Things That Make Me Happy

When I was in college, I discovered a book titled “14,000 Things to Be Happy About,” by Barbara Ann Kipfer. I carried the book in my backpack for most of my four years of school, because it always made me smile to read a page of it. I still pull it off the bookshelf once in a while. At this point, it’s a tattered, worn, and well-read copy of this book.

There is actually a really fun website based on the book as well. It makes me happy too.

In honor of Barbara Ann Kipfer, I thought I would write my own mini-collection of “Things That Make Me Happy.” Though it is much shorter than her list of 14,000 things spanning 612 happy pages, I hope you enjoy it.

Darcy’s List of Things to be Happy About

It’s Not 14,000 Things but Hey, Who is THAT Happy?

• How excited my dogs get when I come home, even if I was only gone for 5 minutes
• The way the sand feels between my toes
• Wearing a baseball cap in the summer
• Going to yard sales on Saturday mornings
• Live music
• Shopping online
• Finding something I’ve been looking for at a thrift store
• Drinking coffee – lots of it
• Fat Tire beer
• Working from home
• Memories of my dad
• Puppies, and dogs who act like puppies
• My family
• My carefree fishing and hunting boyfriend
• Listening to rain on the roof when it’s dark outside
• Opening the windows on a warm spring day
• Sitting on the beach with a chair and a book
• Drinking rum in South Dakota with my family
• Thinking about old friends and the crazy stuff we used to do
• Campfires and camping
• The fact that I remind my grandma and my mom of my dad
• Making dinner and trying new recipes
• The day a new magazine comes in the mail
• Opening Christmas stockings on New Year’s Eve
• Pots of bamboo sitting around the house
• Eating seafood
• Waiting for the pizza guy to come
• Buying stuff at The Home Depot because it makes me feel like such an adult
• Thinking about summer during the winter
• Hearing the UPS guy drop off a package on the front doorstep
• Having a job that I am good at and enjoy
• Having a fireplace
• Lightning bugs. Or fireflies, whatever you want to call them
• Playing Phase 10 with Marshall, even though I usually lose
• The little green lizards (anoles) that live in my backyard in the summer
• Having money in my savings account
• Owning my house
• The yellow walls in my office, which I painted myself
• Shopping at the weekend flea market for produce
• The fact that I have lived in South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and North Carolina
• My handful of really good friends
• Reading books
• Collecting shells on the beach
• The smell of flowers
• Crochet projects
• Banana pancakes with peanut butter and chocolate chips
• Looking at the flowers in my backyard
• Walking my dogs
• My 1997 Purple Ford Probe that my parents gave me
• Fireworks on the Fourth of July
• Relaxing on Friday night

And these, my friends, are just a few things that I have to be happy about. 🙂

For more Inspirational blog posts, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the book “14,000 Things to Be Happy About” about?
14,000 Things to Be Happy About is a collection of simple moments, memories, experiences, and everyday joys that celebrate gratitude and happiness in daily life.

Why is it important to focus on small things that make you happy?
Focusing on simple joys and everyday moments can help encourage gratitude, improve perspective, and bring more appreciation for daily life experiences.

What are some simple things that can make people happy?
Simple things that often bring happiness include spending time with family, pets, nature, favorite foods, hobbies, music, memories, relaxing evenings, and meaningful friendships.

How can making a gratitude or happiness list help?
Creating a personal happiness list can help people reflect on positive experiences, recognize meaningful moments, and appreciate the little things that bring joy.

Why do nostalgic memories often bring happiness?
Nostalgic memories can create feelings of comfort, connection, and appreciation by reminding people of meaningful experiences, loved ones, and special moments from the past.