Yesterday’s post was so swathed in sugar that I decided to continue to theme for as long as possible… well until I barf; or before the ‘real’ me reappears in some Exorcist-head-spinning; or Alien-erupting-from-the-stomach scene.

Hopefully you get the title and Sound of Music reference…

As I was thinking yesterday about the notion of a ‘You are fucking awesome’ post-it note stuck to my computer to cheer me up, I pondered on the other things in life which bring a smile to my face. And no… this won’t be a ‘things I am thankful for’ post where I talk about ‘how lucky I am to have caring friends and family and live in a conflict-free country’ yadda, yadda, yadda.

In fact – for a change – I’m not delving that deeply. I’m not talking about everlasting deep-seated joy.  Instead, I’m bypassing the existentialism and desire for self-actualisation and just thinking about those things that put a smile on my dial. In a manner of speaking: like each time I put on something that didn’t fit me six months ago; or when I’ve finished an exercise class and have a sense of accomplishment. And then sometimes, it’s the simple things….

Flannelette pyjamas and flannelette sheets in winter. 
There’s nothing I love better than crawling into either. Every winter I buy myself a new pair of PJs and usually I go with some age-appropriate theme… this year’s were adorned with Snoopy; but before that it was Tweety; then Eyeore; and well… you get my drift. I even (for a period of time) had a bit of a slipper thing. I had these big fluffy things that looked like I was wearing a kitten on each foot, but scared the bejesus out of actual kittens; and before that slippers in the shape of spotted cows. Yes… it’s true. My life is so pathetic that I am compelled to entertain myself with funny PJs and slippers. Tragic isn’t it? (Actually, no… only for the onlooker! To this day I can remember smiling as Whoopi Goldberg jumped about in her PJs and slippers to ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, in a fairly-ordinary comedy by the same name.)

Great jewellery. 
I’ve mentioned before that – when forced to dress in clothing akin to a Mumu – I added a bit of individuality through my jewellery. I’m not big on the ‘real deal’ and figure I don’t want to buy decent rings, bracelets etc until I can buy DECENT rings, bracelets etc… plus I do have some sort of weird ethical problem with people wearing something that could feed a small town in a third world country (unless they are also using their hard-earned cash to help feed that small town in addition to procuring their $2m engagement ring!).

Nah… I go for cheap costume stuff. (Well, not always cheap – but definitely fun and tasteful!)

I find I don a piece of jewellery as I’m heading to work each day or out and about and my mood is lifted. And it says something about who I am. Just recently, only a couple of days before my father passed, I had a job interview. I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind and feeling a bit ‘Meh!’ about the whole thing… So, as I put on my interview suit, I searched my cupboard for some jewellery to help me get through the ordeal. I’m not sure it sent the right message, but I added my current favourite necklace – Pinocchio – who never fails to cheer me up because, if I lean over and he hits the table, his moveable legs can do a little dance – entertaining me beyond belief in boring meetings!

Music. 
I know people will understand this one. I found myself in tears at the end of a Pump class recently when we cooled down to a bloody Celine Dion song which reminded me of a scene from a movie, which (in turn) reminded me of dad.

Similarly, a month or so ago I was heading into work when I suddenly ‘lost it’ (it was just a few weeks after dad passed away). As I got closer to the office I tried to pull myself out of the funk and… I put “Moves Like Jagger” on through my iPhone’s headphones and let it sear into my brain. Immediately my mood changed. I had to force myself not to wiggle about in my train seat as the music cheered my soul. Music is mightily powerful. It can do all of those things!

Obviously there are a heap of other things that cheer me up – even momentarily (red wine, caramello koalas, champagne, television, books, blogging etc). But I talk about them all of the time, so wanted to share a couple of others today.