In the interest of starting out 2017 on a positive note,  I am compiling a list of my favorite things.  Things that make me happy, help me to feel better when I am worn out or down about the way my life is going at that moment, things that can turn around a bad mood and make me easier to be around.  The people close to me should take note of this list.  It may come in handy.  Family and friends are my absolute favorites, but every little thing helps.

  1. Tea.  Tea time is break time.  Every day, at least once, (more if I am having a rough go of it) I sit down with a cup of strong tea with milk and sugar.  It is the  five minutes I take for myself in the midst of my endless, interrupted to do list.  It is my saving grace multiple times a week.

2. My electric blanket.  As someone who is frequently cold,  there is nothing better at the                end of a long day than climbing into a warm bed, especially in the middle of a Minnesota winter.

3.  A full night’s sleep.  With an infant in the house, I’m not sure when the last time this happened was but I am ready any time.  To be able to decide for myself when I am done sleeping would be an incredible luxury.

4.  New socks.  Nothing like brand new socks.  I love them. I always have.  I ask my sister for them every year for Christmas.

5.  Unrequested assistance.  Whether it be a clean kitchen, a folded load of laundry or some time off from telling Gigi to get out of the sink , help that I don’t have to ask for is the best kind of help.  It is always appreciated.

6.  A long walk with a friend.  Getting some exercise, a break from the grind, and a good conversation all at the same time. What could be better?  I wish I could make this happen every day.

7.  Sweatpants. Need I say more?

8.  A welcome phone call.  A phone call from a friend or favorite relative when you spend a large portion of your day with little people who cannot commiserate with the bad day you are having makes all the difference.

9.  Starting a new artsy project. Something about opening up a new can of paint or firing up the old glue gun can brighten up a day and put a smile on my face.  Feeding the creative spirit cures bad moods and boredom.

10.  Finally finishing an artsy project that was started months ago.  Sometimes life gets away from me or the mood passes, but finally biting the bullet and putting the finishing touches on that thing that has been staring at you from the corner can give such a sense of accomplishment.

11.  A fresh coat of paint. On anything. Clean and fabulous. Especially if it is a new, fun color.

12.  Sunshine.  Some days it is all that keeps me upright.

13.  Dinner that someone else made.  I don’t care if it’s a bowl of cereal as long as I had nothing to do with it’s preparation.

14. Veterinary shows.   I love vet shows. Ask my husband.  He waits patiently for them to be over so we can watch a “real” show.  Something about pulling calves and helping sick pets draws me in. It may be I am sentimental about my farmer roots.

15.  A hot shower.  With no time limit, interruptions, or shortage of hot.

I could come up with more.

Through the course of this exercise, a few things have occurred to me. First off, I am pretty lucky. I actually experience my favorite things with some frequency. I have to wait longer for some than others and I actually have some control over some of them.  I should be grateful.  I find myself complaining about cleaning the kitchen for the fourth time in a day or having to remind someone, often more than once, to finish their job.  I have these “problems” because I have so much not because I am lacking.

Favorite things don’t have to be expensive or hard to find. Everyone has them. Your favorite drink, your favorite chair and your favorite lunch all count.

I have everything I need to be happy.  I just have to focus on that fact.  This list of favorites will serve as a reminder of all of the little things that can help me to get through tough days. I think the little things that we do for ourselves and that others take the time to do because they care makes all the difference. My goal for the coming year is to remember that I can choose to focus on one happy moment at a time.  I can choose to be grateful.