Joyology in Winter

Image via WikipediaAdmit it. You're dragging. Blame winter. Blame the weather. Blame February's insistence on pink. Blame what you will, but accusations won't pay for lunch. Only you can find your mojo. Only you can find your happy-go-lucky Dancing Queen.

Here's what you must do:

1. Get out of the house. I know. It's hard. It's so nice and warm in there and now that you can instantly stream Netflix through your Wii there is always something good to watch. But research proves that the more isolated you are the more likely you'll keel over during American Idol. So GET OUT.

2. Go straight to your friend's house. (You know who I'm talking about.) Bring her pie.

3. Say, "I've been thinking about you, and I just wanted to bring you this pie. Pie is the new cupcake, you know. It was in the New York Times." She will say, "I love pie. Come in. Have a piece." She will offer you wine. Take it. Research also shows that a glass of wine is good for your heart, but a glass of wine with a friend is even better. While you eat pie and drink wine, she may try and tell you about her tragic friend who is--as you speak--enduring all manner of bad luck (ill health, divorce, difficult children, blah, blah, blah).

4. Gently change the subject because listening to people drone on about the difficulties faced by people you don't even know will kill you faster than a hermit-like existence. Instead, talk about your dogs. Her poodle is so darn smart! And your mixed-breed is so cute! Also, talk about books. Currently, I am reading This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson. She is so smart it kills me.

5. Keep your visit short. Unexpected guests are a gift best enjoyed in small dosages.

6. Go home and feel good! You made some scientist, somewhere, proud.

(P.S.: If you didn't have a chance to read it, my short story "Creation" is now included in a free e-book of short stories from Chamber Four: The Literary Magazine. Download it here. Enjoy! It just might be the new pie.)