Encouragment

When Eldon was in Arizona, I would get pretty down being all by myself so I created a list to cheer myself up. I thought about some of my favorite things that made me smile. I thought of each of the five senses and picked five things that I loved in each one (actually since taste is really just my favorite foods, that's boring so I skipped it and I made my list four favorite things from four of the senses). 
Now, since I'm just bored, I thought I would share my list and encourage others to create their own. When you're bummed about something or just stressed out, take a moment and focus on the things that make you happy and smile. Look at pictures, listen to music or whatever it is that calms you down. It will pick you up and you'll feel better. Try it.


Just so you know, I know most of mine are about the beach but I can't deny that's what makes me smile.


Sight: 

Sunsets over the beach

Any water feature (waterfalls, lakes, rivers etc.)

Fire- I just can't look away

Flowers

Sounds:
SPORTS SOUNDS -This might need to be explained...I love hearing the sounds of sports like the crack of a bat hitting a baseball, a basketball hitting nothing but net, the sound you hear when catching a football, pounding of running feet on pavement and so on.
CRASHING OF THE WAVES -Especially when it's late at night and you hear the waves while lying in bed falling asleep...mmm love it!
LAUGHTER -It can be little babies or a group of friends but laughing is one of my favorite things ever
STEEL DRUMS -I think the steel drums are one of the coolest sounding instruments


Touch:
I absolutely love the feeling of the SUN ON MY SKIN.
The WARM HAND OF A LOVED ONE wrapped around my own hand, especially when mine is cold
A LIGHT SCRATCH on my back or arms
WARM SAND in between my toes and surrounding my feet


Smells: other than the obvious food, candles, flowers and lotion
SALT in the air from the ocean... you could just call this the BEACH (but not the stinky beaches that smell like fish)
CEDAR WOOD (sometimes I smell the clock I made that's hanging on our wall- yeah I know it's weird)
LEATHER - I don't think this really needs explaining
SURFBOARD WAX- It's sort of sweet and delicious smelling, even my young women think so