100 Little Blessings

1. Honeybees
2. The fragrance of flowers
3. Kisses from children
4. That special laughter that is genuine and loving
5. Rain, but not too much
6. Sunshine
7. Emails with with happy stories and gratitude
8. Real mail, handwritten
9. The first bulbs of spring popping up
10. Snuggling
11. The perfect song at the perfect moment
12. A good cupcake
13. A good cup of coffee or tea
14. Smells that remind you of your childhood
15. Old photos
16. Meeting someone new
17. Finding an old friend
18. Discovering a new recipe that looks yum
19. Making that recipe and finding out it's good
20. Cute and loving moments with pets
21. Seeing a rare bird
22. The first swim of summer
23. A comfortable pair of shoes
24. Clean sheets on your bed...
25. ...especially when they've been hung outside to dry
26. A phone call from someone just when you've been thinking of them
27. Butterflies
28. Farmers markets
29. Organic farmers
30. A good movie
31. Popcorn with real butter
32. Books that make you laugh out loud
33. Waking up on time without an alarm
34. Taking time to meditate
35. A great yoga class
36. Going for a run in perfect weather (or in bad weather)
37. Discovering a new place close to home
38. Finding a favorite restaurant
39. Going down a road you've never been on before
40. Learning something new about your childhood
41. Finding a favorite old thing
42. A clean house
43. A tidy garden
44. A family meal when everyone lingers at the table
45. A bowl of homemade soup
46. Time to dream
47. A comfortable chair or couch...
48. ...with soft, fuzzy blankets!
49. Reading old journals
50. Starting a new journal
51. Making lists
52. Crossing things off your lists
53. Stories of people living to 100 and just having fun
54. Feeling good in your body
55. Feeling loved
56. True intimacy
57. Special secrets
58. Overhearing someone else's funny conversation
59. Finding a great parking space
60. Hearing a great song on the radio when you're driving with the window down
61. Singing along to a great song
62. Hearing a really great story on the radio just when you need it
63. Silly pet pictures
64. Fun quizzes
65. Missing someone, and then seeing them again
66. Suddenly understanding something you never understood before
67. Being able to google anything you'd ever want to know
68. Remembering what the world was like before the Internet
69. When your kids are happy...
70. ...and are doing well in school without your having to pressure them
71. The joy of learning
72. The joy of peace and quiet
73. A hot bath on a cold day, windows open, steam rising
74. A good massage
75. Meeting big, old trees and hanging out with them
76. The smell of fresh soil in the spring
77. The smell of fresh-cut grass in the summer
78. Successfully pulling an especially large weed
79. Finding wild berries
80. Eating those berries on the spot
81. Finishing something
82. Dreaming of something new to do
83. Finding a perfect new store
84. Buying something that you love just because
85. Coincidences
86. Knowing there are no coincidences
87. A good game of soccer with kids, laughing so hard your stomach hurts
88. Falling down and not getting hurt
89. Roller-skating to loud music
90. Grass stains
91. A picnic (with cold fried chicken!)
92. Knowing you've made someone happy
93. Knowing you've made something better
94. Knowing you are happy
95. Organic coconut oil and its many, many uses
96. A virgin piña colada in a warm location
97. Lying on hot sand and absorbing the heat
98. Not worrying about anything
99. Surrendering to the universe
100. Loving your life

What's on your list?

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com