10 Things That Make Me Happy, Or, Saturday Morning at 10:10am. In 2010.

I have been tagged, for 10 things that make me happy, by One Fabulous Mom. She of the tummy tuck that worked, a writing career, and the newly-launched 40 Things To Do Before You Turn 40 blog. Thank you One Fabulous...

Let us consider happiness.

Not contentment. Happiness. As it turns out, I'm a natively contented person, for better or for worse. Just genetics, not praiseworthy. I don't do depression, tending on my difficult days towards anxiety. Nor rage, tending in those moments of annoyance towards snaps of irritation.

So happy, to me, is the feeling that rises unbidden in your heart. That which begins a smile. Unasked. Surprising.

Definition achieved, here is my list. For today. Tomorrow will almost certainly be different.

1. Hot water.
Hot showers, hot baths, hot dishwater on my hands. Don't know why, but it releases a noticeable burst of endorphins. Those pesky little hormones have a lot to do with the elusive bird of happiness.

2. Completion.
The satisfying stroke of a pen through an item on the to do list. Click of the customer service agent hanging up, her final words, "Yes, it's all taken care of," ringing happily in my ears.

3. Resonance.
Sitting next to someone I love, realizing in that moment we resonate. That were we to vibrate, cellos. Or trumpets, on occasion.

4. Diamonds.
Sparkle. The more the better. 1 large one, 2 medium ones, 50 small ones. Pins, necklaces, earrings, rings. I'd like nothing more than to spend the day at a diamond broker, sitting in the corner, watching. Maybe touching once or twice. Oh who am I kidding? I'd want to plunge my hand into a large bowl of them and run diamonds through my fingers. Do you think they have large bowls like this in the diamond district anywhere? That they'd be willing to let a slightly cracked middle-aged Californian indulge her fantasies?

5. Clear surfaces.
That moment when no laundry is left on the table, no dishes on the counter, no smudges on the mirror.

6. Sky.
Blue, gray, white, roiled by clouds, caught between high buildings, long and low over a freeway. Lighted. Except when I'm in an airplane. Then I pretend there's no such thing.

7. Certain foods.
Clouds of steam off the plate. The first bite, heat. Next bite, rough garlic. Third bite, ginger. Final trace of something vegetal. Or Sichuan numbing spice. Om nom nom nom.

8. Your comments.
Makes me happy to read the stories people tell of what they wore or thought or did. Questions. Questions make me really happy.

9. Waiting with anticipation in the lobby of a spa.
Who invented spas? I need to find them and thank them. Is there anything better, in the immediate sense, than knowing that someone is going to smooth lotions on you any minute now? It will smell good. It will feel good. And for the next few hours, you are on leave from any to do list.

10. Waking up in the morning.
Oh, hello! World! Thank you!

For the 11th, which is probably the 11th on an infinite list, let me add other people's writing. This morning it was ELS at Mon Avis, Mes Amis. I've mentioned her before, but let me do it again. This is only a small, small sample. Click for more.

"We went out one night onto the frozen lake, riding snowmobiles under the stars. We stopped in the middle and listened to the moaning of the ice, sitting huddled on reindeer skins, drinking hot berry juice and hoping to buggery that the damn lights would show. Did they hell. The Colonel took a spectacular tumble on the ice and snapped a thigh muscle, so we enjoyed a more earthly son et lumiere. There are now Samis in Bjorkliden who can swear like English squaddies."

Yeah. What she said. Have a wonderful weekend.