Happiness generally comes in tiny packages, sometimes so tiny that it’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention. And because I made a resolution to “Find the joy, lose the beleaguered attitude,” I need to make sure I’m not looking the other way when the bluebird of happiness flies by.
One easy way to fine tune my bliss meter is this – Every night before I fall asleep, I mine my day for bliss nuggets. This leaves me a feeling of appreciation for the joys of the day and sharpens my bliss sensors for the following day.
The variety of gems which fall out of this exercise is fascinating:
- Pink panther oboe notes, signaling a call from Bob
- Laying flat on the floor with my arms over my head
- Tami’s happy, smiling “hello”
- My palms against the smooth bark of a beech tree
- Jenny wading barefoot across the icy waters of Robeson Creek
- A warm smile on a stranger’s face at the post office
- Bright red cardinals against the background of a gray day
- Haruka’s easy, musical laugh
- Running into family at the Marketplace
- One of Link’s soul-enriching hugs
- NPR sound byte: “In capitalism there are some winners and some losers. And it’s unfortunate, but that’s how our system works.”
- Walking around town, car less and carefree
- Sitting on Hailey, taking in the view from Round Top Mountain
- Playing Beck’s “Loser”
- Vegan Tettrazini and Rise of the Planet of the Apes
