Excerpt from “The Sidetracked Sister’s Happiness File.”
From Pam: In our first book we worked out a weekly plan. Each day was devoted to a certain kind of activity. Included was a “free” day in which we could do whatever we wanted to do. But we’ve since realized that to tell a basically disorganized person just to do whatever she wants is meaningless.
When we developed the Happiness File we made a list of all the things we loved to do, the simple things that made us happy. We want you to make your own list of “love to do” things. It is the same as the list of things you made for your spouse in the February chapter, only this is a list of your loves. Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t take the time to do the things we love to do. It helps greatly to make a list. Decide how often you would like to do each thing and incorporate this frequency factor into your card file so that you can follow through.
Start thinking and feeling free right now. I loved the definitions for freedom in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Some of those that popped out at me in the three inches of description were: independence; relieved from something unpleasant or burdensome; not bound, confined, or detained; having no restrictions; not taken up with commitments; not hampered, fastened, or held. I 
felt free just reading about it.
Enjoy this lovely month and use it to break free so that all through the coming year you can experience greater happiness in everything you do.
What I Love
Sitting in the sun
The smell of freshly cut grass
The sound of those sprinklers that jerk around
Puppies
Baby anythings
75˚ weather
Long walks in the country
Window-shopping
Christmas music
Cooking
A fresh hot cup of coffee in the morning
A nap at 2:30
Eating in a restaurant
Singing in a group and harmonizing
Playing the piano
Playing the guitar
Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”
The ballet
Reading a good novel
A crackling fire
Baked potatoes
Dancing
Going barefoot
Parties
Having a barbecue
(I wrote this list in the 1980s and here it is 2018 and every one of those items on the list still thrills me, only I have more to add, because I’ve lived 30 plus years to have more to love!)
Our grandchildren
Our adult children and their spouses
Our gardens
Our home
My husband
My body
Being with happy people and having fun conversations
Meditating
Watching my life unfold
Our view from every window in our home
I could actually go on for pages! This life we've been given is a miracle and the more we can focus on the blessings in it, the happier we'll be. Let the 3x5 card file system help you to have a happier 2018.
The Sidetracked Sister's Happiness File is available as an audio book, Kindle, or e-book. Just click on the cover to order. Also I have a few hardback books that are first edition and sell for $56. The only way to purchase the hardback book is to send a check made out to Pam Young to 616 Sommerset Road, Woodland, WA 98674 and I'll send you one while they last.