Happy

It's not inspired by Pharrel's song which  has embedded itself in all of our brains like a parasite; I just wanted to make list of things that make me happy or are important to me.  This is an experiment in mental health and an attempt to prove to myself the pursuit of happiness is within realistic reach...I just have to remind myself what makes me smile every once in a while.

1.) Eating - I truly enjoy eating something as simple as egg salad or something as fancy as broiled sword fish with sesame drizzle over wilted napa cabbage and bok choy.  It's the only guilty pleasure I have that I do not abuse.

2.) Shopping at the Dollar Store - This is the cheapest form of Prozac you can find.  You have to be pretty broke to not have fun here.  Buy stuff you need, stuff you don't, judge people that do a months worth of grocery shopping here, get a goofy pair of glasses and some bubbles, pick up a last minute birthday card, etc.  I like to skip down the aisles, throw things in the cart all willy nilly, and pretend I am wealthy.

3.) Waking up early and feeling great - Sometimes it happens because I exercised, ate healthy, and went to bed early the day before.  Sometimes it happens because my anxiety won't let me sleep in, and I am litearly leaping from slumber and launching head first into a massive to do list.  For whatever reason I hate sleeping in or being forced to wake up when I am still tired.  When I wake up early, well rested, and ready to attack the day I feel like I can literally accomplish anything.  That is a feeling not to be taken for granted.

4.) Bacon - No need to explain this item on my list at all.  I won't be heavy handed in describing why I love this wonder meat so much and suffice it to say thank you to the fat genius that said "Hey! I bet that pig tastes amazing.  Let's cut it open and find out."

5.) Public Libraries - I love books.  I am very sad that The Nooks and Kindles have taken over.  There is nothing like an old fashioned well used book.  I own several (not to brag), but my day is made if I get to spend a couple hours wandering a public library finding new and old favorites.  Have you smelled a library book?  It hard to describe but I wish Yankee Candle made a scent that captured it.  It's a mix of a lazy, rainy day where you are comfortable being alone in your own world and grandma's attic.

6.) Social Media Stalking - Hear me out.  Sometimes this is the best way to get to know a person.  The pictures they take, who their friends are, the mad ranting on their updates and tweets...people can tell you who they are or SHOW you.  Sometimes you learn something new, and sometimes you just feel like a creep digging through their trash and hiding in the bushes outside their house.  I'm not proud of my social media addiction, but stalking is harmless fun, and I enjoy the heck out of it.

7.) Pan Pizza - Ok food is going to reappear several times on this list.  Get over your judgement now.  Pan Pizza crust is like someone fried bread and covered it in carmelized cheese.  I would eat it everyday if I could.  I despise flat bread pizza, and I laugh in the face of your "Chicago Style." Pan is greasy, crunchy heaven.

8.) Making my mom proud - I wish it happened more often, but I enjoy it and it makes me feel intrinsically happy.

9.) Law and Order SVU marathons - Nobody makes rape and sodomy more entertaining that Elliot and Olivia.  I could literally never leave my bed and watch this all day. Seven episodes is my max before I start uncovering repressed memories I may have invented.  They only thing that ruins it is when one comes on I have already seen.  Then I switch channels for a while and pretend I am not going to watch it anyway.  Then I cave and mouth the words along with the actors.

10.) Traveling - I hate driving, fear flying, trains take to long, and buses are gross, but I still love going to new places enough to brave all forms of transportation in spite of my loathing.  If I really freak out in the terminal I visit my favorite bar, airport or xanax.

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