Apart from the obvious one (my daughter), the main thing I have at the moment is my job. I'm lucky enough to work in a job where I know I am directly helping people. Knowing that people are surviving because of something I do makes a big difference to my life. It's so rewarding. Any chance you could do some voluntary work? Apart from helping you feel good it would also help you meet people and learn new skills.

So much to be thankful for, my daughter, my home, my family. What helps me to not feel unhappy is to not watch the news, it's all bad news anyhow. What makes me feel happy is watching stories of people who in the midst of tragedy reach out and help others in any way they can. Like the couple who advertised to use their pumps for free from their business to help storm survivers pump out their homes and basements or the guy who hooked up a power strip to his truck battery so survivors could charge their phones. Those kinds of stories renew my faith in people and inspire me to start helping others.

OK Joanie,
I don't go out a lot. I shop when I have to and I am retired, so I am home alone a lot. I am happy, and I have friends, but what truly makes me happy is the 1 thing I do for myself a year. I save all year long, don't spend much more than I have to and use the money for my yearly trip to the sun. Last year it was 2 months and that was a couple weeks to long because of the wind that starts in March. I had beach front on the Caribbean. Beautiful beach, not crowded, warm water. A wonderful dock and the reef for snorkeling was a short swim away. I ended up paying $3,000. including everything for that trip.
All I truly care about is sun and water so I don't need a five star hotel. I've had my reservations for this place sine I got home last March and I now got a pretty cheap ticket so I am set. I am excited already and this trip keeps me going for the whole year. This year will be a little different as my 2 grown boys want to go. That will be fun, since there are 2 bedrooms. They will only stay 2 weeks. They are excited as well. I will be there 6 weeks this year.

Those are all inspiring things. It is nice to read your stories. Thank you for sharing. You all seem like good people.

I am lucky to have some brilliant and understanding friends, a very supportive family and a job that suits me in all but pay level :) I have a fantastic hobby; Scouting ( in the UK so perhaps a little different to what you might be thinking)
BUT
If my head is NOT in a place where I can focus on all of those positives......or I am stressed and don't feel able to express it to anyone for now.....

I KNIT

Badly and slowly......but that's what I do :)

Without a doubt, its my son. He is 15 next week, so a typical teenage boy who frustrates me often, However, my heart fills to bursting with love when I see him, or just think about him. And I have to say - DS makes me happy. Being on the board and reading news that friends have managed to escape and are safe, or someone is feeling much better and has made a positive step forward. This place rocks, it saved my life

Do you know what else makes me happy? A much sillier simple one. Walks in the rain. I don't know why. I love it. I think it makes me feel alive. What makes you happy (or used to)?

I agree with Beansprout......being on DS has been absolutely life saving..... changed my thought from "I don't want life anymore" to "I don't want THIS life anymore" a HUGE difference...and mostly down to having the people here to show that it IS possible. Several people here have held my sanity together through horrible weeks and terrifying moments of total doubt. They know who they are :)
and you never know quite what might help another person....but giving someone a damned good listening to...is totally priceless.

I do a gratitude list. It helps me focus on the good things in my life. I pet my sweet kitty cat. I go sit outside & soak in nature. I listen to music. I meditate. I write poetry. I photograph the beauty in nature. I look at photos of my kids & grandkids.

DS was a lifesaver for me too.

From the day I moved out on my own, I made sure I watched as many funny tv shows/movies as I could. At least one a day. Laughter is very healing.

There is nothing I love more than gardening and hiking through the woods I love getting up early in the morning before the rest of the world awakens, listening to the birds sing as the sun begins to burst out across the sky. I also enjoy sitting out next to a campfire as the sun sets in the evening listening for the hoot owls and waiting for the crickets to start singing.

I love how the crickets and cicadas start humming and thrumming really loud right before a monsoon breaks... it reminds me of the evenings in the Costa Rican rain forest right at the beginning of the rainy season. The whole rain forest comes alive as if it were itself a single living being.

I love watching the waves break across the sands and the water cold against my feet while young children hope over the waves splashing and laughing!

Gosh, this gets me to thinking of how much I would love even a small vacation next year!

***sigh***

In my book the elusive "happiness" will always take a back seat to PEACEFUL. What makes me peaceful? The sun coming up in a clear morning sky. Walking from the house to the barn to feed my lovely horse, Rio, and having one or two of my cats accompany me. Digging in the dirt! I am an avid perennial gardener and every spring I am amazed at how the labors of my 24-year love affair with this farm have multiplied! A pot of homemade soup simmering on the stove. A nice cup of hot chocolate on a winter afternoon. Peaceful is a wonderful thing!

What makes me happy?

The sun pouring through my kitchen window in the morning. Waking up knowing that my world will be just as I left it last night. Watching TV with my 20 year old son, and having awesome adult conversations with him. Marinating my food with herbs from my organic herb garden. Laughing with my friends around the kitchen table. Picking apples. Going down to the shoreline and just listening to the ocean, looking for beach glass, smelling the salt air. Meditating. Seeing a sundog, or a rainbow . Listening to the crickets as I fall asleep.

This world is full of wonder and abundance. Joy comes from within.

My kids and music. Today my son told me he wants me to teach him the violin----DOUBLE HAPPINESS!

All these things sound wonderful. Thank you everyone for sharing in your happy moments and peaceful moments.

Besides my boys and two dogs. What makes me happy is baking cookies and brownies and seeing the happiness on my childrens faces. Oh yaeh and walking in the rain also and letting my 7 year old now jump in the puddles. The giggle is priceless.