Can You List Five Things that are Making You Happy?

I was reading a book about a month ago that encouraged me to make a list of things that give me joy and then try to check off 50 different times a week that those things are present.

I dutifully got out a paper and pencil and started to make a list.

And I couldn’t even find 5 things that were bringing me joy. So I cried and felt sorry for myself. Then I decided the whole exercise was stupid and told Rob my unvarnished thoughts.

But after a week or so I came back to it and decided that maybe it was the word “joy” that was the problem. Maybe that word was too weighty and I could substitute “happy” or “make me smile”. Then the list was a little easier.

I still wasn’t sure I could check off 50 times a week those things were making me smile – but I decided that it wasn’t about the number, it was about paying attention and thanking God for each and every small moment of delight. Want to hear a few of my things?

1. Sneaking ice cream with Rob after we’ve put the children to bed, and before one of them comes in needing to be re-tucked.
2. Doing something silly and having one of my girls declare “you’re the weirdest mom ever”.
3. Using a fancy body scrub in the shower, or a “shower bomb” aromatherapy.
4. Taking a nap (without feeling guilty).
5. Listening to my oldest read her (current) favorite book series out loud to her sister (for hours on end).

It’s not a very profound or long list. But it has been helpful for me on the hard days to remember that even if the day is hard, not every moment is hard. And that just because a day is hard, doesn’t mean the day is bad.

Could you name 50 moments of delight in your past week? Or do you need someone to tell you it’s okay to look for one at a time and forget about counting?

Our joy comes from knowing that Christ is with us in every moment, and will never leave or forsake us. Our joy comes from knowing we belong to Him and he will not let us go. Our joy comes from being redeemed daughters who are clothed in righteousness.

And sometimes the clouds lift for a moment and the Lord gives us the ability to delight in small gifts, answered prayers, and seconds of time where we can’t help but smile.

Now I’m off to contemplate what flavor of ice cream I will sneak tonight.