JLynnJewels: The Happy List...ready - set

So you want to know the secret to happiness?

Well - there is no secret...

Do you think there are "to-do's" in order to be happy?

Not for me...

Is there some sort of "Happy List"

Yes - and it's unique to you...

We've all heard the saying...Happiness is not something you can buy...

For me...it simply comes down to finding that content, satisfied feeling in your everyday life - and to take notice of the little things...
(as a Photographer - it seems I'm always detouring because I'm taking notice of the little things...like these beautiful Pink Roses outside my Mom's house)

My daughter always says - "Walk with a Purpose..."
and I say "Live with a Purpose..."

Life has depth, strength, and meaning...

So to live a meaningful life - we need to use all of our tools...talents, skills, and time,

and to do so, with thoughtfulness, love, and a purpose each and every day.

Some people are born with that sunny disposition - and some aren't...

But everyone can tune into their own happiness...

My best advice...don't over-think the happiness thing...that can be stressful...

When you're sad or things are difficult - face it with grace, and learn from it...

And always...pay attention to the little things - with all your senses...

I know you hear it a lot - that gratitude/blessed word (words often overused...)

So that's why I like to say... "Appreciation"

As in...find your own appreciation for the simple things in your own life...

Life is not always sunshine and smiles - there are storms too...

But it's REAL - and each morning when you wake up, it's another day to appreciate that fact.

So...the HAPPY LIST...are you ready??

It's a quick, in this moment and time... TOP TEN List of the simple things that make you smile, laugh, giggle, cry, or gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings of contentment...

My HAPPY list...well - it goes without saying that my family if always first. But beyond that - here's the everyday little things that are currently making me smile, happy, and - just appreciate having another day in this beautiful, big world. I've always been one to notice the little things...and that makes me happy. I don't think about being happy - and although I'm not always a bright & cheery person every sun-shiney day...I can say that 99.9% of the time, I'm happy and positive. To my way of thinking, it's all about learning to let go of the stuff we have no control over, and just being yourself in all your moments in time :)

Here's my TOP TEN in no particular order...

#1 - Appreciation for the backroads...they are beautiful

Just a week ago, I captured this little peace of heaven on the back roads in Maryland. Roads less traveled, with miles of Horses and wooden fences - brings to mind a feeling of peace and relaxation for me. I love making the time for these drives...usually on the way to somewhere I need to be - but I'll leave a little early just to be able to take the roads less traveled...

#2 - That "small" feeling in a big world

Mother Nature is so inspiring...through all her moods from sunshine to storms. When you think about how many centuries our ancestors have weathered and endured - it sure gives you an appreciation for the little things in life...and it makes you realize that we are all just here living in little moments in time...it's an awesome feeling to be thankful for those moments in life - don't you think? The above shot is one I took from my front bedroom window - pretty amazing sunset...and if you look close - you may even see a flock of hundreds of Birds flying across that "on fire" sky...

#3 - Fun & Colorful Coffee Mugs & Notebooks

No explanation needed really...

I have a lot of mugs that I've collected or created over the years...

Did I mention I also have a variety of flavored coffees to fill them too? ...

I love the Art of old-fashioned writing...and making lists...and taking notes...

I'm very thankful to live within an hour of a Vera Bradley Outlet where this past week they just had 60% off their already reduced prices and I was able to "restock" :)

#4 - Places...the Beach, my front porch, and a Winter Wonderland of Snow

Nothing quite like the sound of the ocean waves and seagulls...

Love my Porch time - comfy rockers, good company...and my favorite beverage

Love the sounds of that winter stillness, the cool crisp air and those snow covered branches...

#5 - Flowers

Whether they are outside or from a bouquet I plucked from our Grocery store...

I love flowers...their scents...their colors and the all the beautiful details in them

For me - they definitely effect my mood in the most positive way and typically inspire me to get creative in either painting or designing jewelry

#6 - Fur Babies...unconditional love from our two rescues from the Shelter...

Maggie Moo...who has grown so much in the past year...
but who loves to be held and rocked like a baby...
Yes...she is a big Dutch Bunny!

And ANGEL...our dwarf Netherland Bunny (first to join us...)

She loves to be scratched around her ears...and when she is totally content - she gives us her "Dumbo" elephant ears. She also loves to race around the Family Room and then crash...

She is not much of a Snuggler but loves to hop up and visit with you when you're sitting down. She also loves to play games with my Slippers too :)

#7 - Baking...and Fresh Fruit

There is something about the smell of baking cookies...
We love baking - and typically make traditional cookies - Chocolate Chips & Scotties...
but I also love doing different ones, like these easy "Hoot" Owl cookies...which were part of a surprise "Care Package" for my daughter at College - had a lot of fun making these!

Fresh fruit is the best....

#8 - Beads and ART Tiles of all kinds...and Jewelry of course...

No explanation needed - just visit my Facebook page, my website and Etsy store...

#9 - Art...Painting & Doodling

My favorite...Watercolor painting (yes I do other mediums - but there is something about the liquid fluidity of painting with these very translucent paints)

Yes - I love to doodle (Zentangles) when I can!

Love Pen & Ink and the tiny intricate patterns you can create

with a series of lines, shapes, dots and swirls

#10 - Gypsy/Bo-Ho style patterns...

Fun and colorful patterns - I have a lot of different home decor pieces and throws with similar patterns. These are just so inspirational and a great way to give life

to a colorless corner on a shelf...but they also inspired me to create "Boho" styled ART Tiles and Gypsy/Bo-Ho style Jewelry as well :)