My brain is a lying liar, but I love it anyway. My brain is a lying liar, and probably yours is, too. Living with this quixotic, unreasonable, and generally wrong-headed head can be difficult at times. Let’s try an example.

Me: What shall we do now, Brain? What would give us the greatest amount of happiness for time spent?

Brain: I know! Facebook! Sugar, salt and fat! TV programs! Fiction! ORGANIZE ALL THE THINGS! Text someone about what you just did! Post a photo somewhere of what you just ate! ORGANIZE MORE THINGS AGAIN! Read some stuff on the internet!

Wrong answer again, Brain, better luck next round. This is the problem, of course. Things that are genuinely good for us, that we feel most pleased and satisfied by after the fact are rarely the same things that appeal to us in the moment. And if you have major life goals you plan to accomplish, Your Brain is not likely to remind you of them in any given moment. But while it takes discipline to implement, it’s not insurmountably difficult to make a list of things that make for true happiness. Or the steps to accomplishing those major goals. The crux of the problem lies in devoting more of our precious time to the things that will make us truly, lastingly happy. This is my list of my things. Make yours!

Lasting Happiness List:

Walking, cooking, gardening, taking photos, writing, giving, meditating, just thinking, savoring the sunshine, blending & brewing & drinking tea, singing, taking a nap, talking with friends and family, watching fire burning–running water–leaves in the wind, harvesting produce & herbs at the CSA farm or in my garden.