Recently a fellow blogger, StephJ, invited me to take part in a blogging challenge–”Happiness: 101 Simple Things.” I’m probably way behind everyone else who participated. Anyway, here’s my list. My life is more or less a joyful one. Here and there, I can identify things that make me happy too.

How about you? Maybe some of the things on my list make you happy too. So-called simple things count. In fact, it’s probably the simple things that make happiness go on and on. They’re usually low-cost as well.

101 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Knowing I can be happy
2. Belonging to a church community
3. Serving others
4. Hearing my son’s deep bass chuckle
5. Watching my granddaughter dance
6. Drinking a hot cup of tea
7. Telling a joke well
8. Laughing when someone tells a good joke
9. Fresh sheets on the bed
10. Being satisfied with what I have
11. Farmer’s markets
12. Eating dark chocolate
13. Being in the groove when writing
14. Reading the start of a new book
15. Thunderstorms
16. Experimenting with recipes
17. When the recipe turns out
18. Baking just about anything
19. A good chick flick
20. Drinking strong coffee
21. The smell of coffee brewing
22. Cuddling with my bunny
23. Watching my bunny hop and run fast
24. Receiving personal mail. You know, a card or letter
25. Stargazing
26. The scent of fresh-mown grass
27. Watching fireflies in the dark
28. Browsing bookstores
29. Browsing office supply stores
30. Picking out just the right card for someone
31. Receiving a card that’s just right for me
32. Swimming leisurely
33. Playing Scrabble
34. Playing euchre
35. Wearing cool bracelets
36. Wearing all kinds of earrings
37. Getting a good haircut
38. Reading my Bible
39. That ozone smell after the rain
40. When the movie comes out so close to the book
41. Eating a quality steak cooked just right
42. Waking up without pain
43. Watching a herd of deer in a field
44. Watching wild turkeys cross the road
45. Discovering a new show on Netflix
46. Discovering a good foreign film
47. Recycling all that I can
48. Watching a well-done documentary
49. The smell of a quality lotion on my skin
50. Sincere hugs
51. Listening to music by Mozart
52. Discovering a new musician whose music I like
53. Sleeping in when I can
54. Naps on Sunday after church
55. Watching my blue betta swim around in his bowl
56. Learning something new
57. A cuddly sweater
58. Things being in order
59. Snagging a great photo
60. Singing
61. The sound of my mantel clock chiming
62. Campfires
63. S’mores at the campfire
64. All my nails the same length
65. My nails painted with no mistakes
66. 75-degree weather with no humidity
67. Worshiping God through prayer
68. Going to a classical music concert
69. Listening to “Carmina Burana”
70. String quartets
71. Carrying a cloth handkerchief in my purse
72. Being within budget
73. Increasing my vocabulary
74. Watching blue herons
75. Wearing my multi-colored animal print dress
76. The sight of storm clouds rolling in
77. Watching bats circle overhead
78. Finding a bargain
79. When the bargain is something I need
80. Writing with a pen that feels good in my hand
81. Using doilies
82. Listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio
83. Watching the Tigers play at Comerica Park
84. A successful workout
85. Employing active verbs in my writing
86. Finishing a long book
87. When a book has a satisfying end
88. Someone returning a smile
89. When an editor says, “Yes”
90. The availability of subtitles in a DVD movie “setup”
91. Journaling
92. Meeting with my mentor
93. Solitude and silence when I need it
94. My grandson’s youthful wisdom
95. “Reunions” resulting from Facebook connections
96. My general practitioner’s sense of humor
97. Entertaining friends in my home
98. Going to the movies with Gina
99. Shopping at the thrift store with my sister
100. Hearing children giggle, especially babies
101. Knowing my eternal destiny is secure

101 simple things that make me happy is a long list, but I could probably think of more. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. I enjoy many things. Let me know in your comments what makes you happy.

That would make me happy today.

And remember to be a blessing to someone today.