I have a little list. It's a list of things I know will make me happy. Sometimes it's a dish, a drink, a friend, a place or a workout - whatever it might be, when I'm having a rough day I go through my list of things that can help turn it around.

I saw this list and considered for a moment, how many of those things are actually good for me? How many of the things on my list are productive? Do those things move me forward, or simply distract me? I think there's a time and place for both - forward motion/growth and distractions. Not every sad, or simply down, moment calls for a super serious tone or response, obviously.

No matter what's on my list, or yours, I am thinking about how to better nurture myself through difficult moments. I'm big on doling out big doses of tough love to myself, so I forget to be a little more tender or thoughtful at times. Being happy isn't a science, it's an art. And for each of us the precise combination of things is different, and it changes...sometimes frequently even.

Do the 12 things above resonate with you? I'd, predictably, like to add: #13 Eat & Drink Well.

Photo credit: Tribute To Stephen Covey.