20 Little Happy Things to Celebrate in Life {Including a $100 Gift Certificate!}

by Melissa @ The Inspired Room on May 1, 2009

Between the stinky economy and swine flu pandemic, I’d say things are looking a little dismal out there! Good grief! So what can we do to keep ourselves inspired to find the beauty in life? You know me, I like to celebrate the little things! When things get a little gloomy, I try to focus on the positives and create a list of things to be happy about in life.

When I first start to make a list of happy things, I’ll admit I sometimes have a hard time finding 20 things. I get a far off, spaced out look on my face. But the more I think, the happier I get because I realize I DO have 20 things to be happy about! At least 20 things! And that in itself is reason to celebrate. I turn my mood right around by thinking of just 20 little things that make life beautiful for me.

But, even if I could find only ONE thing, thinking about it would be a good way to focus on something positive amidst the craziness this world is dishing out right now. Oooh, how clever am I? DISHING OUT… mwahaa haa haa. OK. I’d blame it on the paint fumes. If I had started painting yet. Oh, stop. I’ll get to it. I have TWO WEEKS!

Here is my random list of little happy things
(and notice the last thing on my list, A GIVEAWAY!)
These are in no particular order:

Sunny days
Chocolate with nuts
The smell of coffee
My son’s laughter
Faith in a God bigger than my problems
Spring flowers
Scones
Makeover projects for CHEAP
Cute shoes from the thrift store
Paint (stretching it here)
Blogs to inspire me
Friends to encourage me
Friends I can encourage
Family I can adore
A cozy bed at night to curl up with my hubby
A roof over my head
Happy memories
Dreams for the future
Creativity
New dishes!! For one lucky winner, A $100 Retail Value Gift Certificate to DaySpring for anything from their new Life Collection!

Just a couple of days ago DaySpring sent me some very happy dishes from their new LIFE TO THE FULL COLLECTION! Lucky me! I am a white dishes girl but I was thrilled to find these beauties to mix in for some outdoor fun this summer. These really are lovely dishes and very well crafted — if you want some for yourself, you will NOT be disappointed! You could hang these on a wall or eat off of them, either way, they are gorgeous! There is no better time to celebrate LIFE TO THE FULL than right now.

This collection would make a great Mother’s day gift, so for everyone here is a 20% off code for your next purchase!

How do you enter this Happy Life giveaway?

You can enter any of these three ways, or ALL THREE if you want three chances!

1) Share your beautiful life post via Mr. Linky for one entry

2) Share some little things via the comments that MAKE YOU HAPPY in spite of all this crazy Swine flu and economy woes.

3) And if you are a subscriber (or become one) of The Inspired Room, I’m given you an extra chance to win! You’ll find a secret code in your post. All you have to do is send an email to theinspiredroom@gmail.com with the word CODE in the subject line. Then tell me what the code is and you get another entry. You can subscribe via email right here! Or via RSS right here! The code will be in the posts next week as well so watch for it if you are just subscribing today!

So, three chances (I’ll count every entry, so you may as well try for them all!) to win a $100 retail value (yes, a $100 retail value shopping spree!!!) of any Life To The Full Collection products from DaySpring!

Want to see more of the Life to the Full Collection? Click here!

PS. If your procrastination project goes wrong over the weekend, just take a deep breath and click The Magic Brush for a good laugh. Laugh WITH her. Not AT her. Really. I can so relate.

oops…Mr. Linky didn’t work earlier, so if you still want to add a post here, feel free! Just make sure your link goes directly to a specific Beautiful Life post…and put a link back to The Inspired Room!

This giveaway is now closed.

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Tagged as: 20 Little Things, DaySpring, dishes

{ 254 comments }

← Previous Comments

1 Shari May 2, 2009 at 1:43 pm: Waking up each morning to a brand new day, endless opportunities, smiling, the color orange, hugs…new dishes!
2 Chrissy May 2, 2009 at 2:53 pm: Coffee … oh, wonderful coffee. Cappucinos, lunch out with my friends. Movie night with my kids. Date night with my hubby. Reading your blog!!!! ) Those are all things that make me happy!
3 Jennifer May 2, 2009 at 5:59 pm: sunny days, rain after days of sun!, friends, chocolate, a clean house, sweet words, kindness, Jesus
4 denise May 2, 2009 at 6:12 pm: spring flowers in my garden, porch rockers, porch swing, word games, starting a new Bible study with friends, family nights at home
5 Jen M May 2, 2009 at 6:29 pm: I am happy that my hubby has a stable job! The world will always need teachers!

Jen Ms inspiring blog post..I guess I have some teaching to do
6 AggieMomof2 May 2, 2009 at 7:01 pm: My faith, family and friends make and keep me happy!
sylviarj at yahoo dot com
7 Puna May 2, 2009 at 7:23 pm: Hi there! I just wrote a post…thanks for the inspiration.
8 Puna May 2, 2009 at 7:23 pm: And I just subscribed to you via rss. You have some great ideas here.
9 Puna May 2, 2009 at 7:25 pm: Some things that make me happy? I just wrote that here.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/its-a-beautiful-life/

Thanks so much.
10 Liz J May 2, 2009 at 8:10 pm: I love my husband and am so grateful for his wonderful spirit and attitude!
11 Kelly Jo aka GotGRITS May 2, 2009 at 8:46 pm: I am thankful….I have 3 beautiful and healthy little girls, a husband that loves & respects me(and our marriage), I have a house and vehicle, a job, and family & friends
12 Jodi May 2, 2009 at 8:51 pm: cool summer evenings make me so happy
13 Melissa N May 3, 2009 at 12:01 am: My husband getting out of the Army this past year after 8 years, and me getting to wake up every day with him.

Melissa Ns inspiring blog post..Reality TV Douches
14 Lisa May 3, 2009 at 6:07 am: THANK YOU MELISSA FOR THE HEADS UP. I LOOOOVVVVE THIS LINE!!! I MENTIONED IT ON MY BLOG FOR ALL TO HAVE A CHANCE TO ENTER.

HUGS FROM MAINE

Lisas inspiring blog post..Give Away, Give Away, Give Away…
15 Sharon May 3, 2009 at 6:45 am: My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and my family fill each and every day with joy! Each day is a new beginning and more time given to me to be able to let them know how much I love each and every one of them!
16 Kris May 3, 2009 at 9:27 am: Hi Melissa, I’ve added my post to Mr. Linky. I love this collection from DaySpring and would love to win. Thanks for inspiring each of us to focus on positives and things that make us happy.

Kris

Kriss inspiring blog post..20 Little Things To Celebrate In Life
17 Phil Bennett May 3, 2009 at 10:59 am: Life is good, we are blessed everyday. Good music, good food, good company makes me happy. I wish you all the blessings in the world!!

Peace,

Phil

Phil Bennetts inspiring blog post..20 things that make me HAPPY…
18 Claudia@DipityRoad May 3, 2009 at 12:30 pm: You are always putting our brains to thinking — I blogged bout how music can take me back in time where i was a cute (uggh maybe not so cute) early teenie bopper — those were happy times.

I’m also a subscriber —

Thanks for the happy reminders!

Claudia@DipityRoads inspiring blog post..Sundays songs and singing
19 HEAVEN SOWN May 3, 2009 at 1:50 pm: We love ANYthing that encourages, so Dayspring is right up our alley! Thanks for sharing this post. One more thing that we love that celebrates life….hmmm, surprise one-liners written on the bathroom mirror, sent via text, put in wallet/ purse….all the above!

HEAVEN SOWNs inspiring blog post..The Beautiful Life!
20 Maureen May 3, 2009 at 4:03 pm: Whew… it was hard to come up with a list, but it was soooo important. Thank you again for this series. It has really been fun and challenging. I added my post tonight.

Maureens inspiring blog post..Gratitude
21 Jessica May 3, 2009 at 4:19 pm: things that make me happy, which I try not to take for granted: My loving husband, my quirky family, my crazy cats, my close friends (even though they are far away), my many wonderful books.
22 Monica May 3, 2009 at 6:07 pm: I am grateful for my health, my family, and coffee……….

Monicas inspiring blog post..Chalkboard Paint Makeover
23 juli Elgin May 3, 2009 at 7:11 pm: What makes me happy?
The rain tapping on the metal roof outside my bedroom window.
The sound of my boys laughing.
Seeing my puppy play ball. She loves to play ball.
A big ol mug of hot cocoa on a cold morning is a special mug that makes me smile.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Juli
24 juli Elgin May 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm: Sorry I forgot to add the link to my blog on the previous post.

juli Elgins inspiring blog post..I’m in the mood for a little sparkle
25 Jo - To a Pretty Life May 3, 2009 at 8:53 pm: The thing making me happiest right at this very moment is feeling the little kicks from my baby. He’s been pretty active today!

And funny you would mention the possibility of our procrastination projects going wrong…mine has! At least, it’s hit a bit of a road block. I am currently trying to hunt down a lead test kit. If I can’t find one, my project will likely wait another ten years to be completed

Jo – To a Pretty Lifes inspiring blog post..New Baby, New Furniture, and Garage Sale Season is Here!
26 Mrs. Petrie May 3, 2009 at 9:00 pm: Things that make me happy: rainy days, hot coffee, new clothes, my little girl, my dogs wrestling.

Mrs. Petries inspiring blog post..Blog Tag- I’m It!
27 Amy @ Living Locurto May 3, 2009 at 9:48 pm: Having free time to read and have quiet time makes me happy:-)

Amy @ Living Locurtos inspiring blog post..Weekly Meal Plan – Week 7
28 Farmwife May 3, 2009 at 9:49 pm: Things that make me happy –
Watching new baby goats frolic across their pen. Running as fast as I can down a dirt road. Seeing the sun come up over our fields. The fact that I have a house, food, family, and love.

Farmwifes inspiring blog post..Snow!
29 Janie Phillips May 4, 2009 at 2:27 am: I think the biggest thing making me happy right now (even with the swine flu thing) is that I get to fly home with my little man tomorrow, to spend some time with both sets of grandparents, as well as take his first trip to the beach! I can’t wait to have some professional pictures taken, spend time with family that I haven’t seen since my wedding, and buy all those little things that we don’t get overseas. I’m so pumped!
30 Abbie May 4, 2009 at 5:11 am: Bare, chubby, baby bottoms! I smile every time I change a diaper! (which adds up to lots of smiles in a day!)

Abbies inspiring blog post..A song. Or two.
31 Liz Mann May 4, 2009 at 6:59 am: my husband, my kids, rainy days in bed, walks by the river & hanging out with my friends.
32 J.J. May 4, 2009 at 8:59 am: I would love those red 6 inch bowls in red!!!!! They are so cute!

Lovely things:
soft baby cheeks
cool summer mornings
a snack of Dr. Pepper and club crackers
a letter in the mail

J.J.s inspiring blog post..Happy Mother’s Day a little early…
33 Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam May 4, 2009 at 10:09 am: Trying to figure out if I need to leave three comments for doing all three…I’ll go back to read what you said.
34 Susan May 4, 2009 at 11:08 am: My Blog about covers it -but FONTS make me super happy! They are so statement making and bold. I love them all and I had a fab weekend to boot!

Susans inspiring blog post..lifl
35 Christel May 4, 2009 at 11:20 am: Just a few things that make me happy: my God, my hubby, my girls, my family, my friends.

Christels inspiring blog post..And golf too
36 Jen E @ mommablogsalot May 4, 2009 at 11:31 am: What a fun idea – I had a great time coming up with my list – and that collection is just gorgeous!

Jen E @ mommablogsalots inspiring blog post..What Makes You Happy?
37 Lisa from celebrate CREATIVITY May 4, 2009 at 12:19 pm: A long-overdue project that is finally finished always makes me happy.

When it turns out exactly as I envisioned it, then that makes me even more happy-lol.

Lisa from celebrate CREATIVITYs inspiring blog post..Mom’s Day
38 Dana May 4, 2009 at 12:46 pm: Happy things: my sweet little girls, the promise of God’s everlasting love, my precious husband, wonderful friends and family to do life with.
39 Emily-Sarah Lineback May 4, 2009 at 2:06 pm: So many things make me happy: family, friends, good health, hot coffee, a deadline met, a decluttered room, a great read, your blog!, giveaways, and on and on the list could go …
40 Tammy May 4, 2009 at 3:30 pm: Things that make me happy: my kiddos, having a good job to go to each day,my sweet dogs and kitty, my nephews, my sisters, my mom, my friends, having a roof over my head and food on the table, being able to go on a field trip with my six year old, books, decorating blogs – wow, the list could go on and on. How nice to focus on what is going right in my life – thank you!

Tammys inspiring blog post..Friday Lovin’
41 Sparrow May 4, 2009 at 4:15 pm: Hi! Your blog makes me happy! Thanks. Jesus makes me happy everyday. So do God’s many gifts. Especially my caring husband and my wonderful, precious daughter.
42 Kathi May 4, 2009 at 5:43 pm: Family, friends, sunshine & the smell of freshly mowed grass.
43 Deb May 4, 2009 at 6:50 pm: What a beautiful and colorful line of dishes! Bright colors make me happy! i’d love to win.
44 Kari May 4, 2009 at 7:57 pm: BEAUTIFUL dishes!!! Wow! Love LOVED your post….your list is great!….your first six pretty much mirror mine….great minds think alike!! Yay!! You can’t get much better than Faith, Family and Friends…I agree…..throw in some Spring and SUMMER and whoohoo, have yourself a Party!!!

Karis inspiring blog post..Happy Things
45 Kari May 4, 2009 at 8:00 pm: I posted my happy things post!!

Karis inspiring blog post..Happy Things
46 Elizabeth S May 4, 2009 at 10:10 pm: I absolutely love pretty dishes – and they make me so happy! I also LOVE that I’m about to move in our “first” house – and the decorating makes me very very happy Very scared…but very happy!!!

Elizabeth Ss inspiring blog post..It’s turned into a novel…
47 Abbie May 5, 2009 at 2:31 am: Thanks for helping us focus on the beautiful things (like pretty dishes!) that surround us each day.

Abbies inspiring blog post..The little things
48 Tiffany May 5, 2009 at 6:40 am: Ahhh, things that make me happy…nursing my baby boy, cuddling, fresh & clean sheets, putting a dress on my little girl, kissing my baby’s chubby feet, taking pictures, time with family, cookouts, seeing my kid’s smile, a weekend away with my husband, etc. I could go on and on forever about things that make me happy. Life is good.

Tiffanys inspiring blog post..my hero
49 Gayle May 5, 2009 at 2:33 pm: It makes me happy this time of year, to go to the park twice a week and watch my SIL play softball – there’s nothing better than sitting in a comfy lawn chair and squinting into the sun while cheering the team on!
50 Pat May 5, 2009 at 6:34 pm: Tomorrow’s forcast makes me happy. After 11 days of rain it is to be dry tomorrow……woohoo! Also we found a terrific homeschool group to join in the fall. Life is good.
wirefox1@cox.net
51 katy May 5, 2009 at 6:46 pm: My children are happy and healthy, my 4yr. old daughter made it through a wreck this past Saturday and I’m happy happy and grateful grateful!! Life is good.

katys inspiring blog post..{Burlap Table Runner Giveaway}
52 Jaime May 6, 2009 at 6:06 am: Sunshine, spring flowers, date night, my children getting along I think when we stop and really think about our day we can find hundreds of things that went well verses a few things that went wrong!
p.s. I love, love those dishes!!!!

Jaimes inspiring blog post..04.21
53 Emily May 6, 2009 at 2:22 pm: Things that make me happy:
tulip season
my crazy dogs that drive me nuts but are still oh-so-cute
my awesome husband who makes the coffee for us every morning
HGTV
bookshelves full of books
blog giveaways

Cheers!

Emilys inspiring blog post..Who doesn’t like free stuff?
54 Katie May 6, 2009 at 2:40 pm: Cuddling up beside my husband in bed, sunshiny days, chirping birds, laughing.