[lovelygirl]

We spend a lot of time here on the sometimes overwhelming challenges of therapy, and I thought it might be nice to share some things that give us enjoyment or pleasure, or put a smile on our faces. Heck, maybe there are even some things besides T! Here's a beginning to my list...

--My beautiful black-and-tan mini dachshund, warm and sweet as a ray of sunshine (and that's not just biased mom talking; he is objectively fabulous)
--a warm and unexpectedly sunny early-spring day
--a good cup of coffee while I sit down to begin work, especially on the weekends
--a good day's work done and a night of lounging, reading, really relaxing
--taking brisk walks in the evening listening to great music
--journaling, especially after a full day
--generally listening to music I love
--swimming in the ocean. Absolute soul food.
--talking with family and friends with whom I feel close
--an evening with my BF: snuggling on the sofa and catching up, sharing dinner, laughing and talking, more cuddles as desired
--Having lunch (and laughing a lot--to keep from crying?) with my friends in school
--I'm starting to like coloring again! Who knew--you can still color when you're a grown-up! Mandalas, intricate tile designs, etc.
--Can't help but say it: a T session where I feel connected and like I did some good work

One of my goals is to reconnect with my love of dance and exercise, which I've been away from for some time. So I'm looking forward to adding that to the list.

What about you? What makes you happy, feeds your soul?

reading spiritual things
running
playing music with friends
laughing with my boys
being outside
having the windows open
my old, old cat sitting on my lap
being with friends
watching baseball with my son
camping
seeing the stars at night
decluttering (weird, I know)
candles that smell nice
handmade things (pottery, quilts, etc)
hearing H laugh
the messages T leaves for me after our sessions
the moments when I find little bits of peace inside
connection - with T, and with other people too
learning that I can be loved

[Can't Stop Crying]

*When my youngest gets that sneaky smile in his eyes that tells me he is up to something!
*A painting that turns out just like I pictured it in my mind
*The small crack of a smile that I see so rarely in my older son, but manages to pop out once in a while
*Having all the housework done!

[granite1]

scrapbooking
talking to my son
my kitties
shopping

[rainbow8]

a good book and time to read it
writing
my grandchildren
being near or in water, especially the ocean
playing in the sand
baking with brown sugar because it's like sand
seeing beautiful scenery
being in a bookstore or library
a new genealogy clue
hugs
listening to my favorite music
singing by myself
feeling understood
compliments
helping someone else
feeling connected to other people

[Elli-Beth]

*my little princess dog, all diva girly-girl except for her foghorn snore
*my little special needs dog, she's a happy kissy goofball who loves life
*walks by the river watching the ducks
*walks through the woods listening for birds
*wonderful scents from shampoos and shower gels in a hot shower
*the feeling of clean clothes and clean sheets
*a crisp, cold soda with lots of fizz
*those rare moments when my voice just comes to me instead of empty silence when I open my mouth
*coloring and writing
*my T, because he believes me and he has confidence when I don't

[Perna]

Working well on a project so I'm absorbed in it (in "Flow")
Reading a good book
Eating out with friends and/or family
Spending time with a good friend
Writing
Planning something
Riding in the car with my husband driving, discussing something of interest to both of us
Riding in the car on a journey, through small towns, imagining what it would be like to live there
My husband reading aloud to me while I massage his crippled foot
Breakfast
Clean sheets
Being warm and dry when it's cold and wet out

[elliemay]

olives
lionesses
The Marriott (yes, I know, but I travel a lot)
Creating things
yoga
making soap
my pets
my bed
flat rate shipping at the post office
candles
febreeze
men that look like Tom Hardy
wide open spaces
cooking
those crazy squirrels outside my house
red nail polish
daisies
my buddhist friends that have taught me compassion and love and humor
gemstones
children's art

[with or without you]

- napping on the couch in the late afternoon, and waking up when the sun starts to creep through the window as it gets lower in the sky
- old photos
- comedy
- music
- drawing
- cats and dogs
- driving through the mountains on a nice day
- popping bubble wrap
- hockey
- getting together with old friends I haven't seen in several months or years
- going home to visit family
- T's consistency and unwavering support
- my ipod
- my car
- childhood memories
- sleeping in
- Shamrock Shakes
- hot showers
- the crazy things my family says out of the blue

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

a new genealogy clue

I like that one. I do a lot of work on genealogy too...

[suzzie]

sunny days

[lastyearisblank]

hugs
studying things
art
wine
cheesecake

[Hossenfaus]

My Son
My Dogs
Wood-turning
Music

[BlessedRhiannon]

Sunsets
Sitting outside watching the dogs play on a nice day
Thunderstorms
A cup of hot tea
Reading a good book
Music
Having a "perfect" run with my dog at a show - where we're just connected and everything goes right, even if we don't place (had one of those this weekend...it was awesome).
My dogs
Hot, gooey, chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven

[SpiritRunner]

a good book
poetry, writing, music
early morning quiet time
time to sit and think
thunderstorms & rain on the roof at night
exercise
hugs
chocolate
coffee
silky sheets
my H
my 4 adorable kids & hearing them say, mommy I love you
being loved
believing I am lovable
spiritual moments, moments of grace
answered prayers
unanswered prayers (when I see I was saved from getting something that would not have made me happy or not been good for my soul)
friends & deep conversations with them
PC
honesty
my T's honesty

and there's more, and I'm happy that there is more!

Originally Posted by poetgirl76

moments of grace

(((((((((poetgirl))))))) How did I forget this? This is my favorite

[krisakira]

-- That feeling i get after finishing the last rep of my strength training
-- watching all my fish swimming around in their aquariums
-- my dog when he jumps into bed and curls up at my feet
-- my website looking really cool after working on it for hours and hours
-- watching America's Funniest Videos with my boyfriend

[Sweetlove]

-Spending time with a best friend
-Sitting in a bookstore
-Laughing with family
-Cuddling with my adorable chiuaua/pug "chug"
-Spinning
-My Godson
-Holding my babies at work
-Scrapbooking
-Singing
-Dancing
-Shopping
-A good cup of coffee
-Feeling loved
-A gorgeous, sunny day
-A connected, productive T session
-The beach
-My favorite TV shows
-Music
-Meaningful hugs
-A good talk

My pets
Thinking of my girls
hugs... virtual or otherwise

[peridot28]

-hugs, hugs, and more hugs
-laughing and making other laugh so hard that we can't breathe and when you try to talk your voice squeals like a pig
-ANYTHING craft related; give me a glue gun and I'll make you something awesome
-the sound of my cats purring
-hanging out with my church peeps around the dinner table on Wednesday nights
-good reality TV
-Meryl Streep movies
-Craig Ferguson
-the movie "What About Bob?" (my favorite movie, ever)
-Susan Boyle's beautiful voice
-the sound of my friend's children saying, "I love you, Ms. Peridot"
-snuggles with my friend's babies
-sunshine
-conversation hearts
-the Dr. Joy Browne show (radio psychologist)
-driving anywhere; i sometimes take the long way home
-singing/karaoke in the car
-fried chicken...Yummers!
-validation
-fall and Halloween
-corny jokes
-writing
-my T's hugs, her voice, her face, and her presence
-public speaking
- math, I.e.

[peridot28]

-hugs, hugs, and more hugs
-laughing and making others laugh so hard that we can't breathe and when we try to talk our voices squeal like a pigs
-ANYTHING craft related; give me a glue gun and I'll make you something schnazzy
-the sound of my cats purring
-hanging out with my church peeps around the dinner table on Wednesday nights
-good reality TV
-Meryl Streep movies
-Craig Ferguson
-the movie "What About Bob?" (my favorite movie, ever)
-Susan Boyle's beautiful voice
-the sound of my friend's children saying, "I love you, Ms. Peridot", but they use my real name. LOL!
-snuggles with my friend's babies
-sunshine
-conversation hearts
-the Dr. Joy Browne show (radio psychologist)
-driving anywhere; Isometimes take the long way home
-singing/karaoke in the car
-fried chicken...Yummers!
-validation
-fall and Halloween
-corny jokes
-writing
-my T's hugs, her voice, her face, and her presence
-public speaking
-math, i.e. Algebra, trigonometry, physics, and calculus (nerd alert)
-board games, especially Taboo, Scattergories, Scrabble, and Pictionary
-walking in the park
-singing in the shower
-hugging and talking to strangers who need some love
-letting a car in during heavy traffic
-offering someone help when I'm out and about
-holding a friend's face in my hands, telling them I love them, then planting a big kiss on their cheek, followed up with a bear bug

I guess I should stop now. Hehehe! :-)