Twenty years ago, I made a list of 100 life-enriching little nuances. As I scanned the list recently, I was surprised to see how many of them still feel, well … life-enriching. Here’s the list:
1. Friendships
2. Wildlife
3. Babies
4. Favorite songs
5. People who “get” us
6. Coffee shops
7. Restaurants
8. Books
9. Laughter
10. Weddings
11. Movies
12. Road trips
13. Bike/walking trails
14. Colors
15. Pets
16. Sunglasses
17. Family meals
18. Concerts
19. Sports
20. Ice cream parlors
21. Notebooks
22. Wine
23. Photo albums
24. Deep conversations
25. Not-so-deep conversations
26. Pens
27. Bookstores
28. Parks
29. Newspapers & Magazines
30. First cars
31. The internet
32. Nicknames
33. Sleeping in
34. Smart phones
35. Hunting/Fishing
36. Candles
37. Flowers
38. Memories
39. First kisses
40. Hats
41. Instant communication
42. Movie popcorn
43. Family heirlooms
44. Time alone
45. Handwritten cards/letters
46. Home decor
47. Hard work
48. Vacation days
49. Religious ceremonies
50. Hearing "thank you"
51. Saying "thank you"
52. White noise
53. A well worn piece of furniture
54. Journals
55. Wind
56. Art museums
57. Good service
58. Smiles
59. A favorite television show
60. Family stories
61. Cologne/perfume
62. Social groups
63. Background music
64. Family traditions
65. Graduations
66. Seasons
67. Co-workers
68. Museums
69. Thunderstorms
70. Jokes
71. Routines
72. Comfortable clothing
73. Writing for the sake of it
74. Neighbors
75. Home-cooked meals
76. Dancing
77. Friendly customer service representatives
78. Helping someone
79. Receiving help
80. Weather
81. Completed goals
82. Radio
83. Teachers who inspire us
84. Maps
85. Windows
86. Fireplaces
87. Garage sales
88. Wall art
89. Online shopping
90. Rainbows
91. Calendars
92. Quotes
93. Finding a new author
94. Going-away parties
95. Hobbies
96. Dessert
97. Family videos
98. Gifts
99. School plays and concerts
100. Lakes, ponds and rivers
It’s funny to see the internet on the list since it’s such a natural part of our lives now. I first got online in 1994, but when I made this list in 2005, the internet still felt relatively new.
I have no idea why I included hats on this list. I look ridiculous in a hat. But some people can pull off the look so well. Maybe that’s what I was referring to.
Seeing cologne on the list is hilarious. You can tell that I made this list near the end of my Drakkar Noir days. Hey, I still like that stuff, though! I just haven’t worn it in decades. Or any other type of cologne.
I’m not sure why I included going-away parties on the list. Maybe it was because getting to tell someone how much he or she means to us before that person leaves felt important. That begs the question: Why do we wait?
Anyway, have you ever compiled such a list? I’d love to see it if you have. If not, it might be fun to do so.
