Cultivating happiness

Yesterday I stopped by Staples to get some office supplies and I happened upon a little book entitled Unclutter Your Mind: 500 Ways to Focus on What's Important by Donna Smallin. Here's a sample that I really like from the chapter entitled "Choose Authenticity":

Make a list of things that make you happy. Write them as they occur to you or as you notice your enjoyment in an activity. Challenge yourself to come up with at least 100 ideas. Then resolve to do at least three of those things each day for the next three weeks.

I think that's a very good idea --- to make such a list. Most of us would need to get creative in order to come up with 100 things and that's all to the good. I imagine we'd think of things that we normally wouldn't consider. With the list in hand, it will be easier not to neglect those activities that promote happiness.