Joyology 101

Ok, people, we must work very hard to find the joy today. The hounds are positively at the gates. There is not enough money, there is not enough time, and the children ar

Image by mccheek via Flickr

e ill behaved at best. And have you seen the dust bunnies? They tried to eat the dog today. We could barely corral them back under the dresser where they belong.

Still, we must be resolute. Here is what we must do: Since the sky is gray and rain is predicted, we must make a cup of tea and we must put it in a pretty cup and saucer. (No. You may not use that chipped mug with the Easter Bunny on it. Sure. It's easier to get to and it's less fragile than the china but it's ugly and tacky and today we are seeking our fricking joy so get the goddamn good cup. We deserve it.)

Next, let's enjoy our tea while wrapped inside in a big warm blanket. Let us remember those happy in utero days of yore when life was one big, cozy water bed and we could peacefully suck life straight out of our mothers' bodies. Let us not dwell on the karmic justice of having our own little vampires suck the life straight out of ours, in utero and out, for almost fifteen years now.

Instead, let us sip our tea, in the dark, and watch "Bridget Jones Diary." Let us watch our secret boyfriend nobly see the inner beauty in that alcoholic, chain-smoking, foul mouthed Renee Zellweger. Sigh. He is so good. And since it is all about the joy, let us (meaning you), refrain from all eye-rolling and smirks directed at our choice of movie and secret boyfriend. We all have our coping mechanisms, after all.

Finally, let us indulge in a little bowl of our favorite cherry chocolate chip ice cream. (The dust bunnies are advancing, but we can't hear them when the spoon clinks against the bowl. Best make it a big bowl.)