Eight little things that make me grin

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Today’s post was inspired by my conversation with a barista as she rang in my grande non-fat vanilla latte. I’d dug out a Starbucks gift card and handed it over in hopes there was still some cash on it and that got us chatting about found money—you know, when you find an old gift card in your underwear drawer that you haven’t cashed in yet. Or you pull out your spring jacket and find a $10 bill tucked inside.

With that conversation swirling around my head as I treaded home with my latte in hand, it got me thinking about the little things that make me happy day to day. No looking deep into the sources of happiness today. I’m talking about those little perks we find in our days that just make us smile or laugh. Alongside my found cash theory, here are eight (other) little things that bring me big happiness.

1. When I channel surf and come across any of the following: Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink or St. Elmo’s Fire. Never mind that at least two of those three movies actually sit in my movie collection. Just stumbling onto oogata-boogata-ah, ah, ah makes me happy. Actually any Ryan Reynolds movie works too. 

2. The first swig of a non-fat vanilla latte.

3. My son at daycare pick up—he’s still at an age where he’s genuinely thrilled to see me and runs, arms open wide, yelling my name. Guaranteed smile inducer. Not that I’m not equally happy to pick up my daughter—but she’s in grade one and is more blasé about the whole pick up affair, preferring to wander over than show any public displays of enthusiasm.

4. Inspecting the results of a shiny new pedicure or swishy haircut. I feel fresher and it gives me a little shot of confidence.

5. My children’s after-school routine—after trudging the 20 minute walk home, my six-year-old daughter, three-year-old son and I all collapse onto the couch where we’ll read a book or two and then flip on the TV to watch a show. Happiness is me dozing off to the Imagination Movers with my arms wrapped around my two kids.

6. Checking the points on my Shopper’s Optimum card. I bank my points so I can exchange them for a big chunk of change later—go figure that it gives me a smug sense of happiness when I see what my number is up to on my receipt.

7. Any time my sister calls—she’s silly and fun to talk to and we chat just about every day. But even if our conversations are filled with dumb jokes only we get, it’s a happy time of day for me.

8. This sentence, which thankfully I hear often at my house: “Hon, take a break. I’ll take the kids and put them to bed tonight. Just take it easy.”  

What little things make you happy?