I’m a little later posting this than I had intended. It seems that time has been getting away from me lately. It has been a very busy summer and I’m looking forward to the slower pace that often comes with fall and winter. Even though I’m posting late, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been making room to practice gratitude for all of the good things in my life. While my morning journaling does contain more whining and complaining than I would like, there are many entries describing all of the good things that happened in the day, happy thought, blessings, and satisfying encounters with the people in my life. For the month of August I did many of the usual things, but found different aspects that contributed to happiness. I also found new things to explore (thank you Josh) like Zettelkasten and new practice strategies.
There is an intentionality that can often slip away and decrease the happiness and joy available to each of us every day. I’m trying to do better, not because I should, but because I do really believe that I can create my own happiness if I just pay attention.
Happy Things August 2026
Deep tissue massage
Puppy kisses
An enlightening voice lesson
Chilly morning with tea and a blanket
Finishing a composition
Learning about Zettelkasten (ZK)
Starting a slip box
Learn Faster, Performn Better by Molly Gebrian
Bright green index cards
Distributing my leadsheet to the instrumentalists
Trying out a new practice journal
Choir music catalogs
Life decisions
Closing out files
Fridays
Sleeping until 6
Successful performance review at work
Sammy – who makes my music beautiful on the page
Talking to my sons
New clients in my therapy practice
Writing my first ZK
Rearranging my office
Morning devotionals
Moving my piano music closer to my piano
Taking the first steps in starting a personal coaching business
Praising God
Tapping
Sorting harp music
Finishing flyers for the January choral workshop
My birthday and a nice dinner out
The first choir rehearsal of the season
Contemplating what I want in this phase of life
