What Makes You Happy?

Have you ever thought about what makes you happy? I mean really thought about it?

I received an email in December regarding a new book coming out, The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. I loved the concept, replied to the email and received a proof of the book!

I'm about half-way through it, and I love it. I'm inspired. I'm generally a happy person to begin with; to be honest it's something I sort of pride myself on. Nonetheless, this book got me thinking; what does make me happy?? I've never given that any thought. I began to make a list and was amazed at how many things make me happy. Things that I could easily turn to anytime I needed a "happiness boost". Here are a few examples:

1. Walking into a clean bathroom
2. Having yogurt with fruit for breakfast
3. Game night w/my kids
4. Taking a bath
5. Clean sheets.
6. Caribou Coffee
7. Painting my toenails (love having color on my toes, don't care for the typed word 'toenails')
8. Reading cookbooks
9. Connecting with inspiring friends
10. Yoga
11. Making a plan
... and about 40 more

Are any of these things going to put me on the list of Forbes wealthiest? Probably not. But who's to say what the outcome of being happier will have on my life. If I'm happier, both my personal and professional lives benefit. How much to you really accomplish when you're unhappy? How do people around you feel when you're unhappy? Take a situation where you were in an noticeably hum-drum mood and re-enact it with a happy you -would the situation have been different?

My resolution for 2010:

To be aware of what makes me happy and to be grateful, for all of it.

I'm going to endeavor on my own happiness project.

Time for a bath...What's on your happiness list?