For me it is
- a good book
- a nice cup of tea
- a cat on my lap
- hugs
- a gorgeous sunny day
- being inside and cosy when it rains
- a really good night’s sleep
- my favourite tv show
I firmly believe that very few people have ever had a totally happy life. In most people’s lives there are moments of happiness. And when added together, all those separate happy moments add up to a happy life. We appreciate happy moments if when we have been through bad times. I know I appreciate feeling no pain after a period where something hurts badly. I appreciate being healthy after a period of being ill. I appreciate sunshine more after a period of rain. I appreciate silence more after a period of noise. And I appreciate my happy moments more after a life interspersed with hard moments.
At times of dealing with depression or just hard times,I will make lists of things that “suck” or “don’t suck” (aren’t good or are good). A few examples :
“driving in traffic/rude drivers” vs “having a car”
“cleaning the house” vs “having a home to clean”
“getting a sunburn” vs “the sun shining”
The list can go on and on. Doing this from time to time reminds me how much there is to be thankful for even during hard times.
Thank you so much for this!