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What do you do that helps you bring happiness and excitement into your life?

This passion prompt is really two questions in one for me. I don’t see happiness and excitement as the same thing at all. In fact, some of the things that bring me the most happiness would be considered coma inducing for excitement junkies.

Let me explain. The main thing that brings me happiness is being with the people and dog I love. I know, what a snooze. But for me, that’s what I want in my life. I love being snug at home with my sweetheart and my son and our darling pup. It doesn’t really matter what we’re doing, although I would much rather watch a movie than scrub toilets, in case anyone was starting to question my sanity. Running errands, doing yard work, or cooking and sharing a meal are all causes for happiness, when the company is good.

Another thing that makes me happy is taking good care of myself. I’m happy when I eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. I’m happy when I’m caught up on my work, my home is orderly, and I don’t have deadlines looming over my head. When I’m able to avoid procrastination and be productive, my sense of well being soars. None of those things are sexy, or exciting, but they lead to satisfaction and contentment, and happiness.

Now if you want to talk about excitement, I do have my share, but I’m sure most people would consider my view of excitement as tame. Still, it’s my prompt and my perspective, so here goes. I find excitement in trying new experiences. They don’t have to be earth shattering to be enlightening. To that end, I really enjoy traveling. Shaking up daily routine and seeing new parts of the planet excites me. I love finding little treasures in unexpected places and learning about the history and culture of other areas, even within my own state. Even small day trips are exciting to me. On a recent outing I was thrilled to find the perfect flying pig for my backyard nestled among iron coyotes and ceramic pots. As I do my laps in the backyard pool, it encourages me to embrace the seemingly impossible.

My take on fun and excitement has certainly changed over the years, but I’m ok with that. I’m having the time of my life.

I have no idea where these will lead me, but I sort of like having them. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, or why I’m starting with 25, you need only look down the page a bit. Mystery solved!

25. Save up for a really cool family vacation

26. Try to listen to my teenager better instead of just talking at him

27. Talk to mom more

28. Discover more of my state (there are tons of hidden treasures I’ve never seen)

29. Take more photos on my actual camera instead of my phone

30. Learn some new aspects of the job I’ve been doing for a long time

31. Figure out some additional ways to get income into the household

32. Take better care of my car (it has over 100,000 miles and it has to last!)

33. Fit better in my clothes

34. Lighten up mentally!

35. Surprise my sweetheart with a weekend away

36. Girls only day trip

37. Climb that stupid mountain

38. Read magazines, then recycle (so hard to part with some of them, and no, I’m NOT a hoarder)

39. Push my limits in all ways

40. Don’t forget to be kind, to myself and others

41. Look good in THOSE jeans again

42. Give myself a reason to replace my sneakers at this time next year

43. Sing even if I’m not great at it

44. Do more with less

45. Get things done right away when possible

46. Have fun

47. Enjoy life

Ok, so some of them are really vague, and the last two are just plain license to mess around, but if I do all those others I figure I’ve earned it, right? The good news is that there’s no challenge police. It’s just me and my list, and you too, if you care to play along at home.