If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly, chumps!
Just purse your lips and whistle—that’s the thing
Everybody!
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
Courtesy: Playbill
Thank goodness for the musical Spamalot, the show is hysterical and every time I think of it, I brighten up and laugh out loud!
We’ve all probably had some down days at one time or another and could use some cheering up. A recent “FOOSH” – an acronym for Fall On OutStretched Hand, which caused a fractured wrist and recent surgery has kicked me out of the pool until what I feel is Spamalot Kingdom Come. I’m quite certain that I’m fighting my way through a weird but normal (I’m told) bout of post-op depression. The pain and lack of use in my wrist is sapping my energy – mentally, emotionally and physically – but I’m not going to be whiny about it.
I’d rather be hap-hap–HAPPY!
There are many ideas out there to keep us joyful and cheered up…and I don’t mean things like CBD, THC or LSD! If you’re feeling a little down in the dumps, here are a few cheer-up remedies:
#1: Streaming or renting funny movies and/or TV shows…So much to choose from! Classic and newer TV comedies like Modern Family, Frasier (both old and new!), I Love Lucy, The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Honeymooners, Friends, Seinfeld, yada yada yada. Films like Caddyshack, Tootsie, Christmas Vacation, Slap Shot, Young Frankenstein, or older classics like Duck Soup, Some Like It Hot, Arsenic & Old Lace, and, of course, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, from which Spamalot was created. Not only do these make you laugh – you get to appreciate quality comedy writing.
Lucy & Ethel – timeless comedy and so darn funny
#2: Animals…snuggling with your Golden Retriever makes everything better, studies do show! So does watching the colorful variety of birds at our feeder. I’m seriously thinking of visiting The Rosamond Gifford Zoo to see how the animals behave in the winter, not to mention taking another look at baby elephants Yaad and Tukada, the now-famous “Miracle Twins.” Gosh, the Eletwins ARE adorable and can make even the biggest sour puss (like me) smile.
Yaad and Tukada…who are cuter than these two?
#3: Staying off Social Media. Sorry about this, but when I’m feeling down, I grow extra weary of people constantly posting about nothing relevant and/or often pretending what a great life they have. The 2-month trips abroad, a daughter’s “fairy tale” wedding that probably broke the bank, someone reliving their athletic past and showing their amazing workout from technology, and finally, posting the Wordle score. The less Facebook or Instagram you scroll through if you’re sad, the better you may feel about yourself.
Good ol’ Wordle
#4: Exercise…yes, yes, it’s so cliche, but it really helps. Even a 10-minute walk outside can work wonders. Sink or Swim? Swimming will wait, but my goal is to get on a recumbent bike when I get the green light to do so.
That left wrist – and the rest of me – won’t be doing that any time soon 
#5: Putting pen to paper – or colored pencils to coloring books! Journaling is a different kind of happiness, it’s highly personal, but lets you get it out, save it, or crumple it up and start over. Adult coloring books were “hot” during Covid, but they are still a fun way to get that stress out of your mind.
Does anyone remember Spirograph?
So much fun doing this as a kid…
Remember, as the great Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Do your darndest to get out of the Funk and stay engaged with laughter.
Just one more thing, from Spamalot:
I feel happy. I feel happy.
I am not dead yet
I can dance and I can sing
I am not dead yet
I can do the Highland Fling
I’m not dead yet either!!!! Suppose it’s time to rent a Monty Python movie and have some laughs. And do the Highland Fling?
I’m a bit sad, but not dead yet!!
Sink or Swim 