BYOH: Ten Things That Bring Me Peace

BYOH: Build Your Own Happiness or How to hack your own happiness buttons.

Today: Ten things that bring me peace.

Solitude. Quiet time, all to myself, brings me peace. This seems like a no-brainer, but I need this every day. This is one of the reasons that I wake up so early, while the rest of the family is asleep, so that I can enjoy my own company and be alone with my own thoughts, while I’m alert.
A pile of books. Even if I don’t read them right away, it’s nice having a pile of books by my side, so that when I get bored or the internet goes out, I have something to keep me occupied.
Music. Whether it’s pop, hip-hop, nature, or jazz, having music, at my fingertips helps lift my mood or allows me to express myself, even if my mood is decidedly blue.
My notebook. I always have all kinds of ideas on the tip of my brain. Having a notebook allows me to jot my thoughts down so I can refer to them later, even if it’s not right away.
Butterflies. Butterflies inspire me, so I keep lots of pictures of butterflies nearby to remind me that sometimes life sucks but I will emerge from hard times even better than when I started.
Yarn. Sometimes I need to create something to relieve frustration. Keeping a ball of yarn handy helps me to turn negative energy into something positive.
Ambient noise. The sound of an electric fan. The sound of crickets. The sound of waves crashing. Repetitive noise helps me tune out other noises and helps me remain calm and focused.
The knowledge that there is someone I can talk to. Whether or not they are immediately available to me, it’s comforting to know that there is someone out there who I can express myself to.
Being there for others. Knowing that there is someone out there who needs me, and finds comfort in connecting with me, brings me peace.
Aromatherapy. Certain smells, like vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar make me smile, so everyone spritzing myself or lighting a candle is a simple thing to do to lift my mood.

Feel free, to visit my Facebook page and tell me what kind of things that you do to push your own happiness buttons or drop a line in the comments section. I would really love to hear from you.