the things that made your day more than the usual and remind yourself how some odd twist of chemistry and circumstances put that curve on your face. And that I might just start it today.

Here are a few things, random as they are, specific or scripted in motherhood statements, that can make my day above the ordinary and make me smile. (Sorry Dee, but I just cannot reduce these to five items.)    

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Looking at old photos and remembering the good times

Creating something on Blogspot

The love and comfort of family

Catching up with friends or hanging out with them

Thursdays

Movies - tearjerkers, by Christopher Nolan, recommended by friends (you may refer to this list)

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Rain

A bar of Toblerone

Travel – from planning, to packing up, to discovering new things

Fruit salad

A good joke from all types of sources

Megan Fox

A thank you message

Giving thanks

The glow of sunset

When the universe is into you like something working out that you never thought would

A good article or literature

Photography and beautiful pictures

Achieving goals

Following your inner rhythm

Sweet mangoes and pineapples

Smiling faces all around

A beautiful view

Waking up from a good night’s sleep

That you are still breathing

Getting a good item from the sale rack

Silence

Going to your secret getaway and spending time alone

Youtube
A pack of peanuts

Music and rocking like hurricane

Trip to Jollibee with my nephews and niece

A new shirt

A new bottle of scent

A new watch

Pampering yourself in a spa

Coming into terms with your flaws

Not trying to please everyone

Meeting new people

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Beaches

Internet

Staying home

Beer

Pizza

Sharpening a pencil

Not putting your own hopes on other people’s shoulders

Helping in a cause

Rainbows

Love

Stargazing

A moonlit night

The sound of waves rushing to the shore

Christmas

Daydreaming
Videoke
A new haircut

Three-day weekends

Paulo Coelho

The smell of hay

The scent of home

Just making this list already makes me happy. But I know you can definitely list a lot more. :-)