50 Things
More than a decade ago
I started making a list of the 50 things that make me the happiest. I started the list thinking it would take just a few minutes. In truth, it took years.
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Funny thing, shopping for clothes or purses didn't make the Happiest List. So why was I spending so much on them? Over time, I've used the list to focus my time, money, and energy toward the things that make me the happiest. If it isn't on the list, does it really deserve my attention?
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When I finished the Happiest List, I made of list of the 10 things that make the most unhappy. That took all of five minutes: commuting to work on Mondays, commuting to work on Tuesdays, commuting in the rain, commuting when it's cloudy, and so on. I showed the list to my husband who simply responded with, "so let's move." Hmph. I didn't realize it would be that simple to resolve the Unhappy List.
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Here's the Top 20 from my list.
Top 10
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This one thing my husband does (but I can never tell him what it is because he might stop doing it)
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Watching my kids laugh and also laughing with them
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Really good espresso-based coffee, preferably enjoyed sitting outside
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My dog and the dogs that came before him
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Writing for fun (romance) and for work (briefs and opinions)
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A drawing my late dad made in the 1960s of a guy graffitiing the word "peace" on a wall, but the guy was shot before finishing the "e" and is lying in a pool of blood
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My career
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The Rolex I walked into the store and bought by myself, for myself, the day I made partner
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Our chunk of rock at the far end of Long Island that truly makes every day spent there feel like a day in paradise
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Thanksgiving Dinner
11 to 20
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The 1979 Ford Bronco in buttercup yellow I bought on eBay
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Napa trips with the girls, plus the wine is nice too
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Going out for breakfast. With anyone. Seriously, invite me and I'm there.
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Drinking champagne with Chinese food
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Almost finishing the Sunday Times Crossword
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Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes and anything by the Clash and most things by Guns N' Roses. And Måneskin.
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Looking at rocks and shells on the beach, realizing that I might be the only human ever to touch a particular rock, especially if I throw it back in
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Bread with butter
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Reading a real book, though I'd be miserable without my Kindle
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Tulips, since they remind me of my mom
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