rachel's blog

What brings you joy?

On February 8, 2007, I set out to find my answer to that question. Well, 101 answers, to be precise. Thing #19 on my list of “101 Things to Do in 1001 Days” is to “identify 101 things that bring me joy.” Over the past sixteen months, I have gradually compiled this list.

:: 101 Things That Bring Me Joy ::

1. hearty laughter.
2. cheering my team to victory.
3. Beethoven’s Pathetique.
4. waking up to snow.
5. seeing a full moon in a clear sky.
6. still being able to smile at the end of a long, difficult day.
7. playing piano without having to think about what I’m playing.
8. potlucks.
9. being reminded that not all of the wonderful men in the world are married.
10. creating something.
11. listening to an amazing pianist play my piano.
12. vanilla ice cream with strawberries.
13. comfortable new shoes.
14. the honk of Canadian geese.
15. Tevas.
16. feeling well again after being sick.
17. Sunday lunch invitations.
18. delicious fresh fruit.
19. line-dried sheets.
20. sunshine after many cloudy days.
21. seeing a meteor.
22. stimulating conversation.
23. making a brand new recipe that turns out to be amazing.
24. the change of seasons.
25. eggs.
26. coming up with a surprisingly creative idea.
27. a huge, cushy bed.
28. adorable, talkative, excited children.
29. ceremonies that involve gowns (weddings, graduations).
30. hilarious people whose emails make me laugh out loud.
31. donating blood.
32. freshly painted walls.
33. being right.
34. a good backrub.
35. four-part harmony (or five or six…).
36. clear blue sky on a crisp fall day.
37. reconnecting with old friends.
38. things that make sense.
39. certain single men.
40. discounts, coupons, sales, and free things!
41. comments on my blog.
42. finishing a complicated report!
43. hearing that two wonderful people are engaged.
44. whistling.
45. learning to play the hammered dulcimer.
46. walking on crunchy leaves.
47. hitting all green lights when I’m in a hurry.
48. getting lost in a good book.
49. seeing a Cuban immigrant at the grocery store… and knowing her name.
50. realizing I didn’t make a huge blunder after all.
51. a good compliment.
52. getting into a sun-warmed car on a chilly day.
53. feeling beautiful.
54. accents.
55. getting the answers I need.
56. going to bed early.
57. remembering that I am loved with an Everlasting Love.
58. writer’s UN-block
59. aha moments.
60. knowing that I made a wise decision.
61. being caught up after getting behind.
62. successfully doing a new thing.
63. hope.
64. waking up and realizing that there’s still another hour ’til my alarm will go off.
65. finally doing something that has been hanging over my head.
66. walking in a winter wonderland.
67. finishing another semester of classes.
68. seeing the world encased in ice.
69. long-overdue reconciliation.
70. the miracle of conception and birth.
71. adorable aprons for adorable little boys.
72. my storybook address.
73. hearing Bible Quizzers answer questions correctly.
74. a Thursday afternoon epiphany.
75. the perfect color of lipstick.
76. discovering that my evening class has been canceled.
77. royal blue.
78. second dates.
79. finding the courage to do a difficult thing.
80. yellow crocuses.
81. leaving my coat at home.
82. a good soaking rain.
83. smooth, shaven legs.
84. good posture.
85. losing weight on purpose.
86. a super-soft shirt.
87. wonderfully busy weekends.
88. colorful birds against a dreary gray sky.
89. daylight savings time.
90. being myself.
91. learning from my mistakes.
92. a warm welcome.
93. the smell of freshly mown grass.
94. shrimp with Old Bay seasoning.
95. curtains blowing in the breeze.
96. a rainbow in a dark sky.
97. working up a good sweat.
98. naps.
99. class (the kind you have, not the kind you attend).
100. lightening bugs.
101. reminiscing.