Mark Trost's open call for the ten best things on earth seems like a great opportunity to think pleasant thoughts.  It's tough to narrow it down to a top ten and I'm not putting them in any particular order here.   I can't honestly say that these are definitive but here goes:

1.  Laughter

Scientists tell us we live a lot longer if we laugh every day.  I know that life is a lot more enjoyable when there is laughter.  To carry this even further, I read somewhere that when you are smiling, your brain thinks you are happy and starts making "happy hormones."  The other day I was out running on my own, up hill, very slowly, feeling like crap, and I decided to try to fool my brain into producing some of those happy chemicals by smiling.  Did it work?  No but I frightened a few passers-by. One lady nearly jumped in a ditch to put some distance between us. 

2. Love

 Love, all kinds, not just romantic.  Should include love for family, friends, and chocolate.

3. Children

Cliche maybe but true.  Children cut to the chase  without the bullshit.  We adults need them to call us back from the brink of being set in our ways, boring, selfish jerks.  Includes your own, other people's, and if we're lucky, some recollection of our childish selves.

4. A good book

Stimulates the brain, takes you away, informs you.  I suppose it could be an electronic book in a pinch.

5. Good Wine

Sometimes even average wine

6. Good Gin

See number five.

7. Travel

The world is a big place.   It's nice to think you can always expand your horizons and see something you've never seen before.  It's the promise of possibilities.

8. Kindness

Nothing like the warm glow generated by an act of kindness, whether you are the recipient or the perpetrator.  It's nice to see that the human race can be a force for good. 

9. Music

I think I will cheat and include dancing because our bodies naturally move when we hear music anyway.  As long as I'm cheating, I might stretch it really far and add in "fun."

10. Crisp, fresh sheets

I'm a simple creature and I like my comforts.