We grouse and complain. The weather is too hot. In a few months, we’ll be complaining again that it’s too cold. We’re like a little kid who is impossible to please. One minute he wants vanilla, the next he wants chocolate.
I hate when I get into that mood.

Here’s my simple attempt to turn the tide of complaining and see the good things in life. Here’s my list of eight things that make me happy. Most of these items cost nothing, but are still invaluable. The list changes daily, but they’re the eight things that stick out to me today. Hopefully you can relate:
- A dog or a cat. It’s hard to complain when man’s best friends stares back at you.
- A hug that says: I see you, I hear you, I get you.
- Simplicity, organization, and authenticity in any form.
- Photos of family members on vacation or during happy times.

- Technology that makes life easier.
- Hearing an old song, out of the blue, that I used to love. The song brings back memories of people and places that I care about and haven’t thought of in a long time.
- A new journal and pen.
- Kindness and generosity and people who give freely of themselves.
What makes you happy?
Related posts:
Discover more from Writing from the Heart with Brian
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Finding God’s “love notes” while I’m struggling with the onset of Crohn’s disease. (Winsome reviews for the new book which I haven’t been able to do radio interviews for, learning that five different book clubs will be reading my first book this fall, one woman posting that my “Leora books” are her all-time favorites!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that’s awesome Joy! It really is the small things that make a huge difference. Thanks for sharing. 😄😄😎😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best things in life are free/simplest forms of happiness. Great list, Brian – and listing the things that make us happy often help us out of those bluey feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bluey feelings. A great way of describing it. Thanks Ab. 😌😌😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
simple joys for sure, a surprise conversation with a stranger
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that’s a good one Beth. Even for an introvert like myself, that’s still good! 🤣🤣🤣😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
As someone who is on vacation taking pictures, I resonate with that one. May they keep us warm through those too cold months! And I miss my dog!! Great list, Brian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a tough Thursday. I wrote this piece last Friday and I thought about delaying it. I was in kind of a grumpy mood. But I’m so glad I posted.
LikeLike
A perfect list. I would include a sunny day with nothing much to do but read a book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that’s such a good one Darlene. I worked in my yard tonight just so I can read tomorrow! 🤣😎😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thunder rumbling in the distance. The smell of rain as the first fat drops hit the earth after a dry spell. A beautiful sunrise or sunset. Double rainbows. The sky, five minutes before it starts to snow. The sound of my wife’s infectious laughter. The opening chords of a favorite song, especially the eight cymbal taps that kick off “Goin’ Against Your Mind.” Cracking open a beer at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. The writer’s high. Coming home to the smell of a crockpot meal. The anticipation of a new episode of a favorite TV show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an amazing list. Love all these. 4:30 on a Friday and writer’s high are one and two for me. Love this. Thanks for sharing! 😎😎😎😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Brian. Those are two of my faves as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfectly stated. So much yelling, screaming and chaos in our world today – all unnecessary if we could only learn to accept others and be happy…everything on your list brings happiness and contentment and why shouldn’t that be everyone’s end goal? Here’s to a happy weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, here’s to a happy weekend! I was going to delay this piece. I got some crummy work news on Thursday … but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I needed to run my “happy” piece. Thanks John!
LikeLike
What a perfect list! What makes me happy? I’m going through my photos of Red and Mrs. trying to think about a book using the sharpest photos. I’m looking for a spark of a story. Also, when we lived in Palm Springs, I complained that we only had one or two weeks of good weather. It was either too hot, or too cold. Only two weeks were just right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Red and the Mrs. … love those additions. You made me laugh saying only two weeks of nice weather in Palm Springs. Perspective really is in the eye of the beholder. In Pennsylvania, we always joke that it’s too hot or too cold. I tend to make broad generalizations. “Oh it’s always sunny and beautiful in California!” Forgetting that California is a huge state. Thanks for the reminder Elizabeth! Happiness is a state of mind! 😎😎😎
LikeLike
I find volunteering at the food pantry a reset. Helping people get what they need, especially when I see something and judge, then re-think. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for even when it’s hot and my t-shirt is soaked in sweat. A lot. Peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thanks for the perspective! And good for you volunteering! Thanks for sharing Clay!
LikeLike
Oh….you know me! You had me with #7…a winner every time! Thank you, Brian! 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all need a hug some days. I almost didn’t post this today. I’m glad I did Vicki! 😎😎😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰❤️🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Wonderful List Brian…
There are certainly Lots of things that we can be grateful for, and all you have mentioned make me happy xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that’s great Sue! I’m glad you liked the list. So many things to be grateful!😎😎😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve felt complainy lately. The heat and humidity have been getting to me. This was a lovely post.
I’ve been working on my next 100 things post and I love that I have almost 100 more things. 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you Kari. Funny how these posts bring on more gratitude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, thanks Jennie. I appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Brian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great List! Hanging with family, chocolate ice cream, dinner with friends, and the last walk of the night with the two dogs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your additions. Such a great list. Ha, ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of the above and add a healthy dose of chocolate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh those are some great additions!!!! 😎😎
LikeLike
All of these resonate, Brian, but #8 & 5 the most. Nowadays, a day without pain is a good one. The joys of our bodies getting older. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, a day without pain is good one!!! This getting older thing is not for the feint of heart! Ha ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It beats the alternative, but is still tough to take at times. Happy Monday, Brian! Hope it’s a good one! 🙂
LikeLike