As I thought about this question, it’s amazing how many things in my life have changed since my stroke. Several years ago I would have answered this with things like fishing, golfing, and even working because I traveled for a living and climbed and trimmed trees all over America. Some things are the same, such a reading and writing and gardening, but so many new things have come along, too.

DIY projects. This is new for me because I now have the time to do projects, even though it sometimes takes me a very long time. What would have once took me an hour now takes a day or two, but that’s okay. I don’t mind.

Dumpster diving! I’ll take my 17 y.o. son with me and we’ll drive around construction sites on the weekend to see what kind of materials we can find in dumpsters. I never in my life would have thought that would bring me happiness, but man oh man. When we hit a jackpot, the dopamine goes crazy.

Farming and gardening. I always liked making little flowerbeds around our house, but I seriously never had a chance to actually do farm stuff and actual gardening because of the hectic life I once led in the rat race. Which brings me to the next thing.

Slowness. Taking my time makes me happy. Taking the backroads to town. Sitting on the porch and watching it rain, feeling the breeze and smelling the air. I know that sounds like something an elderly person would love, and that’s okay. I now know why they enjoy it. Going slower reduces SO much stress.

And number 5 is simple. Still being alive to enjoy my life. Not being so disabled I can’t do anything is a plus, and though I do have disabilities, I am no longer letting that keep me depressed. So what if it takes me ten times longer to do a project. At least I am still here to do the project, and at least I can still do the project!

Those are just 5 of the things that make me happy. I could go on all day, but I need to make some sawhorses today. I watched a DIY video and it seems pretty easy. So with that, I’m heading outside to enjoy the day.

Till next time…

Daily writing prompt

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

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