What Do You Love?

Photo by Kate Prentiss, kissthepaper.com

On Tuesday, my friend Kate “love bombed” me.  She left a bundle of cheerful cherry blossom branches and a handmade Valentine’s card on my front porch.  You can see more of her “love bombs” like the one above on her Kiss the Paper post this week.  I love getting surprise handmade gifts like that (see #46 below)!

In my newsletter this month, I shared a story about creating a list of 100 things that you love.  This is a great way to look for the good in your life, to indulge in what brings you joy and to create positive change.  Your list can include what you love about you, the people and world around you, your favorite things to do or just simple pleasures that bring a smile to your face.

Here’s my list of what I love:

1. My husband, Brian
2. Snuggling with our dog Emmett
3. Being creative
4. My work – I am doing what I love
5. My lifestyle – I get to do what I love in a way that I love!
6. Ice cream
7. Reading in my hammock in my backyard
8. The homey feeling of my house
9. My family
10. My heritage
11. Walks in nature
12. My iPhone
13. Getting awesome free apps for my iPhone
14. Art and handmade things of beauty
15. Getting lost in a good book
16. The color green
17. My dear friends
18. Gelly roll pens (fine point)
19. Martha Stewart
20. That Obama is now our president
21. Flipping through Anthropolgie catalogs
22. Black boots
23. Collaging
24. Crafting
25. Waking up without an alarm clock
26. Vacationing in relaxing, tropical locations (I would love to go back to Tahiti where Brian and I honeymooned!)
27. Visiting New York, Chicago and London
28. Finding a great piece of clothing on sale!
29. Inspirational stories
30. My self-care day
31. Learning, learning, learning
32. Ashtanga Yoga
33. Laughing so hard until I cry
34. Connecting with my friends from Leadership
35. When my house is clean (preferably cleaned by someone else!)
36. Meaningful, deep conversations
37. Going on dates with Brian
38. The feeling of accomplishment when I finish a project
39. Generosity
40. Authenticity
41. Expressive Arts
42. Co-leading the Creative Artists Community with Kathy
43. My blogging friends and the Nurture Huddle
44. Hanging out with my mucha muchachas
45. Sharing resources
46. Giving and receiving handmade, thoughtful presents
47. Beautiful views of the bay or the ocean
48. Cala lilies, sunflowers, orchids and Gerbera daisies
49. Taking naps
50. Understanding myself better through different personality typing systems
51. Books, bookstores, the smell of a new book
52. Handwritten type
53. Getting compliments
54. Cute aprons
55. Japanese calligraphy
56. Quiet time
57. That I trust my hairstylist enough to let her do whatever she wants with my hair
58. Going to museums
59. Taking workshops and classes (art, personal development, etc.)
60. Tempura udon
61. Feeling productive and checking things off my to-do list
62. Visioning
63. When things just flow
64. Massages – hot stone and Thai, especially
65. Having good laughs and good food with my good friends from book club
66. Really flavorful and/or spicy food
67. Discovering new, innovative ways to do something
68. Feeling in shape and healthy
69. My Butler Bag
70. Going for a swim on a hot, sunny day
71. Random acts of kindness
72. My fingernails
73. Facilitating groups and leading workshops
74. Seeing people living their dreams
75. My wedding and engagement rings (coming from someone who for many years didn’t believe in getting married!)
76. Eating really delicious food made by someone else
77. Herbal tea
78. Hot cocoa – Spicy from Bittersweet
79. Slumber parties
80. Winning fast-paced board or card games
81. Japanese paper
82. Meeting friends for lunch in the middle of a weekday
83. My determination
84. Laughing at funny childhood stories with my cousins
85. Smoothies
86. Finding just the right dress to wear for a special occasion
87. The smell of Hawaii
88. Ethnic candy of all kinds
89. Feeling organized
90. Blue skies, white clouds and green grass
91. Having freedom and flexibility
92. My Inner Muse
93. Being part of Kiss the Paper
94. My patio furniture
95. My Jade yoga mat
96. Painting
97. Eating a delicious raw food meal at Café Gratitude – complete with the I am Elated Enchilada and the I am Devoted Coconut Crème Pie (I also love their forward-thinking business philosophy)
98. Beautiful sunsets
99. Watching aerial acrobatics
100. Wearing inspirational jewelry
101. Knitting
102. Anything sweet

What are the 100 things you love right now?  What themes do you notice?  And how can these be clues to what you’re wanting to create more of in your life?