Today’s writing prompt is: “what are five everyday things that bring you happiness?”

Well, my everyday may look a lot different to someone else’s everyday, but here are mine.

I think a lot of people will agree with this: coffee. It’s a bit of a ritual: selecting a mug, smelling the aroma throughout the house as it brews, deciding if I want sugar and creamer, or sugar and whipped cream, or sugar and caramel….then just sitting, maybe on the porch if the weather is favorable, or tucked into a corner of the couch or maybe my library chair, huddled under a quilt and working the day’s Wordle and Connection puzzles. All makings for a pleasurable morning, thus, bringing me happiness. Before the rest of the world intrudes.

And you know I’m gonna say my dog. I’ve always loved dogs, always had a dog. But I never had my own dog inside until a few years ago. And Chester even slept in my bed for awhile! A body needs a dog. He’s such a delight. He’s entertaining and a lot of company. As my aunt told me: “you needed something to take care of. You needed somewhere for your love to go.” She is right. Dogs are happiness, and it’s contagious.

Reading by candlelight. I guess this is a two-fer. I love my books, even though I generally read on my iPad exclusively anymore. My eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, but it works out since I love the candlelight. I’m still surrounded by traditional books, and there’s comfort in that. There’s something very soothing about firelight, even just a single flame. And the smell is intoxicating, too.

My painting in the dining room. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy art, or you can make it. That painting is vibrant and just screams happiness, if you ask me. It has certainly exuded happiness since the first time I ever laid eyes on it at the library.

Lastly, I find myself very happy when I’m sitting on the porch watching lightning bugs and bats. They coexist and I love them both. It’s serene to end the day with the moon. I like to start it with the sun and in this manner, I’ve gone full circle. I think about people in cities who’ve never seen a lightning bug. I’m glad I’m not in the city.

Maybe I shouldn’t have forgotten wine. But I don’t partake every day…and sometimes I go weeks without it. But I go months without lightning bugs, so….

I noticed as I got into this most of the things that make me happy are more about feeling cozy and secure, not outright happy. But that’s accurate, too. I am happiest when I’m home and safe, with nowhere to be, nothing pushing for my attention. So I reckon cozy and secure is peace, and peace is happiness ♥️