I don’t know why I have such a hard time allowing myself to find happiness, but I do. Chasing happiness is even more important this year, as it can be one of the strongest forms of resistance. So I really need to find a way to allow myself to be happy.

In order to find happiness, I had to think about things that make me happy. So I made a list of some of the things that bring me joy.

1. Watching ocean waves
2. Reading
3. A really good burger
4. An indulgent dessert
5. Dancing
6. A bouquet of flowers
7. Getting surprise mail
8. Going to the zoo
9. Going to Disney
10. Nice comments on my blog or social media

Some of these I can do now, others are not possible at the moment. And perhaps there are more that I just haven’t found yet. I grew up in Southern California and lived 30 minutes from the beach, so I was able to watch waves whenever I needed. And I had memberships to the San Diego Zoo and Disneyland, so I frequented them as well. The beach is a couple hours away now, and my brother needs my car, so I don’t have transportation. Disney is off the table, right now, for so many reasons. As far as zoo, the transportation is an issue here as well, but there is a Wildlife Safari about 45 minutes from me.

But I can read, and I can dance, and I can post and hope for comments. And maybe someday, I’ll finally find a job so I can get flowers again, or go out for a burger or dessert.

But happiness is out there, I just have to let myself take it.