Lately I’ve been hitting work topics pretty hard on the blog, so I thought it might be time for some fun.
What Brings a Smile to Your Face?
We tend to think about the big things in life that are important … but what about the little things? Those things are important too, aren’t they? So let’s go small. Here’s my list – I’d love to hear yours. Please comment here or even write your own post.
- Making every green light.
- I love potato chips. But especially, I love the folded-over chips you find occasionally in the bag. (I wish a potato chip manufacturer would make bags of all folded-over chips.)
- Getting an aisle seat at any major sporting event.
- Sinking a golf putt over 10 feet long – a rare occurrence.
- Laughter.
Bonus Question
Can you name 5 little things that make your wife/husband/significant other happy?
I’m feeling a bit blue today, so I’m glad to answer this question:
1. dancing
2. when my kids give me their nearly burnt french fries
3. seeing babies in strollers–the younger the better
4. solving a hard sudoku in less than 10 minutes
5. when my kids clean up the kitchen after I cook them a meal
I love this, Brad! Celebrating the little things that make us happy is just brilliant. it would be coffee in the morning when I have time to enjoy it, the right tune at the right time without me selecting it beforehand, people being happy around me, brownies and yes, I have to agree, making every green light
Hi Jody, Thanks for stopping by Word Sell – hope this little exercise brightened your day. If your kids clean the kitchen (ever), you have a lot to be thankful for!
PS – Burnt fires are right up there for me, next to folded over chips.
Hi Alina, Mmmm … brownies. I may have to go back and edit my list. Your enthusiasm for this little project has brightened my day!
What 5 Little Things Make Me Happy?:
1. Hearing my husband’s voice on the phone and he’s happy.
2. Looking out my windows into the woods.
3. No appointments on any given day.
4. Tea, especially black in the morning and white in the afternoon.
5. White roses from my garden.
Hi Olivia, Thanks for playing. Nothing like the sound of a happy loved one, true?
1. When my husband makes me laugh, which is often.
2. Flute lessons.
3. Oysters Rockefeller – husband makes the best.
4. Exercise (I dread it beforehand and I hate it during, but I always feel great afterwards).
5. A client saying they love my work (we writers need regular praise).
His 5 things:
1. Making me (or anyone) laugh.
2. An afternoon nap.
3. Winning at poker.
4. A good bottle of wine/beer.
5. A well-made macchiato.
Brad, what a lovely idea
Here’s mine
1. A new book to read from the library
2. Scottish raspberries
3. Smiling at old people you pass in the street
4. The first gin and tonic of the evening
5. Caledonian MacBrayne ferry boats
Just scanned the feedback so far – an interesting cobble of responses driven by self and others!
For me, the following -
* The honest laughter of others.
* The satisfaction derived from helping another in some way truly meaningful to them.
* James Taylor.
* Counting my blessings.
* Recounting my blessings!
Seems like a very common theme here is laughter – that makes me very happy indeed!
Clare, Thank you for being the first to write about your mate. Perhaps your husband is keen on winning at poker in order to fund your Oysters Rockefeller craving. (A delicacy, BTW, my wife really loves!)
Joanna, Your list sounds so much like you, but I did not know you were a gin and tonic fan. Someday I will have to give you my recipe for gin and gin and tonics. What is your favorite gin?
Bill, Your list also sounds much like you. We can never count our blessings enough, can we? Especially these days, when it’s easy to come down with a bad case of the Woe Is Me’s.
Stream of consciousness Brad: The very first things to come to mind for me are
1. Quick phone calls from my son and daughter (both live over 3,000 miles away) when they want to versus feel they have to (okay, that might not be that little…)
2. Reese’s peanut butter cups – the classic original ones
3. When bits of web code I have never tried before will actually work!
4. The 5am run I do every morning
5. A post like this one where I can quickly connect with friends I care a great deal for.
Hi Rosa, Did you notice I sort of stole the RFL concept from JJL? It didn’t occur to me until you were nice enough to leave your comment – thank you for #5, it means a great deal. I’m also with you on #3 – what a joyful feeling it is when a web page bends to your will!
Wow, I think you hit the mother lode with this post, Brad!
Whenever someone asks me for a quick list like this I immediately get tongue-tied and can’t think of a thing. (So I have a slow-motion brain. Whattayagonnado?) But as I read through other folks’ lists, I find myself goin’, “Yeah, me too!” on a herd of ‘em. But I gotta say, of all the things listed here, my favorite is still those folded-over chips! Definitely tops!
Anyhoo, I might still give it a try…
1. Seein’ other folks give “hat tips” to each other on Twitter
2. When someone says “your post really touched me” or “I’m sending this to someone who needs it”
3. Those really WELL-done breadsticks at Cafe Express
4. Makin’ Mrs. MZM roll her eyes and shake her head when she reads one of my posts
5. A great novel… and time to read it
OK, so maybe those aren’t so little after all.
You didn’t steal it Brad… you learned it and adapted it, and I take that as a huge compliment! You were such a wonderful RFL host for Joyful Jubilant Learning this month – thank you again
And besides, RFL is actually an adaptation too, of the Daily 5 Minutes I teach managers within Managing with Aloha. Goodness just begs to be shared. Can that be a number 6?
I’ll join Clare in sharing 5 for my husband:
1. Winning at Poker definitely makes him happy too.
2. A “hard” Sudoku puzzle that he thought was “easy”
3. Fireworks. So this weekend marks one of his favorite holidays
4. When he has a day off and I have no honeydo list for him
5. When he can still beat our 22yo son arm wrestling
Robert, I really liked that ‘I’m sending this post to someone who needs it’ comment too… (I did tell you I was lurking
)
Hi Robert, I get brain cramps on JJL Rapid Fire Learning – we probably wouldn’t make the greatest Jeopardy! contestants. But you put together a fine list … now I’m wondering if we should exchange recommendations on good novels. Maybe on Twitter?
Rosa, You and Clare might enjoy taking a family vacation together – I sense great compatibility.
Here are 5 for my wife -
1. Oysters Rockefeller
2. Spending time with family, doing anything and everything
3. Chardonnay
4. Dancing
5. Tending to her flowers (something I am learning to enjoy)
Ooh, fun!
1. My dog Chappy. He can make me smile any time, any where. (He’s gifted that way.)
2. The anticipation of starting a new book, and the satisfying feeling when turning the last page of a really good book. (Not to mention those moments in a movie theater when the lights dim just before the movie starts–that magical moment of sheer anticipation when anything is possible, before you realize that the movie is terrible or not funny or badly acted or depressing …)
3. Finding a friendly email in my inbox (or, in my real mailbox, but who writes real letters anymore?)
4. The first sip of coffee in the morning; the first sip of tea in the evening when I’m relaxing after my shower. There’s just something nice about that moment of sitting down with a beverage and not having to DO anything for at least a few minutes.
5. Getting compliments on something I’ve knitted or baked–because who doesn’t like to feel appreciated?
Hi Deb, Those are great ones! I can relate especially to #2. (I usually have better luck with books than films.)
I usually have better luck with books than movies, too, but the feeling of anticipation just as the lights dim and a movie studio’s logo comes up on the screen? It’s like Christmas morning before you find out that half your presents have underwear in them. (grin)
And, #1–Chappy would make you smile, too, I’m sure of it! He’s happy that way!
Howdy, Joanna! (I knew you were there all the time.;-)
Brad, I’d be happy to share novel titles – although mine are usually (but not always) science fiction.
1. A full pantry.
2. Spotting ISS in the evening sky.
3. That first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.
4. Feeding the squirrels.
5. Books. Any kind.
Brad,
a wonderful idea! I am late again – due to a very busy week, but here are my favourite fives:
1. reading a blog post like yours
2. roses – all colours
3. reading a good book (I like all kinds of books, but I am fascinated by historical novels – make me dive into other worlds)
4. talks with friends
5. having a cool beer (the first sip is the best!)
Cindy, How wonderful that you can see the Pacific. The ocean has such a calming effect.
Ulla, We will have to compare notes on historical novels one day – that’s one of my favorite genres as well.
Thanks both of you for participating – it’s never too late around here.
Brad, try Lay’s Kettle Cooked Original Extra Crunchy Potato Chips. By actual count of a serving at lunch today, 83% of the product would make you a happy camper re little thing # 2! Your actual results may vary.
Bill, Thanks for the Chip Tip – this could potentially change my life.
Hi Brad,
I think Rosa is very brave with regard to her 5am starts in the morning, particularly in cases where the weather is not so favorable.
Anyhow, five things which make me happy:
(1) watching a Mr. Bean movie;
(2) watching my cats play with each other (better yet, watching how cats who run away from me at other times suddenly want to become my best friend at around breakfast or dinner time);
(3) taking a short bike ride through the rice paddies and hills near the town wear I live;
(4) having my Australian Rules Football team actually winning as many games as they are losing (in the past four years, my team, Essendon, has finished near the bottom;
(5) the thought of going home in two months time.
Andrew, That’s a great list – glad you are excited about your return home. #4 is one I can relate to. The last time the Chicago Cubs won the baseball World Series was 1908.
hi mr. Brad,
5 things that makes me happy are:
1. My girlfriend
2. Friends
3. Chocolates
4. Watching anime
5. playing basketball
Hi Jullius, Very good choices there. You can definitely work up an appetite for chocolate playing hoops.