As sad as this may sound, for many years now a good day was all about selling something.  A sale provided security for my family, myself, and my future.  As far as I was concerned, nothing else mattered!  Believe me, I was not the type to force someone to buy something, I needed to find clients who could benefit from my products.  It’s what kept me going every day.

So, now that I’m retired, just what is considered to be a good day?  I made a list of 30 things in no particular order:

  1.  I wake up
  2. My wife is next to me
  3.  I hear the dogs bark (but not too much)
  4. The cat meows for breakfast
  5. I physically get through my daily run
  6. I have a fast internet connection
  7. There’s limited spam (no spam would be asking too much!)
  8. The ATM machine is working (and there’s something to withdraw)
  9. There’s no mail from the IRS
  10. My accounts haven’t been hacked
  11. The electric bill is less than expected (or any other bill, for that matter)
  12. I’m not involved in writing someone else’s obituary
  13. The power is on and the cable works
  14. We have hot water
  15. The cars start
  16. There are no trips to the vet, doctor, or hospital
  17. My son calls and doesn’t ask for money
  18. My team wins
  19. I get to go to bed at a decent time (that’s 10 p.m. now)
  20. There’s more sun than rain or snow (tough in Portland)
  21. I’m away fulfilling my bucket list
  22. My pension and social security deposit is in the bank
  23. I don’t upset my wife (a really top priority!)
  24. I don’t have to go to work (I’m happily retired)
  25. I do a good deed for others
  26. I get to enjoy  writing something
  27. Nothing catches on fire, breaks, or is lost
  28. I win at Spider Solitaire
  29. I have a smile on my face (my nickname growing up was Smiley)
  30. My phone works (call me!)

If all of these happen, it’s an outstanding day!