So like I mentioned in my last post... I am currently reading I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones, and I think that it is safe to say that she is probably my number one girl crush - that I have never actually met. 

I look forward (in the mornings) to getting up and taking 15 minutes to read that book. It's like sitting down and having a conversation with my best friend. Like - she KNOWS M-E! Seriously she's changing my life, one day at a time. 

The other day I read about taking time out of my life, to focus on me. To discover, understand, and partake in things that make ME happy. Then she asked me to think about what makes me happy. Really, truly, overjoyed. What makes me mentally, spiritually, and physically happy?? 

This was a weird question for me to answer... Because of course I immediately think of all the myriad of things in my life that make me happy. However, does that mean that they bring true purpose, meaning, and continuous joy to my life? (Like, pancakes make me happy lol, buuuut they don't really bring meaning, purpose or continuous joy to my life ha ha ha). 

So after much contemplation I designed a list of 10 things that make me truly, and deeply happy. (In no particular order...)

1. New. I love NEW! Places, people, shoes, books, restaurants, food... New means that in MY life, it's uncharted territory. It's something I have yet to experience, live, and partake in. It's an adventure waiting to happen! 

2. Family. I am obsessed with my family. Seriously, nothing brings be more joy than to sit around and do nothing with them. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family that was super close - I have incredible relationships with my immediate family, as well as my extended. Some of my best friends are my cousins, my husband, my mom, and my daughter. I am 100% Katie, ALL the time when I am with my family. And they accept that - crying, laughing, angry, frustrated, sad, happy, excited ... They love all and accept all of me. 

3. Learning. I love to learn. Reading, watching, doing, seeing, copying, I love to learn. From formal learning surrounding my field of expertise, to little every day tips and tricks that help me live a better life. The ability to learn and to grow continuously as people - what a GIFT! Knowledge really and truly is power. The more I learn, and grow, the more I understand life; from improving upon small everyday situations to overcoming big and overwhelming tasks. Knowledge makes me interesting, and well rounded, and gives me the chance to see beyond my own perspective.

4. Teaching - goes hand in hand with learning. It's a beautiful circle: I learn something, I teach/share it, someone else learns something so they teach/share it and so on and so forth. I love being able to share, and teach what it is I have learned, discovered and found. From hefty research backed school projects, to every day little things in my own life. Knowledge is power - but only if I am willing to share, teach, and put in to practice for MYSELF what it is I have learned. 

5. Lifting Weights/Exercise. This has recently become an obsessive investment in myself. The road has been long, hard, and sometimes unpaved in my own personal life, but it has been 11 consistent months of working out 5-6 times a week. (As I type that, I cannot help smiling to myself, because honestly, if you had told me that I would accomplish this, or look like this, or feel this way about exercise a year ago - I probably would have laughed, and then cried.) Talk about an accomplishment. And, quite frankly, its an obsessive investment in myself that I am not willing to bargain, give up, or throw away. I am learning to love my strength, stamina, persistence, and body in a whole new and beautiful way. 

6. Artistic Creation. I love to create things. From small household projects, to big household renovations. I love the creativity, imagination, and work designing and making something all by yourself involves. I also love small crafty projects, projects that involve Ruby. And baking or cooking! Because those are artistic as well - and the end results are simply delicious. :) I love the feeling of pride, sense of self, accomplishment, and confidence when I take on a task, project, vision that only I can see, and when it's finished - BAM! I feel like a million bucks :) 

7. Reading. I. Love. Reading!! I love falling in love, going on an adventure, changing my personal perspective, gaining knowledge, and solving mysteries. Books have the ability to make a lasting impression on my life - quotes, moments, characters - some of them I never forget. They can open my mind up to a world I never knew existed, and change me for the better. 

8. Service. Being able to serve those around me that might be less fortunate, or just need a smile, a hug, the dishes done. NOTHING! Makes my day brighter than the ability to improve upon, or help someone else's day become a little less burdensome. 

9. Self-Reflection/Journaling. This is a relatively new one for me, but being able to unload all my thoughts, worries, joys, frustrations on a piece of paper, or a blog, or whatever from I chose that day is freeing. I have the opportunity now to go back and look at all the many beautiful things I was able to push through and achieve; especially in those moments, when I thought I couldn't get through, or that I wasn't worth it. I made it! What a gift to see the many things my family has been able to accomplish, partake in, and be blessed with. 

10. The Gospel. I am grateful for my faith in God, and the belief that I have of his continuous and constant existence in my day to day life. I love knowing that he has blessed me with this earth to live on, this family to raise, and this life to live. It's the only one I'm going to get - and I am going to make sure that I continuously strive to make it the best one I can. 

Making this list gave me the time to ponder quietly the things in my life that are important to me. The things in my life that go in to making Katie, Katie. My family, my education, my passions, my hobbies, my faith are pivotal in piecing me together, and getting a whole person. 

Take the time, look inside your life, and discover what makes you, you?! What makes you tick? What bring you true, unending, beautiful joy?! What lights up your world, and makes you feel accomplished?! Brings you peace?! Helps you feel confident?! Discovering what makes you a happy healthy person, helps to make you a truly happy and healthy person :)