Yesterday, I asked 24 people a simple question: "What are two things you're happy about?". I tried to catch them with the question by surprise, and didn't tell them what it was for until after they answered. I originally planned to ask 50 people, but realized that this was quite time consuming and wanted to get the answers out sooner than later.
I can't tell you how rewarding this little project was. Because of it, I spent nearly my whole day yesterday talking to folks about things I never expected I would, or at least saying hello to old friends who I've lost touch with.
I wonder what would happen if everyone I asked this question even asked 5 people to do the same, how much of a good effect it would have on things. We're conditioned complainers, and it seems like just thinking about a couple things that make you happy instantly make you a little more at ease.
Buried in the below are two of my things. I wonder if you can find them. :)
- rspec seems to be working on rubinius
- i had a bad headache that is now gone
- drawing
- I just finished a fine cup of coffee
- the light coming from the skylight
- Memorial Day
- i’ll be happy when you leave me alone
- i have time to hack this weekend
- you
- gorgeous weather
- it’s not raining in indianapolis
- God
- I’m happy Insun is with us.
- Ruby
- i make enough money to go on exotic vacations
- beach sand
- my strange mind is finally useful for something
- friends and family
- Vinny
- I’m taking seriously the study of the Dharma.
- the warm days, birds in the trees, and sunshine
- travelling
- my wife
- I’m joining an ultimate league
- my life
- the foot massage I’m giving myself
- I’m madly in love with my wife. We just celebrated our 11th anniversary and it has just been a wonderful time to be together.
- my kids
- my wife
- my adult life is infinitely better than my childhood
- I’m currently experiencing a nice synergy between my job, hobbies, and friends that is making it easy to enjoy what I do everyday.
- I’ve made lots of good friends over the last year or two
- my kids, they are my greatest happiness
- the temperature is really nice
- good health
- I’m happy we’ve[my husband and I have] been together 11 years.
- friends
- programming
- delicious food that’s good for me, too
- books that I’ve read
- languages
- I might be going back to school
- my job
- my son is learning how to work for things that are important to him
- I’m writing open source software
- my sister got remarried
- it’s a sunny day
- my daughter has her head on straight
- bike riding
- I’m graduating
I might try this project with 25 strangers, and see what the difference is. Maybe you'll see that in a couple weeks. For now, thank you to those who humored me and answered this question honestly.
