117 awesome things + 1 awesome giveaway

 

According to The Toronto Star, "Neil Pasricha is the guru of small joys." I couldn't agree more. Neil is also the author of The Book of Awesome and, more recently, The Book of (Even More) Awesome. If you haven't read the first one, I'd highly recommend it. (You can check out my review here: 5 Benefits of Awesome.) Neil sent me copies of both books to review and both of them were truly inspiring. You can read about a lot of awesome things on his website, 1,000 Awesome Things, but there's something compelling about reading his books. They serve as such positive reminders that, in a world filled with a great deal of tragedy and pain, there really are some awesome things to be happy about. As Publisher's Weekly put it, "Pasricha emerges a committed but inviting optimist, combating life's unending stream of bad news by identifying opportunities to share a universal high-five with humanity." 

I couldn't have said it better myself. Neil's latest book is a joy to read, both inspiring and at times laugh-out-loud funny. I found myself reading through it once and then going back again for quick pick-me-ups. After flipping through it many times, I decided to make my own personal list of awesome things and it was such a great exercise. I'd highly recommend trying it! And, if you don't feel up to that task or just want some inspiration, check out The Book of (Even More) Awesome. And if you want some free inspiration, check out the end of the post to learn how you can win a copy of the book! 

 

117 Awesome Things 

1. Listening to live music at a great venue (yay for summer concerts!)
2. Taking long, cold gulp of water or a frozen popsicle on a really hot day 
3. Playing fetch with an adorable dog
4. Opening the mail to find an unexpected letter from a friend
5. Standing on the sand and watching sunset spread color across the sky
6. Spotting a lone star in a break in the clouds on an overcast evening
7. Watching the trees bloom a little bit each day during the spring 
8. Spending an afternoon in a bookstore
9. Seeing the color orange
10. Learning a new fact for the first time (or sharing a new fact)
11. Organizing a specific area, stepping back, and looking at your hard work
12. Having complete faith in yourself or someone you love
13. Driving across the country down winding roads and up into mountains
14. Reading a horoscope and having it sound true
15. Donning sunglasses and a bathing suit on a summer day
16. Spotting butterflies flitting around in the month of August
17. Walking through the front door to wagging tails and happy hugs
18. Laughing so hard you feel as if you might never stop
19. Pulling something warm and soft out of the dryer and putting it on 
20. Thinking of something that makes you laugh when no one else is around
21. Looking up to see a sky filled with fluffy white clouds
22. Celebrating any -- and all! -- holidays to the fullest
23. Seeing your favorite or lucky number and feeling delighted
24. Hitting all of the green lights when you're in a hurry
25. Putting decorations and lights up on a Christmas tree
26. Looking in the mirror and loving what you see (no matter what it is!)
27. Knowing all the words to a favorite song
28. Making the right decision and sticking with it, no matter what anyone says
29. Opening and getting creative with a brand new pack of markers
30. Seeing palm trees of any kind, anywhere
31. Dropping a note in the mail that you know will brighten someone's day
32. Being completely comfortable when you're by yourself
33. Finding new uses for old things (thank you to Real Simple for tons of tips!)
34. Flying across the country in a mere five hours
35. Making a CD of your favorite songs and giving it to someone you love
36. Finishing a crossword puzzle with every single word filled in correctly
37. Reading a great quote that you really connect with
38. Anticipating a much-awaited vacation
39. Watching old TV shows with the person you originally watched it with
40. Looking at fashion from previous decades (especially '80s, '70s, '60s!)
41. Knowing that, no matter how bad your day was, tomorrow is a new day
42. Revisiting your favorite books from childhood
43. Seeing glitter, sparkling lights, and anything twinkling
44. Staying up all night...and sleeping in all day
45. Spotting something that is an unexpectedly miniature form
46. Waking up from an amazing dream that leaves you with a happy feeling 
47. Receiving positive encouragement and support from others
48. Catching a good Lifetime movie (or two) on a rainy Sunday
49. Taking a long walk and seeing something really awesome in nature
50. Watching squirrels gathering and hiding nuts for the winter
51. Killing with kindness someone who has a very bad attitude 
52. Remembering that life is short and really taking advantage of today
53. Looking out into the ocean and thinking, "Wow. That looks endless." 
54. Giving someone a gift you know s/he will really, really like
55. Spotting the first flower, or the first specs of green, in the springtime 
56. Finding your way after you've gotten extremely lost
57. Going to an interesting museum and seeing history in a new light
58. Sitting outside when the weather is perfect with a great book
59. Waking up to someone smiling at you 
60. Landing safely after a questionable plane ride
61. Being confident enough to ask someone else for help
62. Avoiding unnecessary drama in your life
63. Knowing that things you've donated are going to those in need
64. Being a grown up and kid simultaneously 
65. Putting on a brand new pair of stilettos that actually feel comfortable
66. Tripping on a curb and then laughing at yourself
67. Folding all of your clothing neatly and tucking it away in your drawers 
68. Falling asleep the moment your head hits the pillow
69. Tasting just a bit (or a lot!) of cookie dough or cake batter 
70. Having someone confide in you with a very important secret
71. Picking up the phone and hearing the sound of a close friend's voice
72. Waking up super early and catching an hour or two of music videos on TV
73. Sharing a delicious dessert with someone you love
74. Doing a favor for someone and expecting absolutely nothing in return
75. Cleaning up and getting rid of things you no longer need
76. Feeling extremely prepared for a difficult or nerve-wracking situation
77. Realizing your favorite band is coming to your town soon
78. Cracking open a notebook and making a list (perhaps of awesome things!)
79. Remembering things you believed in as a child (Santa, fairies...)
80. Driving with the sunroof open or the top down on a warm day
81. Slipping into a comfy pair of sweatpants after a very long day at work
82. Crossing of items on your to-do list and feeling really productive
83. Seeing a play or musical that moves and inspires you 
84. Choosing to commit a selfless act when it would be easier not to
85. Listening to someone talk about a topic s/he is really passionate about
86. Receiving an unexpected smile from a stranger
87. Looking at your savings account rise when you're trying to save money
88. Doodling on notebooks, pads, or any paper you can get your hands on
89. Waking up naturally without an alarm on a Saturday morning
90. Flipping through a favorite magazine after it has just arrived in the mail
91. Making up silly abbreviations or code names with close friends and family
92. Watching a terrible made-for-TV movie and secretly loving it
93. Looking up something instantaneously online (god, I love the internet!)
94. Being treated with the respect and consideration you deserve
95. Seeing a patch of blue sky and knowing the sun will come out
96. Meeting someone new who you really connect with right away
97. Staying in PJs for an entire day when the weather is really terrible outside
98. Listening to your latest favorite song on repeat for days
99. Watching dandelion seeds float away as you make a wish
100. Resolving an argument with a loving act like a hug
101. Pulling on clothing in a dressing room and realizing it fits perfectly
102. Watching TV shows you know you're way too old for 
103. Being chauffeured in a limo (why doesn't this happen to me more often?)
104. Getting a package in the mail that you've been expecting
105. Waking up to realize a really bad dream was just than your imagination
106. Talking for hours and never running out of things to say to each other
107. Smelling a new season -- spring, summer, fall, and winter -- in the air
108. Holding someone's hand and feeling the love in his/her fingertips on yours
109. Seeing a dog run or wag its tail while it's sleeping
110. Taking a day off of work to relax and do absolutely nothing
111. Doing something you love (for me: writing) and feeling happy doing it
112. Letting sand run through your fingers while at the beach
113. Falling in love over and over again every time you look at that someone
114. Trying something new and doing it surprisingly well
115. Telling someone how beautiful/handsome you think s/he is
116. Realizing that, after a long time without it, you have found your muchness
117. Creating a list of awesome things to remind you how lucky you are 

 

When you start to think about it, life is pretty darn awesome. Before I started writing all of these things down, I wasn't in the best mood. I was tired, having woken inexplicably at 3am and been unable to fall back to sleep. I wasn't feeling well. I wasn't thrilled it was Sunday, which meant tomorrow would be the beginning of a busy work-filled week. But after writing all of these things down, I feel much differently now. I feel grateful. I feel happy. I feel like my life is filled with so many awesome things. And I bet yours is too...

Share some of your awesome things in the comments section,
(and please leave your email address)
and you'll be entered to win your very own copy of
The Book of (Even More) Awesome Things!

A name will be drawn at random on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
and announced on Thursday, May 26, 2011. 

Comments

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

I would have to say that this is totally awesome! I will have to check out this book. That sounds like it would be good to have around.

I have recently experienced some unexpected good fortune in that the charms and pendants that I make, that were inspired after reading the book Four Word Self Help by Patti Digh, are really being embraced the world over. I just sent a package to Sweden, and tomorrow is my first package to Finland. I think that Google Translate is simply awesome, because I can type a short message in the language of my client!

Enjoy the day!
Erin

[Meghan]

1. Moving on to something new & exciting.
2. A long-awaited reward for achievement.
3. The sound of rain falling.
4. A gratifying high-five.
5. Decorating my cap for Graduation.
6. Crossing things off of my to-do list.
7. Watching positive things happen to those around me.
8. A fresh passport.
9. Fresh sheets at bed time.

[M.]

I always find such uplifting books to read here! I have the hardest time being positive, but taking time to write down the little joys in life are key.

Some awesome things I've had so far this week:
1) The feel of a new journal with a flap for the pages (I love those things!)
2) Eating a fresh orange
3) Winning a friendly bet
4) Signing up for something you want (refresher swimming lessons here I come!)

Best to all! May each day be brimming with Awesome Things,
M.
hushsweetsummer@yahoo.com

[laurie]

Laurie zerumsky@gmail.com
I decided to go for 27...which in my age :)

1) Being proud of myself
2) hugs from my Dad
3) the smell of sun tan lotion
4) random emails from my best friend in Europe
5) the way my nephews smile at me
6) 3 green lights in a row
7)decorating for any holiday
8) Realizing how much you are loved
9) Cross something off a to do list
10) Hearing a song you love on the radio that you havent heard in a long time
11) Paul McCartney's smile
12) The relationship I have with my sister
13) (not brown nosing) coming across blogs like this and being completely inspired to be more POSITIVE.
14) The colors Blue + Gold. My high school colors.
15) riding in a limo
16) Swimming with my nephew Zane
17) Falling in love
18) writing my name in the sand
19) Inspiring Women
20) Laughing with my family
21) conanobrien
22) Watching my twin nephews interact
23) seeing some do a good deed
24) tattoos
25) Herr's sour cream and onion chips
26) receiving letters via snail mail
27) manicures

[ellie]

Love this! And their blog is great...

Awesome stuff:

- long hot showers after a long day
- splashing in puddles
- eating yogurt/cereal/fruit mixes out of wine glasses
- putting on pyjamas as soon as they come out the dryer after being washed
- the smell of freshly cut grass

[Stephanie]

Some of my awesome things:

Hearing my kids laugh huge belly laughs.
Spending time outdoors with my camera and sketchbook.
New paint.
Hearing "I love you."
Snuggling up with my family.
My first cup of coffee in the morning.

Wow. I can write a whole lot more. Thanks for the prompt. It's a nice reminder of the awesome things in my life. I may have to continue this list on my own.

[positively present]

Erin - The book (and the site) is definitely awesome. Check 'em out if you can! Sounds like you've had some awesomeness happening to you lately. I've never tried Google Translate, but it sounds like a great way to communicate with people all over the world.

Meghan - Great list! I'm also a big fan of crossing things off of my to-do list. So satisfying!

M. - You listed some awesome things! I love a new journal. Such a great feeling to start with a blank slate. Thanks for sharing these!

Laurie - 27 is a great number (and my age as well!) and you definitely came up with 27 awesome things. I particularly like three green lights in a row. Very awesome!

Ellie - I LOVE putting on clothes right when they've just come out of the dryer. It's such an awesome feeling. Thanks for sharing some awesome stuff!

[positively present]

Stephanie - Your list of awesome things put a smile on my face. It's great that this inspired you to think of lots and lots of awesome things. Good luck with your list!

[Allissa]

1.) Waking up smiling and realizing how comfortable you were as you slept. Like your bed has been hugging you. You're not hot, or cold, or contorted in any way. In that moment you are content, so comfortable and cozy in fact, you decide to sleep more.

2.) The great feeling you get when you look back at a child in your car, and he smiles back with a simple grin and squinty eyes from the wind and sun.

3.) Surprise birthday vacations to New York City.

4.) Hot, hot shower after a cold winter day, whether it is needed or not.

I didn't realize adding a comment would make me think of all the simple, awesome things I love about my life, so thank you :) (don't worry, these four aren't the only ones). Thank you for the contest, and I really love your site, it's been very inspiring to me. Looking forward to many more posts.

[Thea]

- When one of your favorite blogs recommend another of your favorite blogs!!
- When a song you used to love, but have forgotten, pops up totally unexpectedly somewhere! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a28s_wyqkyc - Very positively present'ish btw)!

AWESOME!

[positively present]

Alissa - Great list! I especially like the first one. We often take for granted how awesome a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed is. I'm glad you were inspired by this post and that you enjoy reading Positively Present. It inspires me to know I'm inspiring other people, so thank you for letting me know that you enjoy it!

Thea - Ooh, that IS an awesome one! I'm so glad to here Positively Present is one of your favs. I also love the song "Wonderful." The first time I heard it, I felt instantly inspired. Thanks for reminding me of it. Awesome!

[Cath]

. Passing all the exams and be carefree for a while
. Wander in any city (even if I know it)

[Rosalina]

These are some of my favorite awesome things:
-Feeling the ends of your hair when you have just cut it.
-Remembering something that happened before and laughing out loud when you´re by yourself.
-Hitting ENTER really hard.
-Learning new words and feeling super smart.
-Watching a movie you used to love when you were a kid and realizing you still love it.
-Getting a pleasant and unexpected call.
-Realizing someone is totally into you.

:)

[Heloisa Coltro]

Dani, your blog really makes me so happy ;)!
Cheers from Brazil,
Helo

[Natalie]

Just a few;

1. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
2. Hearing "I love you mommy" from my 2 year old son...spontaneously
3. Snow days when work is cancelled
4. When you're buying something anyway and you get to the cash and it's on sale
5. Long weekends

I could go on! This is a great exercise in personal reflection. Looking forward to reading posts from others.

~Nat

[positively present]

Cath - Those are great awesome things! Thanks for sharing!

Rosalina - I love watching a movie I watched as a kid and still loving it. That's a great one!

Heloisa - I'm so happy that Positively Present makes you happy! Cheers!!

Nat - Oooh, chocolate chip cookies are a favorite of mine, as are snow days and long weekends. Great additions to the awesome things list!

[Tricia]

LIFE!!!

[Cara]

Okay - I have a hard time with this. I've been more cynical than grateful in my life. So I cannot, right now, come up with 117 things, or 100 things, or even 10 things. I can give you TWO, though, that are at the forefront of my current experience:
1) The fragrance of the south in the springtime - honeysuckle is EVERYWHERE!
2) My neighbor's horse. I don't currently have a dog, but I can go back and visit him (as long as I bring some treats), and he will nuzzle me like a big, dangerously powerful, loving dog.

[Sue and Danny]

Some of my awesomes are:
a. Hearing my son talk (especially when he is in speech therapy) - his voice is that of an angel (he is 17 and started making word noises at the age of 13). The first time he called me MOM.... AWESOME!
b. When you teach a student something and you look in their eyes and can actually see that light bulb go off - that look of understanding.... It is hard to describe in words... AWESOME!
c. Waking up from a surgery and the moment that the nurse tells you "it is over - you did great! .... AWESOME!
d. Sitting down for the first time on a busy day to take a hot sip of fresh coffee... wowsa... AWESOME!
e. Looking at the first crocus bloom peeking out of some snow and grass after a looonnnngggg winter! Oh So AWESOME!!!!!
and last:
f. still sitting down every night to write 5 things I am thankful for... which helps me to be positive through 3 kids with autism, having cancer and a recent death of my baby brother.... It is all how I look at things...
not AWESOME for me - but AWESOME that I read that book Simple Abundance years ago and it taught me to do this... so I appreciate every day that I am here on this earth!
Thank you for this opportunity to share my Awesomisms....
dannylions@comcast.net

[Dana]

Here are 10 things I've noticed recently:

1 - forgetting a holiday is coming up, and then getting excited for it
2 - the moment before it rains really hard when you can see the dark sky AND the light sky behind it.
3 - the cinnamon milk after eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch
4 - cute tiny houses
5 - when a friend unexpectedly gives you a hard to find gift they know you've been looking for
6 - realizing the door is open when you think your keys are locked in the car
7 - vanilla bean ice cream with blueberries, raspberries, and baked apples
8 - homemade crafts
9 - the tired feeling you get after spending all day in the sun at the beach
10 - the trackpad on my Mac

[positively present]

Tricia - Great one! Life is pretty awesome!

Cara - I've spent a lot of my life being incredibly cynical so I know where you're coming from. It can be hard, when looking at the world through a cynical lens, to find anything that's really awesome. However, you've listed two really great ones. Honeysuckle is amazing (I just spotted some the other day!) and I used to ride horses so I always have a soft spot in my heart for them. Those are two very awesome things!

Sue and Danny - Those things are all SO awesome! Thank you for sharing your list. It's amazing to me that, despite the fact that some could see the negative in things like surgery, you've chosen to focus on the positive aspects. Very inspiring!

Dana - Wow! Those are all really great things. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite so I was particularly drawn to that one. I also just realized, after reading this, that I have a long weekend coming up due to a holiday. AWESOME!

[Marcia]

Awesome:
Having your Grand child squeal your name with delight

Celebrate each Friday with a "Friday Dance"

A hot cup of coffee when you're feeling chilly

Friends who laugh with you - sometimes at you - and allow you to return the favor

[Karen G]

Right now I can only think of one awesome thing....reading this list & realizing that my life IS awesome & how thankful I am right now, here......

[Mary]

Your blog is powerfully wonderful and wonderfully powerful.

Awesome things of right now:
*rain
*my sleepy dog
*a little spontaneous kiss from my daughter as I helped her zip her sweater
*swinging
*hot beverages
*having dental insurance
*a good book
*the smell of firewood
*Fridays
*the month of May
*toast and jam
*the Sunday paper that lasts me all week
*reading my old childhood favorites on my daughter's floor as she listens in rapt attention
*writers who remind me to make lists like this

Thank you.

[positively present]

Marcia - A Friday Dance is definitely awesome! It's always so fun to celebrate the start of the weekend. Friends and laughter are two awesome things I'm also really grateful for!

Karen - I'm so glad this list inspired you to think about how awesome life is. The more you think about it, the more you realize how many awesome things there are in the world!

Mary - Thanks so much for the compliment on the blog. Awesome! Also, thanks for sharing this great list of awesome things. A sleepy dog is one of my favorites. So adorable -- and awesome!

[Ashley]

Ahh, I love making lists! Especially awesome ones :P I'm going to list 24 because that is my favorite/lucky number :)

1. Feeling the loving embrace of a child and knowing that they love and trust you to the fullest.

2. Trying a new food that happens to be delicious AND healthy.

3. That burn after a great workout that really pushed you.

4. The burst of fresh air stepping out of the gym on a cold winter night.

5. Yoga.

6. Making lists.

7. Buying new journals and pretty pens to trade with your accountability partner :)

8. The last couple days leading up to a loved one coming home from war {GO DADDY!} & the pretty camouflage heart-shaped cookies the nice ladies make for homecoming.

9. Trying a great new flavor of creamer.

1O. Performing on stage and really doing your best.

11. Slow dances. And kisses at the end of the song.

12. Adventures of any kind.

13. Bonfires.

14. Birthdays. Mine is Tuesday, which happens to be the 24th :D

15. Alice in Wonderland.

16. Finding a great new dress for cheap.

17. Getting told you look pretty.

18. The feeling after finally finishing an essay/report.

19. Knowing someone has your back.

20. Seeing your prayers answered right before your eyes.

21. A super powerful worship service when you can just FEEL God's presence.

22. Plays.

23. Randomly leaving people little gifts.

24. That feeling right before sleep takes over.

AWESOME! :)

[Dariana]

This post has been so inspiring for me! Thank you!

• When my cat wants me to touch her belly
• Watching everything bloom in spring
• Cooking fresh and healthy food
• A nice mac computer
• Living in a country where mail service works
• an unexpected hug
• tea lattes
• the moment when I go to bed an get to my book
• A very passionate kiss
• stomach butterflies
• Falling in love
• sitting outside and talking
• sacred commerce
• being in service
• traveling
• taking a class
• inspiring women
• having tons ans tons of energy
OMG I can go for ever!
darianacruz@gmail.com
I can go for ever!1

[Carol Bushong]

Seeing a rainbow
Coming home
The beautiful colors and smells of fall in New England
Hearing my dog racing to greet me
Cinnamon scones
Reading people's awesome things and remembering I love those things too

[positively present]

Ashley - That is quite an awesome list! I love it! You've thought of so many awesome things to be grateful for in life. I particularly liked the one about the few days leading up to someone coming home from war. I've never experienced anything like that, but I imagine it must be an amazingly awesome feeling. Thanks for sharing your list!

Dariana - You're welcome! I'm so happy you feel inspired -- and also so happy that you shared your awesome list of awesome things with us. I'm also a big fan of a Mac computer and inspiring women (and a lot of other things on your list as well!)

Carol - Just two days ago I saw a rainbow and it was amazing! I spotted it from my apartment balcony and then ran outside to see it because I was so excited. Such an awesome thing! Thanks for sharing your list!

[nothingprofound]

Waking up in the morning...and everything that follows.

[positively present]

NothingProfound - That's a great one! Just the start of a new day is something incredibly awesome!

[Dawn]

My kids laughing
When they share a part of themselves
The unexpected hug
Being told "It's official, you're my favorite person to work with"
Knowing I'm appreciated
Allowing myself the space I need to grow

I think I could maybe could keep going...but I wanted to share with you...
I like palm trees too!

[positively present]

Dawn - That's a great list of awesome things! I also am a big fan of palm trees! :) Thanks for sharing your list here.

[Maria Trezza]

I LOVE this blog! Thanks Dani. Maria from Solana Beach CA

1) Driving in the car and singing songs on the radio.
2) Baking treats for family and friends and seeing how happy they are.
3)My Zumba class

[positively present]

Maria - Thank you for reading! I appreciate it! I'm glad you were able to share some awesome things here. Love them!

[Priya Mani]

An unexpected spell of rain

Watching the passing panorama, sitting by the window on a train

The fragrance of rain-kissed earth

Catching up with an old friend, and sharing precious moments of rambunctious mirth

A hot cup of steamy, ginger tea on a winter afternoon

The colourful sights at a beach - vendors of trinkets, and eats, and balloons

A lovely day out at a favourite bookstore

Answering the call bell to find a much-loved one waiting at the door

Serene moments with nature, especially sunset

A blessed, childlike sleep, with every care to forget...

[positively present]

Priya - What a great list! So many awesome thing! I particularly like the colorful sights at the beach. Just thinking about that put a smile on my face!

[Amy Elliott]

the gentle rise and fall of my sleeping baby's chest

[positively present]

Amy - Thanks for sharing that awesome thing! I don't have a baby, but I would imagine that watching your sleeping baby would be pretty awesome.

[Apockylypse]

Just reading your list made my day start to get better. I can't wait to work on a list of my own, maybe write one thing a day & celebrate that thing for the day.

I can't agree more with the wagging tails & running while a pet sleeps. It doesn't matter how horrible a day has felt to me, when I see that everything is so much better. Pets have an amazing thing about them that they can do just about anything to brighten your day.

[positively present]

Apocklypse - I'm glad this list helped your day get off to a better start! I'm so glad you liked the pet ones in particular. My dog is one of the greatest sources of joy in my life. She makes every day so much better!