Without the mention of any humans, any departed souls, any pets, what make you the happiest?

[Gaer]

Is it a "thing", a 'feeling" an "activity"; what in your life makes you happy?

 

[squatting dog]

 

[Gary O']

Being in the mountains does it for me



A warm cabin makes it more so







Wrote a bit about it when living up there


someone, in another forum, posed the question; ‘What is your definition of a cabin?’

My reply;

For me?

It's more than even Kinkaid could replicate.
It's warmer than the warmest of wood stoves.
It has more charisma than the grandest of orators,
more appeal than the most opulent edifice built.

Yet it's simpler than the simplest of abodes.
...all the while doing its modest magic

Turning a mason jar to a drinking glass,
a tuna can to an ash tray,
a wooden apple box to a cabinet,
a burlap bag to a slip cover,
favorite old clothes to attire of choice,
a stranger to an acquaintance,
an acquaintance to a friend,
a wife to a mistress,

a life....to living.


And for me,

it's now home.

 

[Knight]

Day to day life with my wife.

 

[seadoug]

Walking by the lake, especially in Spring when everything is blooming, feels ethereal.

 

[mrstime]

My DH and DS.

OOPS said no humans. But that it. The chocolate chunk cookies DH brings me from Subway.

 

[Disgustedman]

When the opportunity to help arises. A consoling word, a time just listening, an understanding of what they're going through.

That and waking up pain free.

 

[Amelia B]

Indian vegetarian food, books that enthrall me and teach me something new, freshly fallen snow.... and so much more!

 

[palides2021]

Creating something, whether music, painting, or writing makes me happy. It's a feeling where time stands still and you are lost in the moment; a peaceful moment, with no worry or care in the world.

 

[NorthernLight]

Listening to science and astronomy podcasts.

 

[jujube]

The ocean, the mountains and rivers/streams/creeks/waterfalls make me happy.

 

[HoneyNut]

I like walking in the woods.

 

[Feelslikefar]

Learned that just wanting to be left alone sometime, is not selfish.
When all the things I must do have been taken care of, Me Time makes me happy and I no longer feel guilty.
Also, learning when you partner needs that same thing.

 

[Happy Retiree]

Painting, sewing, etc. All of my hobbies. My cup of java in the morning. Playing with our kitty, Bambi.

 

[Lara]

Love

 

[Teacher Terry]

Reading, walking outside and going on vacation to see historical sites.

 

[Tish]

The cool mornings, hearing all types of animal stirring.
Sitting outside with a cup of coffee just enjoying being alive.

 

[horseless carriage]

View attachment 272498 View attachment 272499

What do I enjoy? It might go against the grain among so many who enjoy retirement, I love going to work. Reason being the job is enjoyable, it's like having a hobby that I am paid for. Work stimulates me, the cut and thrust of it, the interaction with others, putting it right when it all goes wrong, How I shall miss it when the final day arrives, that is presumably, that I am still compos mentis.

Outside of work I carry on with the, work hard, play hard, mantra. Dancing has always been a passion and dancing to a big band more so.

Music from the swing/jazz period is high on my list of enjoyable past times. At home I listen to that kind of music on my vintage jukebox.

Not one to shy from the camera, or an audience, I will happily show off when all eyes are on me, that probably comes from my previous working life where I was the head honcho. Being assertive goes with the territory when you are responsible for the actions of many.

My hobbies are all vintage related in one way or another, whether it's the way I dress,

or the car that I drive,

vintage just makes me happy.

 

[timoc]

Finding a Mars Bar in the lining of a coat I'd not worn for a while.... it tasted delicious too.

 

[Lady]

Im happiest when im out walking in the Countryside I love , whether it be a field of Golden Barley swaying in the breeze , or a newly turned field , I love the smell of fresh earth , I love to pick Blackberries from the hedge row , and see Combine Harvesters going through the fields havesting the crops that have grown from one season to another .

 

[Georgiagranny]

Flower garden. Music.

 

[Lee]

Picking veggies that I grew myself.

 

[Magna-Carta]

The thing that makes me the happiest is the sense of belonging to and being part of something that feels infinitely bigger and older than I am.

Just one example of this could be walking in the countryside & looking at the features of the landscape around me.

This being typical of the landscape I might walk in. I see here eroded 300 million year old hills on the right & in the background, made of limestone. I see a tropical shallow sea in the forground. (a photo I took):



Lake District National Park -- North West England. I've slept overnight on the top of some of these mountains. It was something I felt I needed to do:

 

[MarkD]

Walking in nature,



plants



my garden



novels



and music.

 

[Della]

Doing a jigsaw puzzle while listening to The Moth Radio Hour.
Baking cookies.
Reading a good novel.
Sweeping the porch on a nice day.
Being first up in the morning with a quiet cup of coffee.
Sitting down with a cup of tea in the afternoon knowing the house is in perfect order.