A few weeks ago, I began a list of 1,000 Happiness-es to chronicle (?), keep track of, remember… to better offer up the joys and "phews!" that I stumble upon in this new life. I'd read a book called "1,000 Gifts" that delved deep into the healing power of gratitude – almost winch-like in plucking us out of the muck and mire of despair.
With all of the changes – some welcome and some not – of the last few months, a list of 1,000 Happiness-es of "Thankfuls" seemed to be an easy wendy road towards joy and a life more full – of gratitude at the very least. If God is Himself and every good and perfect gift comes from him and if he never leaves us or kicks us to the curb, then I'm thinking that he deserves gratitude. Thankfuls one – 105 can be found here, http://allielousch.myadventures.org/?filename=1000-happinesses.
We'll see how far this next list wanders and please add your own in the comments!
106. inside jokes with family & pals (Squirrel! & "Run in a zig zag motion…")
107. an action movie that keeps me on the edge of my seat, but doesn't make me blush
108. finally running into people I know (twice in one night & two places!)
109. knowing the caliber of people, my kids continue to become – challenges me
110. Spellczech
111. Not having to know all the answers or much of anything (drives me bonkers, but there's life in it)
112. KATIE IS COMING!
113. scrabbling a list of Top 100 Reasons We Like to Work at Adventures in Missions at my desk
114. Friday night's sunset; it seemed to shine from Gainesville to Manhattan brilliantly (see the photo that Suzy Smith took here in Georgia)
115. finding humor in ridiculous situations, "Note to self: Don't buy stockings that are too big even though they're cute & on sale. Just. Don't. Do. It. Ever."
116. All of the practice I was given in Manhattan re: festive neighborhoods. The pogo sticking upstairs doesn't bother me too much…yet.
117. A good word spoken at the right time – even though it may have been hard, it was life offering
118. Reading again! Carving time away from things that monopolize to things that bring life, reading the Zookeepers Wife about a Polish family who sheltered the hunted people of the second world war
119. was that an invitation to dodge to church in my pj's?
120. Leavings & partings, though utterly painful, that return me to depending on God for every thing
121. Nathan Salley's bike picture
122. Bike culture (where can a girl find a safe & thriving American bike culture outside of Portlandia?)
123. Even with my pink hair, punkish background, Gillian Welch's version of I'll Fly Away
124. stocking weather
125. Eddie Vedder's, the Long Road
126. Mimi has walked through something physically tough; the family & prayers that surround her
127. color and variations of texture and form
128. Monday morning music that takes my breath away
129. A feast of daily bread
130. salon quality haircuts in the kitchen with laughing!
131. realizing that as much as I love to climb, hike, & cycle – I'm lousey at planning the needed details or fixing my bike. dealing with it.
132. the joy of reading a book and finding something marvelous therein – something to savor
133. Reading with a pencil in hand & paper nearby
134. There is a certain joy to simplifying and being resourceful – doing all I can do to stand and then watching God move.
135. "So shines a good deed in a weary world." Thanks Shakespear & Willy Wonka
136. Seeing an old restored Buick on the way to work & stopping to take pictures
137. Sometimes…pigs do fly
138. only falling over 2X doing Ann's Holy Yoga…Holy Contortion!
139. prayers answered (Nikki M! & Jules!)
140. finally swimming again
141. hearing german spoken while at the pool
142. kindnesses
143. sunny winter days
144. Adele's Rumor Has It blaring on the way to the pool
145. driving through the foggy soggy mountains around Helen, Ga
146. LEGOs (need I say more?)
147. safely bundled under a heap of blankets & books during a torrential rain storm and long tornado watch
148. making good on a hard-to-fill promise
149. Elachee in the rain
150. Comraderie among soggy hikers today
151. anonymous kindnesses
152. courage Rep. Giffords showed in caring more for her constiuents than her nameplate
153. Dove Chocolates (they say sweet things and are…chocolate)
154. surprise of seeing Laura & Leah leading worship today!
155. warm toes
156. clean sheets
157. clean home
158, swim pass
159. Betty's cookies and the truest heart that goes into baking them
160. The people with whom I get to work
161. Melinda Guerra
162. getting to hear my friend, Trish's, heart & prayers. so thankful
163. homemade chicken & veggie soup when I'm home with achy breaky head & bod
164. the drive to work in a sun-drenched foggy morning
165. "marathonging" & "marathinging"
166. "Daydreaming is free"
167. big bear hugs (minus the bear)
168. answered prayers – so many answered prayers around Adventures! encourages
169. This How to Wash Your Cat video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9QwK5EHSmg
170. Photo of the Glory Chapel (look left)
171. A Bollywood music video that a friend posted – it as so fun though I blushed (not a tough feat)
172. Warm winter sun
173. Eclectic good music
174. This American Life with Ira Glass, http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
175. Chance to get to know someone with defences down
176. Only 19 more times and this "holy yoga" becomes a habit
177. Flint HIlls, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimrichardsonphotography/2991749152/in/photostream/
178. And the photographers who capture this place and it's beauty, http://ksuphoto.zenfolio.com/
179. skype with kids & pals
180. perspective
181. Katie is here!
182. Lunch with Katie & then working side by side on the web…which is like vacation
183. Eat at Thai, then late Friday night haircuts when we met another Kansan
184. Naia 2007 & the Saint on the "telly"
185. Updates from KT's Dave & kids: Happy Happy
186. Talking about the kiddos in good company
187. learning that Dahlonega is so close to my front door
188. Drive between Helen & Dahlonega in good company
189. The jerky guy telling us about how he loves to take his family outside – Ziplining!
190. THAT FIRST MOMENT THAT I CAN EVER RECALL OF KNOWING I WAS LOVED FOR ME – Warts and All…it was delicious and peaceful…and freeing. So grateful for kids and friends like I've been given.
195. The privilege of saying Goodbye to my best pal, Katie, as she left to board a flight. Even the tears were sweet.
196. Finding "Big" in the $5 section of Target
197. Solutions at IKEA with a $50 gift card
198. Texts from Katie & Dave as she flew homeward
199. Reading The Golden Acorn, a kids' book, and not worrying about the spiritual implications-just enjoying it
200. Remembering that I'm adult and not worrying about that.
The 200s of Happinesses can be found here.
