Spring is here! It’s Holy Week, and Easter is upon us! What a beautiful time to ruminate on those things that bring us joy! Our topic this time around is 10 things that make you happy. Check it out!
Parker Broaddus
Author of A Hero’s Curse & Nightrage Rising
Stop. It’s Happy Time. Can’t Touch This.
As I alluded to in the intro, when it comes to joy and happiness, the fact that it’s springtime and Easter are going to be somewhere on the list. With that, I’ll jump right in – ordered according to how they came to mind, as opposed to a hierarchy of importance.
- I have so enjoyed getting to watch movies and shows with my wife and kiddos this winter. We have gotten to participate in some amazing stories, some of which I grew up with and am finally getting to share with them! (I’m looking at you, Star Wars: A New Hope). I found unexpected delight in getting to dive into a story with the kids, and interestingly, was able to appreciate the story in a way I hadn’t before. That was cool. A sampling of the kind of thing I’m talking about: we’ve been reading Little House on the Prairie, Hank the Cowdog, and Nancy Drew. We’ve seen Home Alone, The Court Jester, lots of old Disney movies, (Robin Hood! The Lion King!), the 1977 version of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings series, and more.
- The weather. Every day with blue skies and white puffy clouds hanging high over our green, rolling pastureland feels like nothing more than a miraculous gift after winter. Every daffodil is like finding water on Mars. Getting to take off the heavy coats and soak up warm sunshine feels like coming out of a tomb. Which brings me to…
- Easter. And Christmas. I love these two holy days, and the days and weeks surrounding them. They are special times of the year that are sure to make my list of happiness, in large part because it brings me back to the source of joy itself.
- Holidays in general. The 4th of July. Thanksgiving. Birthdays. It’s lovely to get to pause our work and full schedules to share time with friends and family.
- Food. Good food. This is a fun one, as we often participate in this one about three times a day.
- Morning coffee. I do a French press, and there is something delightful about that first sip of coffee in the day. I limit myself to my morning brew, which comes to about two cups of coffee. That’s happiness in a cup.
- Morning routine. I love a good routine. I’m still trying to hammer it out here after the move, but when it works, it sings. I roll out of bed without an alarm (that’s not really true – I have five alarm clocks, which we have given names and feed daily), and then I putter out, do my routine, sit for a few minutes in our living room and watch the eastern hills for the sunrise with our two-year-old Half-Pint. About that time the water boils and whistles and I start the French press…now that doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, it’s a gift.
- Green pastures, rolling hills, board fences, old barns, happy animals and…well, I guess our farm kindof captures this one. Farming.
- Spending time with dear friends–over a pint, or a pipe–talking about family, faith, life, or nothing much at all.
- A job well done. I do a lot of projects, some smaller, and some larger building and construction jobs. There is something deeply satisfying about stepping back and seeing something that is well made and beautiful. I suppose I could say the same about writing. I do enjoy writing, and there is something fulfilling as I sit back and see a well crafted sentence, chapter, or manuscript.
Ahhh…Happiness.
Robin Lythgoe
Author of As the Crow Flies
Thinking of this topic had me humming Julie Andrews songs. Just a Spoonful of Sugar. My Favorite Things. Whistle a Happy Tune. (Am I dating myself? And can you tell I used to watch a lot of musicals?) Happy things—happy thoughts—are like magic. You hold them for a little while, think about how they make you feel and…
Patricia Reding
Author of Oathtaker
… I believe that finding joy and expressing gratitude are two of the most important things we can do for our health—physical and mental. So . . . I am grateful for moments like:
1. Grandbaby. The top of my list right now has to be the grandbaby that I am awaiting. She, due in August, will be my first. I am beyond elated!
2. Children Meeting Goals. Great joy comes when your children meet their goals at any stage in life. My middle child will graduate with her dual Masters degrees from the University of Pittsburgh this spring and will then begin in her new position with the Mayo system. No one could be more deserving of the success she is experiencing, and I could not be more proud of her.
So, what’s on your top ten list?
I can practically smell that coffee and envision that sunrise! Thank you for sharing, Parker!