My Favorite Things, January 2020

At the end of each month, I’ve found it helpful to journal the favorite things I’ve discovered or experienced. Because January can be a tough time with short days and long nights, it’s a cheery chore to document the good moments. 

Here is my list for January:

1. Book of Mormon Study Journal. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and this year I’m reading the Book of Mormon. The best thing ever is that I bought a version of the book that has journal notes on the side of each page. With all of this space, I’m able to take notes, journal my impressions, ask questions and cite additional resources. Each morning, I have a big grin on my face as I use my favorite pen and highlighter to search deeper into this precious book. As a bonus, it’s my favorite color of sky blue. (If only all good books would use this format!)

My favorite things…big margins for writing

 2. Monet. Last fall I read about a special exhibit of Monet paintings at the Museum of Art in Denver. We snatched up tickets and were able to attend the sold-out event. Over 120 of Monet’s paintings were displayed in a remarkable format that demonstrated Monet’s passion to capture the light and color of nature. Being able to stand two feet away and see the actual brush strokes and the mixture of colors of my beloved paintings took my breath away. 

 3.  Andy Rooney on Happiness. It’s so easy to imagine that everyone else is living a life of 24/7 wonderful moments. Andy Rooney put this in perspective with his wise words:

 For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.  

4.  Harry Bosch. I reread all of the Harry Bosch detective series in January which was like visiting an old friend all month. Witten by Michael Connelly, Harry is a LA detective who relentlessly seeks justice. He has a strict code of ethics that he lives by regardless of the circumstances. Even in fiction, I am drawn to characters who exemplify their values in their words and actions. This was a good balance to the painful discussions televised this month.

5. Online Courses & Podcasts. I’m just catching up to the world of online courses and podcasts and what a world it is! There isn’t a topic that can’t be studied daily on your own time and in your pajamas. My most recent subscription is a course called The Science of Well-Being. It’s one of the most popular courses offered at Yale and is free through Coursera. I’ll let you know more as I go through the course.

6. My bird feeder. The bird feeder outside my kitchen window is next to a tree full of natural perches for hungry little birds. Their presence delights me and reminds me that there is life amidst the snow-covered earth and under the gray skies.

 What were your favorite things in January?