Author Topic: Happiness challenge  (Read 165541 times)

nlsantamaria25

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1400 on: August 14, 2022, 11:09:42 PM »
There are a lot of things around at the moment that make us miserable. The media, and even the forum is full of things that we can read about to make us more unhappy.

I think we could all do with a little more happiness in our lives. I think that there’s at least one thing that makes me happy each day. So I’m challenging myself and you to write about something different each day that made you happy.


Today a friend told me about a frog in her garden - a spotted marsh frog. She showed me a picture of it. It’s rather small but it makes a lot of noise. We used to have a pond and striped marsh frogs would call at night. It was a lovely sound - a clonk noise, just like a Japanese deer stalker. I loved the sound, and I was really happy that my friend reminded me of it.
Thank you for you comment.
Today I have a good day with my mother, we spoke a lot of and smiled.


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MarcherLady

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1401 on: August 16, 2022, 12:52:34 AM »
My neighbour's very barky dog has been blessedly quiet so far today.

cool7hand

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1402 on: August 16, 2022, 08:47:51 AM »
Scheduling a meet up with an old friend

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1403 on: August 16, 2022, 08:24:02 PM »
BF went for a walk, and I spoke up and asked to go with him. Good adulting ("use your words") and good to stretch my legs.

LaineyAZ

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1404 on: August 17, 2022, 07:47:22 AM »
I won a raffle where the prize was some free landscaping work.  The 2-person crew showed up this week and my front yard looks better than it has in years.

So enjoyable to come home and see a yard where everything looks spiffy instead of overgrown - I'm sure my neighbors appreciate the difference too!

Serendip

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1405 on: August 18, 2022, 03:47:19 PM »
Perfectly ripe cherries and a good place to set up a hammock :)

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1406 on: August 19, 2022, 10:24:59 PM »
A long lunch allowing a walk to the grocery to get the on-sale grapes. Dessert tonight!

MarcherLady

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1407 on: August 22, 2022, 01:38:51 AM »
We're getting a nice, soaking rain this morning. The land desperately needs the water, and we have nowhere we need to go.

the_fixer

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1408 on: August 23, 2022, 04:32:11 PM »
Paid off the house!

Wife’s term was up this month and not sure if she would get another so we threw a big chunk of $ at the house and paid it off.

Wanted her to be able to make the decision about what is next without money being a consideration.

I know some disagree and that is ok we are at peace with our choice. We max everything each year (401k pre and post, roths, HSA, and are fat fi at this point and this was the next check box for us.

6 years 1 month from the day we purchased it


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nessness

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1409 on: August 23, 2022, 10:40:55 PM »
Got a nice compliment from a coworker.

MarcherLady

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1410 on: August 24, 2022, 01:11:30 AM »
Paid off the house!

Yay! Congratulations!

GardenBaker

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1411 on: August 24, 2022, 08:10:55 AM »
Paid off the house!



Congratulations!!

My happiness for the week is I paid off my vehicle and we had a nice 1.3" rain to help our drought stricken area.

LaineyAZ

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1412 on: August 24, 2022, 08:32:41 AM »
Watching Randy Rainbow parody skits on YouTube, making me laugh pretty hard.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1413 on: August 24, 2022, 08:07:39 PM »
Have found a solution to my cat sitting on my arms during WFH hours. He will happily settle into a chair next to me if I line it with my fuzzy robe and give him many snuggles.

Freedomin5

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1414 on: August 25, 2022, 04:07:28 AM »
Scored hundreds of free books to donate to a school in Cambodia.

mspym

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1415 on: August 25, 2022, 08:22:29 PM »
Plane tickets, rental car and boarding kennel sorted for the Christmas holidays, fortunately all booked before we had the brain-spasm of realising the youngest is FOUR WEEKS away from being done with high school.

Rosy

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1416 on: August 26, 2022, 08:39:34 AM »
Yesterday was a great day.
1. I met someone who I connected with. We both enjoyed the garden tour I gave her and I sent her home with garden gifts she was obviously happy with.

2. Finished cleaning up and de-cluttering the pantry - a long overdue project - YAY! Feels so good to have that monkey off my back.

3. Still reveling in the joy of my new coffee machine. Excellent taste and perfect Euro coffeehouse style crema.
Sometimes it is worth it to spend the extra money to get what you truly enjoy.

4. This week I learned how to propagate Cassava. I have a rare tropical bi-color variety that I needed to cut because of storm damage.
Worked like a charm - nothing to it, already have new growth and gifted one to a delighted garden friend.
The new Cassava is a perfect addition to a couple of trouble spots i.e. I needed some camouflage in a couple of garden corners.

5. Chiming in with everyone who is grateful for the rain that keeps the garden going through our brutal summers because it is way too hot for this old lady to be out in the heat/humidity any longer than absolutely necessary.
 

Blissful Biker

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1417 on: August 26, 2022, 09:38:01 AM »
I returned from travelling and was reminded how much I love our small mountain town as well as the lifestyle and community of friends we've built here.  Life is good.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1418 on: August 26, 2022, 06:34:43 PM »
Spontaneous visit to a friend; we chatted for an hour and I had to get back to work. But it was fun while it lasted!

mspym

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1419 on: August 26, 2022, 08:22:03 PM »
Reached out to two difference friends this morning and chatted with both. It was really nice.

cool7hand

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1420 on: August 27, 2022, 10:04:40 AM »
Making homemade ice cream for friends!

Freedomin5

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1421 on: August 27, 2022, 06:59:05 PM »
Very happy that the weather has cooled down and we can go for morning walks without feeling like we’re walking in a sauna.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1422 on: August 27, 2022, 07:26:11 PM »
Went for a hike after a long hike hiatus. No reason for the hiatus. Happy to be hiking again.

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1423 on: August 27, 2022, 08:11:18 PM »
Agree, cooler weather in our region is bliss!

Very happy that the weather has cooled down and we can go for morning walks without feeling like we’re walking in a sauna.

Looking forward to a free museum tour of Japanese prints this afternoon.

mspym

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1424 on: August 28, 2022, 02:19:37 AM »
Bike ride in the sunshine

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1425 on: August 28, 2022, 07:47:24 PM »
Bought a microwave oven for my own use. BF spontaneously offered to pay for half! Even though he had not say in the price or selection criteria. I didn't expect him to pay, much less offer to pay, when he will likely only use it for re-heating tea. Very nice surprise :)

GardenBaker

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1426 on: August 29, 2022, 09:51:59 AM »
Cleaned the outside of my house windows and cleaned all of the outdoor furniture, sconces and porches. Now I have nice clean place to relax after work.

cool7hand

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1427 on: August 30, 2022, 04:54:32 AM »
Lunch with an old friend

Metalcat

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1428 on: August 30, 2022, 06:00:40 AM »
Leaving my Newfoundland house today, and I really, really, REALLY don't want to leave.

But the happy part is that because I own the house, I can just come back! So I'll have something wonderful to look forward to while I relearn to walk.

Freedomin5

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1429 on: August 30, 2022, 07:00:54 AM »
The best solution to a problem I encountered today was to "do nothing". I suppose I'm inherently lazy, and I love it when the solution is to do nothing.

Also, my friend's kid ran away from home a few days ago, but they returned home today. Very happy she didn't have to file a police report and that her kid came back safe and sound.
« Last Edit: August 30, 2022, 07:04:23 AM by Freedomin5 »

Serendip

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1430 on: August 30, 2022, 11:09:31 AM »
Love reading through these reflections-- @Malcat so glad that you have somewhere wonderful to rehabilitate
and @Freedomin5 that is a wonderful reason for a happy moment!

I just experienced 5 days at an island retreat with friends (who are now much closer friends--it transformed a few relationships) and also being around and learning from panelists who have dedicated their lives to ecological matters and deep thinking really lit a fire..

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1431 on: August 30, 2022, 07:40:48 PM »
Listed a thing for sale and prepped another thing for listing. Happy to get the procrastinated items off my list.

Metalcat

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1432 on: August 31, 2022, 03:53:25 AM »
Love reading through these reflections-- [member=39652]Malcat[/member] so glad that you have somewhere wonderful to rehabilitate
and @Freedomin5 that is a wonderful reason for a happy moment!

I just experienced 5 days at an island retreat with friends (who are now much closer friends--it transformed a few relationships) and also being around and learning from panelists who have dedicated their lives to ecological matters and deep thinking really lit a fire..

Sadly, I can't actually rehab there. I need to relearn how to walk before I can go back. So it's something to look forward to. On the bright side, the minimalist condo we downsized to when we discovered MMM is *perfect* for rehab. No stairs, heated indoor garage parking, indoor pool and gym, and even support bars already in the shower. Also, it's around the corner from my PT.

If I have to be totally unable to walk for 4+ months, I have the perfect home for it. Then I can look forward to getting back to Newfoundland once I can do stairs and walk with just a cane again.

midweststache

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1433 on: August 31, 2022, 08:38:01 AM »
I was notified yesterday that a temporary 10% to cover staffing shortages has been made permanent! (The raise, not the staffing shortages :) )

Also, I've been struggling with middle-of-the-night insomnia for a while, but I had a really great sleep last night and feel very rested for today.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1434 on: September 01, 2022, 08:49:12 AM »
Grocery shopping surprise: cheese was on sale. Excellent!

RainyDay

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1435 on: September 01, 2022, 11:55:34 AM »
Timely thread (or rather, glad I just found it, since it isn't new!).  I've been struggling with grief-depression at the recent loss of a beloved pet that hit us really hard.  So it's nice to be reminded that sometimes the smallest things in life are the biggest things. 

Today it was cool enough in the morning to go for a nice walk in the woods.  Normally it's just too stinkin' hot/muggy, even in the early morning.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1436 on: September 01, 2022, 11:41:24 PM »
@RainyDay sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. It is really hard sometimes; their lives are so short. 😢

Went to a support group which I had skipped last week (because I truly needed the support but was being resistant/recalcitrant), and it was wonderful. Really, just what I needed!

Metalcat

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1437 on: September 05, 2022, 06:04:36 AM »
I'm down to the last 4 hours of a 32 hour driving trip.

Haven't seen my house in nearly half a year.

Dicey

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1438 on: September 05, 2022, 08:18:28 AM »
I'm down to the last 4 hours of a 32 hour driving trip.

Haven't seen my house in nearly half a year.
Hope the last few miles are the easiest. Welcome home!

Rosy

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1439 on: October 04, 2022, 12:10:05 PM »
Happy to be able to open the windows again - the brutal summer heat has left along with hurricane Ian.

Happy to be able to go outside again and enjoy fall gardening. Always fun to plan for a new season.

Happy about an out-of-the-blue gift from my neighbor - a rainbow-colored capiz shell windchime. I've always wanted one of those.
Looks perfect in my garden.

Happy to have a few hours of garden help this week. Half of the garden is already back in shape, I can manage the rest. Very thankful for that!

Freedomin5

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1440 on: October 04, 2022, 05:36:09 PM »
Fresh, warm blueberry muffins from the oven.

Heatwave is over and the weather has cooled down.

First proper BBQ in ages with friends.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1441 on: October 04, 2022, 10:15:35 PM »
Therapy didn't make me feel more depressed afterwards.

mspym

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1442 on: October 04, 2022, 10:52:58 PM »
Managed to time the dog walks in between the rain torrents. I'm now sewing to the dulcet tones of puppy snores.

Metalcat

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1443 on: October 05, 2022, 01:06:34 PM »
Therapy didn't make me feel more depressed afterwards.

Well that's better than the alternative I suppose. Although therapy always makes me feel awful afterwards. Not depressed, but kind of like I've been run over by a truck.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1444 on: October 05, 2022, 08:02:17 PM »
Therapy didn't make me feel more depressed afterwards.

Well that's better than the alternative I suppose. Although therapy always makes me feel awful afterwards. Not depressed, but kind of like I've been run over by a truck.

I call that "therapy hangover."

Well, several of the sessions did leave me feeling worse/more depressed, so yesterday was a win. Also, it was the last one without renewing with the insurance so I think that helped. No more future therapy looming.

Today's happiness is easting all the perishable foods before leaving on vacation!

Serendip

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1445 on: October 10, 2022, 06:05:11 PM »
A long hot shower and a peaceful space after a week in a very-cluttered and noisy environment.
...ah, the sweetness of quiet.

Freedomin5

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1446 on: October 10, 2022, 07:56:34 PM »
It's pretty stressful here in China right now. There's talk of another mass lockdown/move to online learning. And there are definitely rolling lockdowns popping up all over the place. The HR at our company is responsible for making sure all the expats have what they need while locked in metal shipping containers with bars on the windows (i.e., quarantine isolation rooms), and they're pretty stressed out trying to manage all of the moving parts.

Today's happiness was secretly dropping off a care package of goodies to the HR staff, just to cheer them up a bit. They have no idea it's me.

oneday

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1447 on: October 11, 2022, 11:54:36 PM »
A great vacation was had (this is bitter sweet, as it's back to work in the morning)

Serendip

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1448 on: October 12, 2022, 02:14:20 PM »
It's pretty stressful here in China right now. There's talk of another mass lockdown/move to online learning. And there are definitely rolling lockdowns popping up all over the place. The HR at our company is responsible for making sure all the expats have what they need while locked in metal shipping containers with bars on the windows (i.e., quarantine isolation rooms), and they're pretty stressed out trying to manage all of the moving parts.

Today's happiness was secretly dropping off a care package of goodies to the HR staff, just to cheer them up a bit. They have no idea it's me.

this does sound really stressful @Freedomin5 --that is a super thoughtful way to bring some cheer into the day for that HR team!

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Re: Happiness challenge
« Reply #1449 on: October 13, 2022, 12:30:53 PM »
My 16 year old got his driver's license! More independence for him, and a lot less driving for me. Hurrah!