A list of 101 things that I couldn't live without.

4:13 AM

I tend to get caught up in all of the stress and worry that life brings. It's hard not to, especially when I've been thrown into the "real world" with taxes and a job and adult responsibilities. But as I've gotten older and wiser, I've realized that my outlook on life has a profound impact on my general happiness. When I'm being a pessimist and only focusing on the negative things that are happening to me- the trials, the struggles, and the burdens- I get easily discouraged, moody, and selfish. But when I turn around and consciously try to remember all of the wonderful people and blessings in my life, I feel a million times better: I have more energy, I'm happier, I work harder in school and at my job, and I'm more willing to serve those around me.

One of the most important lessons that I've recently learned is that it's up to us to make the most out of each and every day. We need to realize that, as humans, we're strong enough to handle whatever curve ball life throws at us, just as long as we've nurtured and developed a healthy, positive outlook on life. So I think that it's important that we take time out of our busy schedules to develop an attitude of gratitude. We need to slow down and remember all of the things that we've already been given before we go racing around asking for more. If we're patient with ourselves, we'll soon realize that we have more than we could ever wish for and more than any of us will ever deserve.

So I've taken a piece of my own advice and came up with a list of 101 things that I couldn't live without. It's not a super serious or thought-provoking list. It's just a bunch of small things that I'm grateful for. Things that I normally don't think about and things that I take for granted. Things that make me happy, things that make me smile, and things that make me grateful for the life that I've been given.

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things actually are."

Elephants: Elephants are both my favorite animal and the main reason that I get out of bed each morning.
Hair ties
Taylor Swift
My pillow: I let it see the parts of me that weren't all that pretty and with every touch it fixed them.
Snickers
Calculators: How else would I be able to know what twelve times anything is because who actually knows the twelve times tables? NOT ME AND I'M A MATH MAJOR SO BYE.
Fuzzy socks
BYU brownies
Disney
Twitter: Follow me! @emmalynn22
Miranda Sings: Haters back off, just saying.
Batman
The answers to the odd-numbered problems in the back of my math textbook
Sunny-D
iPhone cases
Frosting
Dance Moms
Brazil
Skype
Bubble Trouble: The best online game you will ever play.
Scripture mastery
Texting
Alarm clocks
Chapstick
Sponge-Bob Macaroni and Cheese: It's the best kind. And according to my dad it soaks up the cheese better. It's definitely a winner.
BBQ sauce
Ice cream
Sweatshirts
Bonfires
Target
Chocolate milk
Loofahs
Ice cubes
Sunglasses
The Lizzie McGuire Movie: This is what dreams are made of.
Google
Auto-correct
Sharpies
High heels
Netflix
Chocolate chip cookies
Libraries
Hot men
Veggie trays: Cucumbers and yellow bell peppers are my favorites.
Soft pretzels
Slippers
Skinny jeans
Chick flicks: How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Proposal, You've Got Mail, Monster in Law
Microwave popcorn
Nail polish
Cheddar and sour cream chips: But really.
Cardigans
Mechanical pencils
Pianos
Vampire Diaries
"Just Give Me a Reason" by P!nk
Mascara
Thunder storms
Cat videos on YouTube
Pinterest: Without it I would have no way of releasing all of my pent up wedding planning energy/angst/jealousy of everyone who is actually engaged and has an excuse to plan a real wedding.
Vocal Point
Mr. Schembri
Oreos
Arthur: A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K.
Curling irons
iMessage
Laundry detergent
Bookmarks
The NHS Drama Club: HOOT. HOOO-OOOT. MINE TODAY. HOOT.
Cuddling
Snapchat
Hot chocolate
Summer nights
Indiana Jones
Christmas lights
Hamburgers
The beautiful first snowfall of the season
Hand-written letters
My church
Fortune cookies
Cute, flirty texts
Sushi
The smell of a new car
Scooters
Bubble wrap
Friendship rings: "Friends are the family you choose for yourself."
Chopin
Smiley faces
Pizza
Dresses
Monopoly
Rockband
Band Aids
The Beatles
Cafe Rio
Root beer floats
Happy Meals
Swimming pools
Spiral bound notebooks
BYU
My family

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
          
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
          
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
          
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. …

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
          
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
          
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
          
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.