A little over a year ago, I looked at my life and realized I wasn't really sure which elements of it made me happy or unhappy. Work? Meh. Not really. Shopping? It's fun, but a sort of transitory happiness. Cooking? Nope. Never! I was just doing things, without really considering what brought me joy. Which felt very strange, because as a kid, I was happy all the time without thinking about it.
What changed?
So I went to a little coffee shop one day and mused on the subject over a nice big lunch. I discovered that many of the enjoyable things I used to do as a child were forgotten or pushed aside, while obligations always took their place. Resolved to uncover my own personal formula for happiness, I came up with this list.
Things That I Love(d)
- Time with family and friends
- Reading
- Writing
- Taking purposeless walks
- Listening to music
- Freedom
I also really like making lists. But I wouldn't say that I love them, so that didn't make the list. :)
That day of musing was the precursor to Dynam. I wrote the first chapter that same afternoon, determined as I was to reclaim the things I loved, but had forgotten about.
I wonder how many of us out there in the world forget about what we did when we were kids. Summer vacation meant endless hours to spend (mostly) however you pleased. The time to figure out what you actually like doing existed.
Now, there is rarely enough time.
At the suggestion of a close friend, I added a speech bubble on this old photo. That's my brother, Justin, and me, reading a story together. At the time I was called "Sammy." NOT something I miss or love in any way. :)
There we are, reading away. Because that's what we wanted to do. It made us happy.