Whilst perusing Facebook, I came across a blog post of a friend of mine. It was essentially just a list of things that she liked. The idea was that she had spent a lot of time thinking about all the things she didn't like, so she wanted to think for a while about what she did. It was almost poetic and the idea of focusing on good things was uplifting. They say that the best form of flattery is imitation, so I wrote this copy-cat post.
Staying up late or even until the sun comes up while talking to a friend, deep, real belly laughs and hysterical giggles, playing with Legos, telling stories, having deep conversations, making people laugh, ultimate frisbee, wearing fuzzy socks and skating around on the kitchen floor, nerd-talk about Sherlock and Star Wars (and yes, I LOVE Clone Wars), long summer days filled with ice cream and impromptu adventures and sandals and tan lines that turn into warm summer nights spent laying in the grass staring into the star-studded heavens, going to church and reading the Book of Mormon and feeling that I know exactly who I am and that God loves me even when I do stupid things, singing in the shower and to the radio in my car, staying inside on cold afternoons and drinking hot chocolate next to a warm fire in a pile of blankets and pillows, driving fast, analog clocks with Roman numerals, unexpected texts from a friend I haven't talked to in a while, roller coasters, go-carts, staring out at the passing landscape while riding in a car, acknowledging that the best part of tour-bus travel is the company I am in, feeling the thrill of the moment when the plane lifts off of the ground and staring in awe at anything I can see below, hearing someone call my name, smelling the spray of citrus as I peel open an orange and then the sweet and zingy taste of the first bite, talking to my siblings and parents, sitting just close enough to get butterflies, cuddling, kissing until I'm breathless, the smell of fireworks and of barbecue and everything about the 4th of July, the comfort of old stuffed animals, dancing in warm rain, the clap of thunder following a flash of lightning exploding across the sky, and the smell of hot asphalt mixing with the storm, having smooth legs, getting dressed up for special occasions or for no occasion at all, doing my hair and makeup, putting on a pretty dress, jewelry, and high heels, hot showers, playing my trumpet alone or in a band, listening to music for hours on end, getting an A on a test, driving my stick-shift car with the windows rolled down and the wind messing up my hair completely, experiencing the world through smell-- cementing memories or bringing back old ones, popping popcorn and watching a favorite movie or going to the theater to see a new one, posing for pictures, compliments from strangers, wearing my hair down, watching basketball and cheering until I sound like a smoker, playing with my cat and dog, flopping into bed at the end of a long day, chocolate cake, visiting temples, attending BYU, hiking, watching the Olympics, and brushing my teeth,
Its amazing how long this list is. It could keep going if I wanted it to. I spend far too much time complaining and wishing for something better, but there is so much around me that I enjoy and so many things to find beauty in. It doesn't make the hard times go away, but it does give me something to be grateful for. 2nd Nephi 2:25 says, Adam fell that man might be; and men are, that they might have joy. It really is uplifting to notice what brings me joy, even if its just the little things.
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