Contentment and gratitude can come from some pretty simple things. Sometimes we just need to take stock. Not that you care about my life so much, but perhaps my list will provide the nudge you need to make your own. Mine is just short of 100. Yours can include as many as you like. And we can always add to them, can’t we?

What makes you happy? Here’s my list, not necessarily in order.

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 freshly 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 any kind of earrings
37. Getting a good haircut
38. Reading my Bible
39. That ozone smell after the rain
40. When the movie screenplay comes out so close to the book
41. Eating a quality steak cooked just right (a not-too-bloody pink)
42. Waking up without pain
43. Watching a herd of deer in a field
44. Watching wild turkeys cross the road
45. Encounters with any sort of wild critter
46. Discovering something new on Netflix
47. Discovering a good foreign film
48. Recycling all that I can
49. Watching a well-done documentary
50. The smell of a quality lotion on my skin
51. Sincere hugs
52. Listening to Mozart
53. Discovering a new musician whose music I like
54. Sleeping in when I can
55. Naps on Sunday after church
56. Watching my blue betta swim around in his bowl
57. Learning something new
58. A cuddly sweater
59. Things being in order
60. Snagging a great photo
61. Singing
62. The sound of my mantel clock chiming
63. Campfires
64. S’mores at the campfire
65. All my nails the same length
66. My nails painted with no mistakes
67. 75-degree weather with no humidity
68. Worshiping God through prayer
69. Going to a classical music concert
70. Listening to “Carmina Burana”
71. String quartets
72. Carrying a cloth handkerchief in my purse
73. Being within budget
74. Increasing my vocabulary
75. Watching blue herons
76. Hearing children giggle, especially babies
77. Wearing my multi-colored animal print dress
78. The sight of storm clouds rolling in
79. Watching bats circle overhead
80. Finding a bargain
81. When the bargain is something I need
82. Writing with a pen that feels good in my hand
83. Using doilies
84. Listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio
85. Watching the Tigers play at Comerica Park
86. A successful workout
87. Employing active verbs in my writing
88. Finishing a long book
89. When a book has a satisfying end
90. Someone returning a smile
91. When an editor says, “Yes”
92. The availability of subtitles in a DVD movie “setup”
93. Meeting with my mentor
94. Solitude and silence when I need it
95. My grandson’s youthful wisdom
96. “Reunions” resulting from Facebook connections
97. My general practitioner’s sense of humor
98. Entertaining friends in my home
99. Knowing my eternal destiny is secured

Be a blessing to someone today.