Not a week goes by where someone doesn't comment on why and how I smile too much. After a week of being broke, getting screamed at by a boss who if he is not Satan, has very close ties to the under world, and in general taking a life beat down, somehow, I seem to emerge daily with a smile. I could go into the trials, tribulations, and the horrific situations that have brought me to this point but, lets face it, we all go through things other people don't and won't. We all deal with things that are quite possibly unique in our own spiritual journey but more than likely, someone out there has known the same pain and suffering you and I have, and to me that makes it a little easier. 

     Anyway, here are ten things I do when I get a case of the blues. 

1) Be Content and count your blessings. 

     Sounds cliche but it works. Blessing #1, I have food for the day. Blessing #2, if I didn't have food for the day, I could go get a pork sandwich at am/pm for $1.50. Blessing #3, if that didn't work, repeat blessing #2 until happy or full, whichever comes first. 

2) Read a good book.

      C.S. Lewis said "We read to know we are not alone." If you have been stuck in an office all day or are sick of looking a t the same 4 walls of your apartment, get out, and READ! Most bookstores have couches, benches, and even floors so relax, have a cup of coffee or tea and read your favorite authors new best seller. It's FREE and you might meet someone with the same interests and if everything goes well, you might get to write your own book about the experience, wink, wink. 

3) Do something nice for someone else. 

     This gets your mind off of yourself and onto others right away. Feeding the homeless, making a charitable donation, making someone dinner unexpected. Surprising people with a small token of your appreciation for them puts both the giver and receiver in a good mood. If that doesn't work, toilet paper some ones house. I recommend your youth minister, he knew what he was getting into when he took the job. If you are to old and don't have a youth minister, your regular minister will have to do. If he is any good at what he does he will have to forgive you, that is, if you get caught. 

4) Ride Splash Mountain.

     Nothing cures the blues for me than taking that death defying plunge while humming that ancient hymn "pretty good sure as your born" down a one hundred feet drop. OK, this one isn't fair unless you live in southern California or Florida, I know. But, Splash mountain is a metaphor for finding your laughing place. You could splash in the tub, run through the sprinkler, do the dishes and spray yourself in the face, just do it with a song in your heart. 

5) Pray. 

     Meditate, have a moment of silence, talk to your higher power, whatever you call it, prayer can lift your mood, especially if you are praying for someone else. If you are an atheist or agnostic, pray anyway. Why not? What could it hurt? Maybe your wrong? 

     I would equate prayer to thinking positive. All things work together for good. 

6) Get a haircut. 

     This one may sound weird but when so many things are out of your control, you need to do something in your control. Changing your appearance gives you a little bit of leverage, besides a new hairstyle or cut can make you feel a little more confident, a little more refreshed, and a little more SEXY! 

7) Clean your room. 

     This is how I know I am really depressed, when i clean my room. It is usually messy, and that is probably a whole other top 10 list but, when I am at the bottom, I clean my room, wash my car, vacuum, etc... It makes me feel like I worked extra hard, and it feels good to wake up in a clean bedroom. 

8) Try something new. 

     Did you know right now, the city you live in has classes for free or next to nothing. Salsa, mambo, basket weaving, I even tried fencing (sword fighting) for 10 weeks for close to nothing. There are also parks and recreation programs in every town across the country that have baseball, softball, bowling, volleyball leagues for very small next to nothing fees. Get some good exercise and make new friends. 

9) Talk to a friend and see how they are doing. 

     I like to talk to my best friend weekly. He is on the East coast, and I try to make it a point to call him and see how his family is doing. Having a longtime connection with people has been a very healthy and therapeutic outlet for me. Reminiscing about good times past always helps to remind me that good things are around the corner. 

10) Workout. 

     When you hit the treadmill, take a yoga class, or work on your sixpack, exercise, or so I am told, puts you in a good mood. Something about endorphins and scientific things I don't know anything about. All I know is, when i hit the treadmill and run for a half hour, I got the Journey on the head phones, I feel great by the end of the work out. 

    Sometimes, we need to be sad, need to mourn, need time in seclusion to pull our thoughts together. The loss of a friend or family member, a break up etc.. don't let this temporary world bring you down. There is a lot we take for granted as Americans and a lot to be thankful for. 

     What do you do?

Let me know. 

Rufus