Today I am devoting my blog to a list of things that make me smile. It is important for us to remember what makes us happy so that in times when we are feeling sad or depressed we can turn to these things to reconnect with comfort and joy. Please feel free to share what makes you smile!
- A baby laughing
- Flowers Blooming
- Ice Cream (especially Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby!)
- A purring cat
- Listening to my favorite CD
- Blogging
- Sleeping
- A warm shower
- Snuggling with my partner
- Watching my children sleep
- Finishing a tough project at work
- Engaging in a challenging conversation that allows me to challenge my beliefs and grow
- Comforting a friend
- Laughing until my stomach hurts
- Lattes
- Walks in the forest
- Listening to the waves crash on the beach
Today, 324 days ’til 40, I will remember what makes me smile. When I find myself in moments of despair, I will remember to engage in activities that will turn my sorrow into joy. I give thanks for having many things in my life that make me smile. What a gift!
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
Little Miss
April 3, 2012 at 00:11
Lovely post.
Making others smile is what makes me smile x
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:14
Ah, great point!!!!
deanjbaker
April 3, 2012 at 00:17
🙂
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:14
🙂 !!!
jensine
April 3, 2012 at 00:21
Sunflowers and rainbows and dancing to ABBA while I cook … also a good kiss and cuddle or seeing someone I love after a long time. Remembering what made me happy, dreams that I hope will come true and watching people on the street … just to name a few
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:13
These are great! 😉
becca3416
April 3, 2012 at 00:22
Always good to remember and give credit to the things that make us smile. Personally, I smile when I hear all my favorite songs on the radio on the drive home from work, when my best friend sends me silly text messages throughout the day, and when I have a sunny weekend day to write in my bed with the balcony door wide open (and a big coffee). Enjoy your posts.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:13
I LOVE writing with a big cup of coffee next to me…. I feel very cozy and nostalgic! 🙂
Karen Berthine
April 3, 2012 at 00:32
Colorful, handknit socks!
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:12
Oooooo… I LOVE to knit, though knitting socks would make me swear more than smile… but knitting a scarf or gloves or a beanie for a newborn – priceless! 😉
sunfishyoga
April 3, 2012 at 00:48
I really enjoyed this one….it’s so important to smile, and to be grateful for all the good things in life. For me it’s family and my son’s jokes, yoga and catching up with friends, gardening, cooking, singing along to my favourite music, a warm bath after a run…. and many more!
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:11
Thanks so much and thanks for adding to the list! 😉
allthingsboys
April 3, 2012 at 00:55
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens…well you know the rest. Nice thoughtful blog. You really made me stop and take stock! Thanks!
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:10
Thank you! And I love that song! (and now I can’t get it out of my head!!!) 🙂
viveka
April 3, 2012 at 01:18
What make me smile ??
– children laughter’s
– cute animals
– helpful people
– onxynorm (my pain killer)
– the ocean
– the flowers
– good wine
– great food
– a man with humor
= life in general
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:09
I love what you added here! 🙂
viveka
April 3, 2012 at 11:05
Thanks … I’m sure there is more I love and list and be endless .. it all depends on me in the moment.
buckwheatsrisk
April 3, 2012 at 01:50
*big smile* 🙂
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:08
😉
norinep
April 3, 2012 at 02:00
It’s good to have things that make you smile, and sometimes it’s good to have things that make you cry! 🙂
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:08
Good point, I agree!
Louise Behiel
April 3, 2012 at 02:09
nice list. I’d add playing with my grandchildren.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:08
Yes, I think many readers would!!! 🙂
writerwannabe763
April 3, 2012 at 02:12
Eating a butterscotch or chocolate sundae..at my age lol
Reading a book with a child or helping them color in the coloring book
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:07
Great additions!
walkwiththerabbi
April 3, 2012 at 02:33
Great reminder. I’ve been having a somewhat melancholy day. Here’s something worth a chuckle-How long would W W 2 have lasted if Hitler’s first name was Skip? Answer-probably not very long at all. I hope this has brought a smile to your face.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:06
We all have melancholy days…. I hope yours got better!
slimpickins
April 3, 2012 at 02:57
Dancing, ice skating, Pygmy goats, puppies, rainbows after a nice thunderstorm. Those are just a few.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:03
And all wonderful!
seasonurlife
April 3, 2012 at 03:38
I like laughing until my stomach hurts. It’s a fun and you end up getting a mini workout too ;).
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:02
Me too!
Gail L Palmer
April 3, 2012 at 04:18
Laughing – a lot.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 04:32
🙂 Me too!!!
rabidmongoose
April 3, 2012 at 04:35
Listening to young people say the same silly things I used to say, and realizing we’re all on a journey. Great topic!
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:55
I like that one too! Or listening to my daughters say silly thing by accident?, 😉
Geordon
April 3, 2012 at 04:51
Some good ones there! I’ve got a couple to add. First, the smell of a lilac bush in bloom (just happened this week). Second, the Old Spice whistle tune. I’ve got it as my email alert tone on my smartphone and I smile every time it goes off.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:54
What great additions!!! 🙂
Southern Cricut Lady
April 3, 2012 at 07:10
I love sitting outside listening to the birds and watching my cats play. I also love rainy evenings just watching it and hearing it fall. I love blogging and making paper crafts (mainly cards). Thanks for the nice post to remind us all of how wonderful some of these simple joys really are! ~Vanessa
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:52
You are welcome! I also love the rain! And watching my cats! 🙂
kyllingsara
April 3, 2012 at 07:12
In danger of sounding like a cliché: chocolate. I almost had an orgasm once while eating, no inhaling, a truffle.
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:51
This made me laugh! I can relate! Even healthy chocolate can have this effect! 😉
bleneraida
April 3, 2012 at 10:22
I think what make me smile the most is to see people happy and nice with each other. I would even say see my family and loved ones be happy.
Nice post, and very true, we ll need to remember what simple things in life can make you smile and forget all the bad things that can surround us.
Have a wonderful day!
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:50
Thank you!
mskatykins
April 3, 2012 at 12:02
Great post! 🙂
Music makes me smile.
Memories that flash back of times when I was silly with my mates/did something embarrassing, that makes me smile.
Laughing ’til it hurts/I cry/can’t breathe!
Making other people smile.
Unexpected snail mail from friends etc.
Tea
400daystil40
April 3, 2012 at 13:50
Great list!!! I love getting snail mail (and packages too!)
mskatykins
April 3, 2012 at 14:17
Thanks – I’m telling you, it’s life’s little pleasures that rock the most! 🙂
Intermittante
April 3, 2012 at 14:29
Cats! Preferably my own two silly tomcats. This morning they were chasing each other through the living room whilst we were trying to wake up. And the fat one got up on his hind legs to slap the other one on the head with slightly retracted pussy-paws. Remembering that just got me over a bit of a sad thought. And your post inspired me to think of what made me happy today.
Here’s another cat-thing that made me happy today. How do you like my new desktop? 😛
http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/4522/34944923.4/0_7bf49_2cfed055_-1-XXXL
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:18
Thanks for your post and for the lovely link! My family and I all laughed when we saw it – I am sure the readers will enjoy it too! 🙂
sofichick
April 3, 2012 at 15:25
Wow, how timely. I was reminded of this yesterday…Had a rough day. Was feeling really sad and later in the day when I had to take my older son to work, I decided to drive around with my younger son and just take a few photos to take my mind off things. A little while into the drive around town photo shoot, my son said he wanted to stop and have dinner so rather than just pick up something to take back home, I decided to eat out and just hang out the two of us. We talked and he did some silly things and we laughed….soon I was feeling better…thankful that I had him in my life to bring me those moments of smiles. It really works. 🙂
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:16
Wow, what a great experience you had and thank you for sharing it with the readers here! You are so right, sometimes taking those moments to unwind with someone we love can turn our moods around. I am glad you had a good time with your son. Isn’t it amazing how our kids will brighten our days without even realizing they are doing it?
🙂
MixerUpper
April 3, 2012 at 17:08
Nice post! But you forgot to mention great food. 😉
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:14
You are so right, how on earth could I forget to do that? Yes, great food definitely brings a smile to my face!!! 🙂
Stephy
April 3, 2012 at 17:50
Couldn’t agree more.
After All, I try to focus every blog post I write on something that has made me smile.
🙂
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:14
🙂 I love it!
fluffyphoton
April 3, 2012 at 18:03
Sweet memories…you see, I love Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and there’s this part in the movie when Jumba was watching a sad Stitch flipping the pages of a book telling the story of the ugly duckling, and said – “You see, I never gave him a greater purpose. What must it be like to have nothing…not even memories to visit”.
There’s always something down memory lane that can put the heart to smile (the facial smile can come later…) Well, that’s why the present is the eternal now. If you knew you once had a smiling heart, it’ll always be there.
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:13
Yes, I agree with you completely! Thanks for the great comment! 🙂
Upfrontmen
April 3, 2012 at 19:01
Helping others makes me smile..
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:11
Me too! 🙂
simon7banks
April 3, 2012 at 19:56
I’ll go with the purring cat, but some of those things, such as the waves or the challenging conversation, make me happy or excited but not smiling. In cut and thrust I gather I look quite fierce, because alert and excited. The waves make me calm – too calm to smile.
I smile at something unexpectedly comical like a double meaning in written text, or at suddenly seeing a possible word play. I smile when meeting a friend I haven’t seen for some time. I smile when I find something unexpectedly good, unless I’m eating or drinking it, in which case the mouth is otherwise engaged.
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:11
Thanks for your input -great additions! Yes, I love it when I get to laugh at a random life circumstance/ etc.! 🙂
Dave Knickerbocker
April 3, 2012 at 20:58
What makes me smile:
-My awesome wife
-A great blog that helps put things into perspective (thanks)
-A God who makes it all possible.
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:10
Thanks for your great comment! Judging by your photo, a large cup of coffee or tea also make you smile!!! 😉
Cathy
April 3, 2012 at 23:24
Today I smiled when I smelt spring after a short April shower in my Mum’s garden! 🙂
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 04:08
I LOVE that smell!!! 😉
Linda Willows
April 4, 2012 at 03:08
the smell of blossoms in the air in spring
roses, sleeping with fragrant petals next to my face
the sound and feel of a cat purring
the countryside on a blue sky day
waking up and having the first sip of coffee before creative time.
the sound of either of my sons’ voices.
Feeling the Certainty that a Divine Beloved, a God of us All exists.
400daystil40
April 4, 2012 at 03:59
Yes! All great ones! 🙂
A Light Filled Life
April 4, 2012 at 04:39
Genuine smiles make me happy. Receiving one or giving one. God wants us to be happy and I find if I am feeling low I can focus on the Fruits of the Spirit to re-focus. It always gets me back on the happy track!
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:36
Thanks for your great comment, I agree that giving a smile can have a huge effect…… 🙂
Spider42
April 4, 2012 at 12:53
Nice. Really like your list.
And since you asked so nicely, here’s some stuff off the top of my head that I love:
– the smell of the air and dry dirt/earth just before and just it starts to rain.
– finishing a piece that I’ve been writing for sometime but not finished at one sitting.
– clear, starry skies.
– barbecuing with my friends and talking crap.
cheers!
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:30
Great additions, I love all those things to… and suddenly I am hungry for a good BBQ! 😛
Spider42
April 5, 2012 at 09:41
One’s happy to help.
Try making yourself a morrocan lamb burger, found the recipe by chance but with the harissa paste to go with it, its heavenly!
catbird365
April 4, 2012 at 17:03
Dr. Seuss books, spaghetti, wool socks, oyster catchers with their bright orange beaks
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:26
oh yes, Dr. Seuss is so much fun! 🙂
pamela68
April 4, 2012 at 19:03
Your blog is what makes me happy. My daughter has pnamonia, my son is sick, and I have a scratched cornia. I will now rest with my children and listen to a book on tape, and talk about our favorite things with a smile on our faces thanks to you. Have a blessed day and keep up the great blogging!
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:26
Thank you so much, Pamela, for your kind words! I hope your kids feel better soon!
pamela68
April 5, 2012 at 18:38
We all started feeling better today…the power of beauty and image…thank you
The Quiet Borderline
April 4, 2012 at 21:01
Today, for me, was seeing the first smiles of my 7 week old niece.
Beautiful and so cute.
The Quiet Borderline
http://quietbpd.wordpress.com/
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:24
Oh, how sweet! 🙂
The Quiet Borderline
April 5, 2012 at 19:32
Certainly was.
ssgt leslie
April 5, 2012 at 04:08
watching my service dog, lizzy, having fun running around with her toy football. that makes me smile.
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 04:11
Yes, it is so wonderful watching our pets play!
ssgt leslie
April 6, 2012 at 01:28
agree, it is…
istopforsuffering
April 5, 2012 at 14:08
Wonderful post 🙂
400daystil40
April 5, 2012 at 14:24
Why thank you!!!
elpulloverazul
April 5, 2012 at 15:00
hi! i have thought this issue lately and i found that i dont smile very often. or i consider that. many people say i have a nice smile and it comes spontaneously and looks very honest. i can not force an smile but it doesnt come with any thing.
warm cup of tea after a long day at work. cold air outside in the morning. water running over my face in the rain. noise from the fireplace. feel the sleep coming into my eyes.
your posts make me think a lot….thanks for that. it is a wonderful blog!
s
400daystil40
April 6, 2012 at 04:16
Thank you for your great comment, and I hope your life circumstances shift and you find you are smiling more.
400daystil40
April 6, 2012 at 14:17
😉 !!!
Intermittante
April 6, 2012 at 11:39
Hey, thanks for helping. http://sortaconvenient.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/what-makes-me-happy/
400daystil40
April 6, 2012 at 14:16
🙂
Happy Acupuncturist
April 7, 2012 at 20:17
Great post!
It’s so important to remember and appreciate the good stuff that colour our days. I blogged a similar topic http://happyacupuncturist.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/what-things-in-life-make-you-happy/ but I’m nowhere as eloquent as you are.
400daystil40
April 8, 2012 at 05:17
Thank you so much for sharing your post here with the readers – I love it! And I do think you are as eloquent as I am (maybe even more so!!) 🙂
Eve Redwater
April 10, 2012 at 01:44
Reading poetry by my favourite poets always makes me smile! Also, teeny tiny birds hopping on a tree… so cute. 😀
400daystil40
April 10, 2012 at 05:51
Great additions! My partner also loves poetry (I was never any good at understanding all the symbolism) – and birds are amazing…. and little ones adorable.
boomiebol
April 28, 2012 at 18:38
Good food
Family
My twin girls
Children
Running
Great books
Writing
Kind people like you taking time to read and like my posts
Shopping
Johnny Depp
Music
People
Acts of kindness and generosity
Life
THIS POST!!!
boomiebol
April 28, 2012 at 18:40
Tweeted this and will share on Facebook 🙂
400daystil40
April 28, 2012 at 19:22
🙂 🙂
400daystil40
April 28, 2012 at 20:48
Thank you so much! I LOVE the list you added to this post!!! 🙂
Zen and Genki
April 29, 2012 at 19:54
Good blog posts….like this!
🙂
anne
400daystil40
April 29, 2012 at 23:30
You are so kind! 🙂
stitchknit
May 1, 2012 at 01:16
Great post. Loved to read through the comments & ponder what brings a smile to my face.
-ditto to the cup of great coffee
-my dog. doing pretty much anything. he is a regular smile factory!
-ditto to the wearing of hand knit socks. my entire sock drawer is filled with socks I knit. Big Smile!
-crawling into bed with clean sheets that have been dried outside. heavenly smiles here…..
Thanks for posting such a great question!
400daystil40
May 1, 2012 at 18:20
I love this, my favorite is the sock drawer filled with socks you knitted!!!! 🙂 I have mastered caps, hats, fingerless gloves, scarves… even a sweater… but am scared to death of knitting socks!
stitchknit
May 1, 2012 at 20:41
If you’ve done all that knitting, you can do socks. Turning the heel is the typical cranky spot of knitting…….just trust the pattern, don’t think, just knit. Nothing like the feel of finishing not one, but two socks of your own! Great Big Smiles!
400daystil40
May 1, 2012 at 22:27
I think I will have to find a beginning pattern! Though with all the knitting I have done I have actually never knitted in the round – all flat! 🙂
stitchknit
May 5, 2012 at 01:14
Google Universal Sock Pattern. Almost guarantees success.
400daystil40
May 5, 2012 at 23:54
Thanks! 🙂
Yuki
May 2, 2012 at 20:45
The smell of Mom’s just-came-out-of-the-over-cookies always makes me smile! 🙂 Just thinking about it I’m getting a grin…. A walk through Central Park in NYC in the Spring brings a smile too :))
400daystil40
May 3, 2012 at 21:28
Yum! And I also agree with the Central Park walk in the spring – I have only been to NYC once in the spring and it was just gorgeous!
Jackie
May 2, 2012 at 22:09
Great topic! Things that make me smile include great books, sunshine, music, seeing new comments on blog posts, getting compliments, my children, my family, flowers.
400daystil40
May 3, 2012 at 21:26
Yes, I love family and flowers and blog comments!!! 🙂