Happy Places and Very Happy Lists

Despite my natural bent to optimism and gratitude, sometimes I need reminders and sometimes it is a fight. There are certain places where it is easy to be happy and grateful and optimistic. Then there are times and days when I need to remember my blessings. I created something very simple to help me with that.

I've blogged about the devotional "One Thousand Gifts". In the back of the devotional there are lines where you can start your own gratitude journey. I've used it (I'm bad about updating it) but outside of that, I have a list that I like to call my "very happy list". It is things that have brought me extraordinary joy and happiness, either because of their unexpected nature or because of the thoughtfulness of someone. It's not a long list (yet), so I'll share it with you.

• M & K throwing me a Sweet 16 surprise party
  
• I & C being at that party (two friends I rarely saw. I was completely stunned that they were there. My one friend skipped basketball practice to be there!)
  
• N being able to come to my last ever co-op end party (several of us grew up in this co-op together and it would have not been the same if he was not with the rest of us)
  
• one of my brother's Florida baseball games being live-streamed so others could watch
  
• C surprising me when she was home over Easter
  
• C's old dance teacher flying her home for Christmas and us being able to go visit her grandparents
  

I keep this list because accessible. It shows me how much I am loved by people but it also shows me God's care in the little things. Most, if not all, of these things were things I really wanted. I was trying really hard to accept that N wouldn't be at the party, that I was missing my brother's games, that I wouldn't get to see C when she was home for such a short time. I was sad but I had to not let it get me down. God provided and blessed me so much.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes He doesn't do things like this. But when He doesn't, I have a list that reminds me that He is good and He loves and blesses His children and I am less likely to doubt and get angry.

Do you keep a list of blessings and things you are grateful for? Ways you've seen God provide and work in your life? These lists are so helpful in the valley seasons when it can be hard to see Him and you wonder what, if anything, He is doing.

Another fun list I am building is a list of my "happy places". Here is mine so far:

• Baseball field
• Library
• Beach
• Frankenmuth
• Co-op (I don't go anymore but it still is a place I was so happy)
• Northville
  
• Mackinac Island
  

Care to share some of your happy places? What is one thing you're grateful for today?