Read on Twitter
I’ve been reading about how expressing gratitude effects our happiness, and decided to keep a running thread. No rules or format; I’m just going to try and tweet things that I enjoy and make me happy in a place that I can quickly access.
-The sound of birds chirping.
It usually just fades into the background, but every once and a while I seem to focus on the sounds birds make, and it always makes me smile. (Exception: Seagulls. Not pleasant sounds)
It usually just fades into the background, but every once and a while I seem to focus on the sounds birds make, and it always makes me smile. (Exception: Seagulls. Not pleasant sounds)
-Climbing into a big, comfortable bed at the end of a long day.
-That first bite of something delicious when you are REALLY hungry.
-The fact that there are thousands of hilarious and adorable animal videos on the internet.
-Well-written articles about subjects you find interesting. (This one combines the current economic environment with Bluto from “Animal House”) https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2020/02/11/the-silent-depression-trundling-is-the-new-booming/
-I’m grateful that I don’t get embarrassed by being dumb. (Like, I just learned today that “secular” has a different meaning in economics. I always wondered why finance people were talking about non-religious trends)
-This clip. I’ve seen every episode of “Seinfeld” and have never even thought about any of this stuff before.
https://twitter.com/chanian/status/1228751230748356608?s=21 https://twitter.com/chanian/status/1228751230748356608
https://twitter.com/chanian/status/1228751230748356608?s=21 https://twitter.com/chanian/status/1228751230748356608
-Finishing a bad book. I’m a slow reader but also stubborn, so I have a hard time giving up on a book halfway through but it also takes me FOREVER to finish. Such a good feeling to finally close that POS for good.
-The ocean. Wave-watching for long enough will make you feel like you understand how the world works. (You won’t ever really understand, but feeling that way is nice every once in a while)
-Being able to laugh at things that are terrible. (Because the alternative is a much sadder life)
Case in point: laughing my ass off while reading this. https://twitter.com/theonion/status/1230212729534844928?s=21 https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/1230212729534844928
Case in point: laughing my ass off while reading this. https://twitter.com/theonion/status/1230212729534844928?s=21 https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/1230212729534844928
-The smell of rain. I’m not poetic or creative enough to describe it in words, but we all know exactly the smell I’m talking about, and there’s something peaceful and beautiful about that smell.
-This tweet.
https://twitter.com/rachael_conrad/status/1231414301149233152?s=21 https://twitter.com/Rachael_Conrad/status/1231414301149233152
https://twitter.com/rachael_conrad/status/1231414301149233152?s=21 https://twitter.com/Rachael_Conrad/status/1231414301149233152
-The life lessons taught by this dog. If you are going to make a mistake, make one because you’re being TOO aggressive. Live life at full throttle and see what happens.
https://twitter.com/kimmymonte/status/1232363360303374336?s=21 https://twitter.com/KimmyMonte/status/1232363360303374336
https://twitter.com/kimmymonte/status/1232363360303374336?s=21 https://twitter.com/KimmyMonte/status/1232363360303374336
-Trying something new. It is always slightly uncomfortable and stressful, but there is also an excitement that is built in to taking a shot at something over your head.
-Zoning out in the shower. My favorite form of meditation.
-Bright colors in nature. (Which is odd for me since I only ever want to wear blue)
-Q-tips. They feel way too good when you first put them in your ear.
-I like that I try to be both athletic and academic.
It’s fun to try to have a foot in both worlds. Also, when I read a paper about variance swaps and comprehend none of it, I can comfort myself by thinking, “Whatever, nerds. I bet none of you have ever even dunked a basketball.”
It’s fun to try to have a foot in both worlds. Also, when I read a paper about variance swaps and comprehend none of it, I can comfort myself by thinking, “Whatever, nerds. I bet none of you have ever even dunked a basketball.”
-Disgreeing with people while still liking them. I’ve been super-active on Twitter since the quarantine, and I follow a ton of accounts of people who are smart, genuine, and (in my opinion) completely wrong about a lot of stuff.
Still appreciate what they bring to the table.
Still appreciate what they bring to the table.
-Seeing something new. Kayaking around in bioluminescent water prompted so many questions and so much wonder that I couldn’t help but feel like a kid again.
https://twitter.com/ryandoherty47/status/1255536901563412480?s=21 https://twitter.com/RyanDoherty47/status/1255536901563412480
https://twitter.com/ryandoherty47/status/1255536901563412480?s=21 https://twitter.com/RyanDoherty47/status/1255536901563412480
-Angry music to workout to. I’ve never been a big music guy, and have done most of my workouts throughout my career listening to podcasts. But there’s something about firing up some angry stuff from your youth (Sevendust, Slipknot, etc.) to get you to the finish line.
-Swearing. I try not to overdo it, but nothing seems to add emphasis (or a bit of humor) like a well-placed curse word.
1/2 Today I watched a lifeguard waving in a group of kids (probably 6 of them, ages 10-13) playing in the surf. I was far enough away that I wouldn’t be able to hear what they were saying, but was anticipating tough guy posturing countered by punks rebelling against authority.
2/2 Couldn’t have been more wrong. Lifeguard was kneeling down and pointing to the water, explaining currents/riptides. And the kids were enthusiastically gesturing and asking questions before joyfully running off to a safer area to swim. Just a cool, authentic moment to witness.
-Holding your hand out of the window of a moving car on a warm day. Such a simple joy.
Catching, preparing, cooking, and eating your own fish. I’ll always prefer Taco Bell, but I think it’s worthwhile to periodically connect more with the food you eat. To show your respect and appreciation to the circle of life that we all belong to.
Using a new soap/shampoo/conditioner/deodorant. They always tend to smell nice so I try to cycle through random brands or scents just to see what comes up next.
