The Joy List 101 Things that Make Me Joyful

What is joy? It's not a word I hear used very much anymore. Most people are stuck in the dumps of the daily drudge and smiles are rare these days. So what is joy, and where does it come from? I've been thinking about this a lot because I'm stuck in the dumps like everyone else. So I decided to do a tiny bit of research and a lot of thinking about joy. First thing? I looked up a definition so I know what I'm working with. Then I thought about what makes me happy, and I made what I called a Joy List. All day I thought about those little things that really cheer me up. By the end of the day I had 101 things, and I was in a really good mood! So I suggest you try it. Or just read by 101 things that give me joy, and maybe it will inspire you to think about the joy in your life, and find some more of it in your own lives!

1. The smell of sun tanned shoulders
2. Vanilla wafer cookies
3. Baking delicious treats and sharing them with loved ones
4. Napping nude under a sheet on a summer afternoon with the windows open and the birds chirping
5. Driving with the windows down and the music blaring
6. Laughing until you cry with your best friends
7. Wind in my hair
8. Puppies playing together
9. A kitten kneading my thigh and purring
10. Hot cocoa and a warm afghan
11. Accomplishing a difficult task
12. Running a mile without stopping
13. Getting sweet text messages
14. Getting hugged from behind with a kiss on the cheek
15. DailyDawdle.com
16. Oatmeal Comics
17. Good Hair Days
18. A pair of jeans that fit perfectly
19. A snugly sweater
20. Watching the Packers
21. Watching any Badgers sport
22. Having a good hand writing day
23. Making someone laugh
24. Bear Hugs
25. Any baby animals being super cute

26. Stalking wedding photos on Facebook

27. Wearing my wedding dress

28. Finishing a damn good book

29. Lazy afternoon naps in the sun

30. Walking down a path lined with willow trees

31. Sunlight and wind on my face

32. Chocolate chips pancakes and gyro meat

33. Laughing with my mom on the phone

34. Spooning with my hubby and cats

35. Pictures of my grandparents on their wedding day

36. Being called creative or talented by someone I respect

37. Acting "domestic"

38. White chocolate

39. Being good at my job

40. Garlic bread sticks and pasta

41. Reading lists

42. Bookstores

43. The way old books smell

44. Sunshine

45. Children giggling

46. Beautiful photography

47. The BritCom Father Ted

48. Glee

49. Feeding ducks at the pond

50. Drawing family trees

51. Snugly babies

52. Inane computer games in the afternoon

53. Buying anything online

54. Going out to breakfast with my dad and uncle

55. Playing cards with my aunts

56. A Girls Night Out

57. A Girls Night In

58. An afternoon of doing whatever I want

59. Spending time on the Terrace

60. Getting pistachio baklava at the Farmer's Market

61. The way it smells after a spring rain

62. The weird green color air turns before a huge thunderstorm

63. Bubble bath by candlelight

64. Checking off an entire to do list

65. Purple post it notes

66. Poetry about nature

67. A great debate over coffee

68. Grande white peppermint hot chocolates

69. Country music, Toby Kieth specifically

70. The yellow lines on a road contrasting the dreary colors of winter

71. The first snowflake of the year

72. Red knit caps

73. The first robin of the year

74. A mating pair of cardinals singing together

75. New Orleans drinks and desserts

76. The sunset in southern Mexico

77. Arts and crafts

78. Getting to know someone new

79. Finding a great deal on the perfect pair of shoes

80. Save the dates and wedding invitations

81. Etta James and Aretha Franklin

82. Doing or witnessing random acts of kindness

83. Making up names for my future children

84. Watching Downton Abbey

85. Making my hubby watch TV shows he "knows" he won't like, and him ending up being obsessed with them

86. Squirrels

87. Going on a walk and wandering upon something totally unexpected

88. Indian food, especially naan

89. Student newspapers

90. Sunday comics

91. Doodling with a sharpie

92. Saying no thanks because you got a better offer

93. Saying yes to your dream job

94. Taking goofy pictures with your friends and family

95. Inside jokes that go on forever

96. Seeing someone great you haven't seen in a long time

97. Sounding really smart about something you know nothing about

98. Being grown up and never having homework again

99. Remembering the definition of a really long word without having to look it up

100. Driving home after a long day of work

101. Actually knowing everyone I am friends with on Facebook

I'm cheered up again thinking about all of these things. I hope it's reminded you of some of the joy in your own life. Please share those special things with everyone you can, the world could use a little more joy!