Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness

by Ingrid Fetell Lee

ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES SURPRISE Plan a trip or excursion for a friend or family member without telling them the destination Throw a surprise party Go for a walk in a (safe) city without choosing a specific destination, just following what looks interesting to you Put a joyful, temporary installation up in your neighborhood without telling anyone who did it TRANSCENDENCE Walk upstairs to get an elevated view or look out the window if you’re on a high floor Take time to gaze up at the clouds or the stars Choose a window seat when flying Go hot-air ballooning, paragliding, skiing, or mountain climbing Jump on a trampoline MAGIC Look for rainbows in water glasses and puddles Catch fireflies in summer Eat wintergreen Life Savers and watch them spark in the dark Watch a magic show or learn card tricks to dazzle your friends Fly a kite or go sailing or windsurfing Make time to look at meteor showers or eclipses CELEBRATION Break open a piñata or use sparklers or firecrackers Attend a concert, do karaoke, or go out dancing Seek out opportunities to sing and dance in groups: choirs, dance lessons, dance-based workout classes Wear festive clothes while doing errands Throw a party just because RENEWAL Watch the sunrise or sunset or look at the full moon Plan a calendar of seasonal pleasures Eat at farm-to-table restaurants or join a CSA Plant a garden or visit a botanical garden Press flowers or fall leaves to put on display