According to the dictionary, happiness can best be defined as a state of well-being and contentment. But don't we all define happiness in different ways? Happiness for one person could be the opportunity to have a warm meal and a place of shelter, and for the next person it could be a pay-raise at their already high salary job. Always remember "For the grace of God go I", which means that through God we achieve these blessings of success, and they can be taken away as fast as they can be given to us. We are here to serve Him, not ourselves, and definitely not a world concerned only with selfish monetary value. A lot of us are so focused on the sense of materialistic happiness that is given to us through conspicuous consumption (I am speaking for myself as well), that we neglect to appreciate the small things in life that can make us happy. Here is a list of things that personally make me happy that have nothing to do with purchasing a new item, or attaining success in the form of money:

1. Waking up healthy and alive

2. Good music

3. A family that loves me unconditionally

4. A boyfriend who loves me unconditionally

5. Making a stranger smile

6. A home-cooked meal

7. An A on a test I studied hard for

8. A successful workout

9. My bed and a warm blanket

10. When a stranger holds the door for me

11. The laughter of a child

12. Sunshine

13. A good hair day

14. An inspirational bible verse

15. A warm bowl of oatmeal

16. The smell of fresh rain

17. A cool breeze on a summer day

18. Playing with a puppy or kitten

19. A warm bath on a cold day

20. The first snow of the year

21. Learning something new

22. The feeling of my feet on the warm sand

23. Christmas time

24. Reminiscing

25. Stargazing

26. A late night conversation

27. Compliments

28. Lana Del Rey's voice

29. Seeing a friend I haven't seen in long time

30. Love letters

Remember to always value the little things in life, no matter how small they are because I can promise you that in the end they hold MUCH MORE significance than anything in your life. Keep on smiling, and never let your head down!