13 things that make me happy (2 years later)

Narrowing it down to just 13 items was impossible, so it was by no means an exhaustive list. Just the first 13 things that came to mind.

Back then, I set a calendar reminder to check in on my list in five years and every two years after that. Today that calendar reminder popped up again. I love when that happens. Kind of like time travel. A Matthew Dicks from two years ago reaching back from the past to speak to me today.

It seems especially appropriate given it’s the day after Election Day. Even though millions of votes are still in need of counting and hope still exists, it’s shocking that an election this important is so close give the choices of candidates.

Once again, there is a chance that a minority of Americans will elect an incompetent, corrupt, self-serving bigot to the highest office of the land.

I needed a little happy today. The internet delivered.

I’m pleased (and a little surprised) to report that seven years later, my original list remains perfectly relevant. The 13 items that I put on the list back in 2013 continue to make me just as happy today.

1. Bluffing and winning a poker hand
2. Snow days
3. Ice cream for dinner
4. The perfect approach shot
5. Dancing with my wife
6. Reading to my children
7. Almost any Springsteen song
8. Seeing one of my novels on the shelf of a bookstore
9. A New England Patriots victory
10. Telling a story to a live audience
11. Watching my children experience pride in an accomplishment
12. Breakfast
13. Making my wife laugh

A few are admittedly harder to come by in 2020 given the state of the world.

“Telling a story to a live audience” only happens online at the moment, and it doesn’t make me nearly as happy as an actual stage.

Snow days may become a thing of the past with virtual learning making it possible to continue teaching from home regardless of the blizzard raging outside.

The New England Patriots are mired in their worst losing streak in nearly two decades, but if they were going to flounder for a year, at least it’s the year when I can’t attend the games.

Despite these stumbling blocks, the list remains the same. It was good in 2013, and it’s still just as good today. Many new things make me happy in 2020, but those things from 2013 are still making me happy today.

In fact, I’ve been listening to Springsteen since I awoke. Breakfast is just around the corner.

I set another reminder for two years from now. We’ll see what happens then.

I’d love to see your list if you’d like to share.