10 Good Things

I decided to put some positivity out into the world with a list of 10 good things in my life right now. In no particular order...

1. I pooped! (I even trusted a fart)
2. My period just ended!
3. I'm passing all of my classes!
4. I just ran two miles at a 9 minute and 40 second pace!
5. My gastroenterologist got a new assistant and she was amazingly helpful today! I wanted to hug her!
6. My specialty pharmacy (Optum Rx) is helping me communicate with my doctor and insurance to figure out if Cimzia will still be covered. It lifts a huge burden off my shoulders.
7. I feel so well that I did a happy dance this morning in front of the mirror!
8. My teeth are slowly starting to look better, so I'm smiling more freely again.
9. I'm not sick!
10. I am loved!

What Makes Me Happy

It's really not that difficult to make me happy. I get delighted by a beautiful bowel movement, which I've had plenty of in the past week. I'm thrilled to be feeling as well as I'm feeling right now. Seriously, I feel like I'm super woman! No pain, no blood, endless energy, limited anal leakage, and my mind feels unusually sharp. This in itself puts me in a fantastic mood.

Another thing that makes me happy are friendships. Recently, I've had some great conversations with my friend Gabriel about life aspirations and reality checks. My Team Challenge friend and teammate, Rita, and I find comfort in being able to share the gross details of IBD with each other. She gets it!  I love the endless moral support my friend Brittany and I share with each other.  My friend Veronica and I always believe in each other and encourage one another every week. I love the way my best friend Taylor challenges me to step outside my comfort zone. These friends are in my corner of life. Their successes and accomplishments make me happy! Plus, I love it when they're happy!

I also find pleasure in mentoring my cousins through this important time in their young lives.  The moments they see their potential bring me great joy. They have created a spark for their future now we just have to nurture it into a thriving flame. I've staked an interest in their future and I'm excited to help them become the young ladies they aspire to be.

I couldn't end this post without mentioning running. Yes, I felt well enough to start running again! If a guy made me feel like I feel when I'm running, I might consider marrying him. My love, how I've missed you and the unstoppable feeling you give me.  It's always hard getting back into shape, but oddly enough the heavy breathing is a great motivator. It's been so hot that it's like I've been swimming on dry land. I absolutely adore my running shoes on the road. Life for me is great whenever I'm logging miles. It really is my antidepressant.

Small Things and Ramblings

I love when small things make me happy. I love the way the freezer section in Target lights up as it senses me coming down the aisle. It's awesome! It's a smart way to save energy and it makes the customer feel like royalty as the shelves that house the products light up at my mere presence. It's like the power I feel with automatic doors. My existence can make doors open, turn on lights, turn on sinks, and make soap and paper towels spit out! That's mad cool in my book!  My existence can also make toilets flush, but those aren't my favorite invention because they usually try to flush before I'm finished and I hate the feeling of toilet water touching my bum.


Another small thing that brings me joy is new underwear, which I just got! Fruit of the Loom, baby! That is where my happiness is at! I also recently bought new jeans. It's probably been over 5 years since I've gotten new jeans, so I was long overdue. I hate shopping and jean shopping used to always be a chore to find jeans that actually fit well and right without having to wear a belt. It was a chore until I found Express! I'm so confident in the way Express clothes fit me that I order them online. Maybe that's not a big deal, but it seems like a big deal to me because if I have to make a return, then I'll have to hassle with going to the store. The one pair of jeans I bought was $120 and the other pair was $88!!! Thankfully, they were having a jean sale and I got a discount on these prices; plus, free shipping. Yes, it's hard for me to justify spending that much on jeans, but considering how long they last and the fact that the size 8 seems to fit me while I'm on prednisone, in a bad flare or healthy I think it's worth it! This week if I'm having a bad day, it'll make it a little more bearable if I'm wearing my new undies and new jeans.

Check out this challenge. It's called 100 Happy Days. I haven't accepted the challenge, but I've been trying to find the little things that make me happy each day since I've heard about it. It's crazy how cluttered my mind can get with negativity.
http://100happydays.com/#what