This is The Happiest List You'll Make

A few weeks ago I read something that asked me to, “make a list of 50 things that make you smile”. Before you keep reading, grab a pen right now, and put it lengthwise between your teeth at the farthest back point in your mouth.

Got it? Promise? Great. Keep it there for a few.

This week, with spring in full swing in Manhattan, something brought me back to the list. I realized that when I wrote down what made me smile, it was so different than what I thought would make me happy. 

Who can’t quickly finish this sentence?: “I’ll finally be happy when (fill it in) happens.”

But guess what? When you say that, you discount every moment happening right now, today, that could make you smile. Yep, this whole smiling thing is your choice! And I’m pretty sure if we all spent more of each day smiling, we’d be…you guessed it…happier. We'd radiate light and joy not just for ourselves, but for others too.

I'm sharing some of my list if you need inspiration:

My dog, Piper.

Sunny days.

Being by the water.

Reading a novel and getting lost in it.

The feeling of running outside with the sun on my face.

Anticipating my next lap swim at the pool AND I get my favorite lane.

Music that moves me.

Children and babies.

Remembering tomorrow is Friday.

My plants.

Thinking about travel. 

Ok, take the pen out of your mouth and get writing. Don’t stop 'til you get to a list of at least 20. And no second-guessing, just write.

Looking back at your list, do you notice how lots of things that make you smile happen more than you choose to pay attention to? And maybe you're not smiling so much because you're worried about the future or regretting the past?

Smile-worthy moments are everywhere. The real work is to stay present to them. 

As Thich Nhat Hanh has said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

The pen trick is called the Duchenne Smile. When you do it, and if you let your cheeks lift, and allow the eyes to crinkle, your brain gets a signal that you are in fact, happy. And so, you feel it.