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BS: what cheers you up?

19 Mar 02 - 05:53 PM (#672181)
Subject: what cheers you up?
From: Dorrie

what cheers you up? i'm really sad at the moment for loads of silly reasons i went to a session on sunday and it didnt even make me smile! just wondering about all you guys out there in cyber space. i usually find singing really loud in the bath is good. U?

d xx


19 Mar 02 - 05:59 PM (#672184)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: RichM

Depends on why I'm sad. Anticipating the arrival of spring helps.
Getting outside, going downtown, visiting my favorite music stores(--where I have friends I can talk to).
Going to a concert helps.
Playing a gig always helps my mood, my energy level.

Having a partner to share my sadness with, is a big one.

Ultimately, the most effective one is looking at why I'm sad, and making a start to do something to resolve the cause.

Rich McCarthy


19 Mar 02 - 06:00 PM (#672185)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

At the moment, not a lot.... a good sing helps though.

LTS


19 Mar 02 - 06:02 PM (#672187)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

Then, in the words of Queen 'a nice long ride on my motorbike', or better still, my friend's motorbike (she's got a really big one.....)to the beach to walk in the wind.

LTS


19 Mar 02 - 06:03 PM (#672188)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Bagpuss

Singing at the top of my lungs on the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere.

When singing doesn't cheer me up or I have no inclination towards music, it is usually a sign that I might be getting depressed and I take plenty of preventative measures.

Hope you find something to bring you cheer. I would tell you a joke to help things along, but I'm afraid all the jokes I know are so bad that they would have the opposite effect!

Bagpuss


19 Mar 02 - 06:03 PM (#672189)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: InOBU

AH LIZ! Ya beat me to it! I was going to simply say... "nothin" ... that would have cheered me up immeasurably! Cheers Larry


19 Mar 02 - 06:15 PM (#672202)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Menita

Oh Dorrie, I'm sorry you feel so low. I find looking thru' old photo albums cheers me up. Giving my mind time off helps to get things into perspective. Being a woman has a lot to answer for-can't expect those poor chaps out there to even try to understand! If you need someone to talk to-I'll listen. LA


19 Mar 02 - 06:17 PM (#672204)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: SharonA

Playing with my goofy cat!


19 Mar 02 - 06:27 PM (#672207)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Amergin

my partner....


19 Mar 02 - 06:46 PM (#672221)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Desdemona

When in doubt, immerse yourself in hot water: I always head straight for the bathtub (a whisky on the side doesn't hurt, either).

Getting out & seeing people whose company I enjoy & having a good, hard laugh.

A hot cup of tea, a good book, and the leisure to enjoy them.

A nice long walk, long enough to really feel the blood pumping through your veins & to put some colour in your cheeks.

A long drive at top speed, singing at the top of my lungs.

Hope you feel better soon!

D.


19 Mar 02 - 07:22 PM (#672238)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: gnu

Number one is cheering someone else up. Number two is just talking to someone. Number three is the Cafe where I can usually find something to occupy my mind. So, I can combine 1 & 3 and tell you that you are in good company. If all else fails, put on some Rickie Lee Jones and settle in.... might I suggest "Company". It might be a bit down, but it's the blues, man, and it helps to know it's not just us... after all, like Red says, we're all in this together.


19 Mar 02 - 07:50 PM (#672260)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: dagenham doc

Good point 'gnu'.. cheering someone else up always works for me, and performing is the way I cheer up others.If it has lifted them, it's sure lifted me . You know that feeling??

Doc.


19 Mar 02 - 08:42 PM (#672287)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: gnu

Oh yeah.... it's the best... that's why we do it. That's what folk, trad, rock, blues, rap (yes, even crap) ....... is. It's being human.


19 Mar 02 - 09:32 PM (#672306)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Midchuck

Playing and singing - by myself is good; with others with compatible musical tastes is better; for an audience that actually listens is best.

Any kind of aerobic activity - x-c skiing, jogging, just brisk walking.

A client paying a bill.

A little good ale or good bourbon - provided that I remember that more will not necessarily make me feel even better.

One other answer is too obvious to need mentioning.

Peter.


19 Mar 02 - 09:36 PM (#672310)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: The Pooka

Well *listening* to good performers, like youse guys, *does* lift the spirits of us civilian audience-types; so if that's a mutually-reinforcing thing, all the better! Gnu, yeah even "crap" could do it sometimes; but that's a moot point, we talkin Mudcatters here...)

For me, humor often works too --- especially if it's totally ridiculous and and directed at me by my compassionate wife. It is so aggravating :) to be lifted out of the black gloom and set to giggling, by having yer significant-other poke fun at you with unerring aim & exquisitely anarchic skill.

But lucy ann -- Yes us "poor chaps" out here can "try to understand" -- & succeed, even! We get sad. Depressed, even. We do. And Yes we can even admit it. (Well. Sort of.) /I read (today!) how our *symptoms* are somewhat different from yours; but -- so wot? The cause is the same. / Sometimes maybe we need another man to talk to. / More often, maybe a woman. :) / Woops Sorry. I think I'm cheering up, here.

Dorrie, I sincerely hope you feel better very soon. / I wish you could hear ME sing really loud. You'd roar with laughter I can assure you, and lose dem blues. / But I won't suggest this therapy take place in the bath; that would wreck the effeck. (The horror! The horror!)


19 Mar 02 - 10:05 PM (#672323)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: pattyClink

Committing some small mischief. Who needs a chuckle or a peg-down, what can you do to shake things up? Can be elaborate setups or just zoom a harmless missile over the cubicle wall,

Calling an old friend or sibling and telling them about something idiotic you've been going through, and finding things to laugh about.


19 Mar 02 - 10:32 PM (#672337)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: hesperis

Depends on what kind of sad it is... some sadnesses are worth a good descent into the dark...

My friends cheer me up when I need them too, and don't cheer me up when I want to enjoy the beautiful melancholy mood.


19 Mar 02 - 11:01 PM (#672348)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

beer.


19 Mar 02 - 11:14 PM (#672356)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: michaelr

A big fat hooter of NorCal's best.


19 Mar 02 - 11:16 PM (#672359)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: dagenham doc

hesperis... Oh how right you are! Midchuck.. I find it hard to get up when I'm down...or is it down when I'm up?

Doc.


19 Mar 02 - 11:30 PM (#672369)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: kendall

A stiff shot of 16 year old Scotch! Seamus. I wish you were here to share it. I might even let you play my Apollo 12 string! Thanks again my friend, that was one hell of a gift.


19 Mar 02 - 11:38 PM (#672374)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: kendall

What cheers me up? thinking of all the beautiful friends who have sent me e mails and PM's from all over the world.I dont know what I did to deserve it, but, I sure do appreciate it.


19 Mar 02 - 11:51 PM (#672383)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CarolC

Frank Capra films frequently cheer me up. Playing my accordion usually cheers me up. Writing often cheers me up.

Laughing almost always cheers me up. And of course, enjoying friends cheers me up.


19 Mar 02 - 11:55 PM (#672386)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CarolC

If I reach my goal of getting healthy enough to go rollerblading, I think that will cheer me up, too.


20 Mar 02 - 12:31 AM (#672395)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

"some sadnesses are worth a good descent into the dark..." yeah, but sometimes the dark just swallows you up, and that's when things need help like right NOW!

My own little dark pit of despair has been looming larger and larger for a while now..... not exactly helped by some stuff on here recently either. It's got to the point where I don't know if I'm taking my home problems out at work or my work problems out at home..... Ian Dury may have come up with lots of reasons to be cheerful, but sometimes you can be hard pressed to even find one.

Personally I find looking through old photo albums terrible, they bring back memories of happier times, yes, but then you remember the people you were with, and what has happened to them, and sometimes the remembering is too hard to bear..... all those happy faces, all those might have beens...... that smiling cheerful face in my last school photo, glad to be leaving school, but then I remember what happened later that year...... the girl on the boat having the time of her life with a man she loved more than anything... where is he now? Married to someone else and out of reach.... the boat long gone to another shore.

When you're down in the dark, sometimes thing just get darker.


20 Mar 02 - 01:08 AM (#672410)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Mudlark

I think the very act of trying to "cheer oneself up" is depressing, and often bound for failure. Happiness is a byproduct, not a goal in itelf (I know this is true, but I have a hard time living it myself). The two things that usually get me out of a downward spiral are: interaction with somebody else, preferably someone who wont point out to me how lucky I am (I know that already...and for some reason sometimes it doesn't help), and tackling a difficult job and getting it done...somehow in the act ov focusing on the job at hand, and the satisfaction of completing it, my mood often turns around. For shallow depths, a rousing romp with my dogs outside usually works, as do lots of things, like actually achieving an unblurry Bminor, singing loud (especially whle driving with the windows open, singing along with something that rocks and I really like, like Bonnie Raitt). And sometimes I can even write myself out of the blues, by getting all the circular thots in my head down on paper in a linear way that helps--sometimes--to lead me to the source of the problem.

And sometimes, the only thing to do is let the blues have their way with you, and hope you wake to sunshine the next day. Hope things are looking considerably brighter by the end of this thread!


20 Mar 02 - 03:26 AM (#672428)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: C-flat

In a bid to improve my fitness, I recently bought a bicycle. As I knew that my 5 year-old daughter wouldn't let me go without her I added a second saddle to the crossbar and some foot-rests. Although pushing a combined weight of 18 stone and being 20 years out of practice, I've found this activity to be a most uplifting experience. If I ever feel down, and there's been plenty to be down about lately, I get the bike out and spend an hour with my daughter seeing the world through her eyes!


20 Mar 02 - 07:14 AM (#672484)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Fibula Mattock

Reading the "Campsite at Drumcree" thread(s) on Mudcat helped a bit when I was in my recent pit of despair. And the "Humor Us" threads have enough daft jokes to curl up the corners of your mouth. (The joke perma-thread is here.)

Listening to Tom Lehrer's "Vatican Rag" makes me laugh out loud every time.

Rock climbing at the local climbing wall. I've found that climbing and climbing til I fall off (safely) works wonders to get adrenalin flowing and tires me out. Sense of achievement plus sense of exhaustion - mental and physical focus so you can't think of anything else, even if you want to.

Are you near the sea? That's usually a good spirit-lifter. The smell and the wind and the water and the sound.

Buy some nice food, spend time cooking a good meal, enjoy it with a great wine.


20 Mar 02 - 07:59 AM (#672504)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CarolC

These guys almost always cheer me up...

Click for some laughs.


20 Mar 02 - 11:14 AM (#672617)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Steve in Idaho

My partner giving me a boot in the butt. Reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for.

And I wouldn't do alcohol to alleviate sadness on a bet. It's a depressant -

Steve


20 Mar 02 - 11:25 AM (#672630)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: greg stephens

Well, on my birthday recently I got sent a card which was a picture of Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin in bed together with no clothes on. And I cant explain why, but on a bad day looking at that picture helps make me feel that the universe is basically a Good Place.


20 Mar 02 - 12:43 PM (#672676)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST

Prozac and Xanax-25.


20 Mar 02 - 01:01 PM (#672695)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Dorrie

i found a new way of cheering up being reallllllllllllllllllllly bad at accents but still singing everything in them. hahaha


20 Mar 02 - 02:27 PM (#672763)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CapriUni

Laughing hard -- even fake laughing (just chanting "Ha, ho, he, heh, ha, ha, ha"); keep fake laughing up long enough, and it will turn into real laughter -- especially if you try not to laugh, for some odd reason. Maybe singing in a fake accent is akin to that.

Creating something -- drawing a picture, writing a poem or song and then giving it away as a present; inventing a cat toy and then watching my two kittle cats leap after it. Anything that provides tangible evidence of my value in the world.


20 Mar 02 - 05:51 PM (#672894)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Celtic Soul

As someone here has already said, it largely depends on what exactly is making me glum.

1.) PMS: Extract of Chastetree berry. 2.) Grey day: Think about next sunny day (when it's not *too* cold) when I can take a drive in my convertible. 3.) Bad day at work: "Red Dwarf" in large quantities with my sweety. 4.) Interpersonal political BS/flames/injustices/double standards/"holier than thou" crap: Get the hell away from it, and spend some time amongst the sane. 5.) Death of loved one/acquaintance: Time with other someones to reconnect, and share the mourning.

If all else fails, the turning of the earth always helps.


20 Mar 02 - 06:11 PM (#672909)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Steve in Idaho

Ah Celtic Soul - what sage advice - I liked it -

Steve


20 Mar 02 - 06:24 PM (#672920)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: SharonA

"Laughter, the Best Medicine", as Reader's Digest says. When I'm down, I'll gravitate to TV shows that consistently give me a good belly-laugh or six (for example, the "Sound Effects" game on "Whose Line Is It, Anyway?" seldom fails me!).

I also get a kick out of listening to unintentionally funny songs; this morning on the way to work, I heard Frank Sinatra's jazzed-up version of "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" and that was good for a broad smile! Then there's Bobby Darin's rendition of "Artificial Flowers" – I never fail to grimace gleefully at the improvised ending:

Throw away those artificial flowers,
Those dumb-dumb flowers,
Fashioned from Annie's,
Fashioned from A-a-a-annie's
Des-pa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-air.
(Give her the real thing!)"


20 Mar 02 - 06:48 PM (#672938)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Gareth

A good pint or three, Good company and a song. Preferably with a good win against England at the Arms Park/Millenium Stadium.

My God them pirates new how to enjoy life !

Gareth


20 Mar 02 - 07:40 PM (#672979)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

Then there's good friends who send you virtual Sean Connerys (I'll never ride side saddle again) and chocolate..... better already!

LTS


20 Mar 02 - 07:56 PM (#672987)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Amos

Wal, in the final analysis the only things that cheer me up are (a)communicating with friends (b) producing valuable results and (c) the truth. This last is a special joy when available. Sadly rare, tho'! :>)

A


20 Mar 02 - 08:32 PM (#673011)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Big John

Listening to radio reports of proceedings at Dail Eirann. (The Irish Parliament). Todays discussion centred on the awarding of a Government contract of 50 million euros to an English company who had a bank balance of 5 euros. It sounds like an Irish joke but its true.


20 Mar 02 - 09:39 PM (#673044)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST,John Gray ( at work )

Sex.

JG/FME


20 Mar 02 - 11:02 PM (#673095)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: YOR

I'll second that vote! SEX


21 Mar 02 - 03:36 AM (#673181)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

Well..chocolate..... and hugs both real and virtual...and what worked this week was reading Night owls thread. Made me realise that the people who matter most to me are still here and all in fairly good nick.

Diva


21 Mar 02 - 01:41 PM (#673433)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: hesperis

LTS - sorry, didn't mean to belittle the OTHER dark. I've been in both places. One is rather enjoyable, the other DEFINITELY isn't!!!!!!!!

*Hugs in apology*


21 Mar 02 - 02:18 PM (#673456)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: SINSULL

Watching my half grown cat (whom I helped deliver) run, tumble, slide and fall up and down stairs. He never learns. Then watching 12 year old Homey chase the kitten up and down, in and out until both need a rest. He has never learned either.

I sing when I am happy. Can't do it when I am sad.


21 Mar 02 - 02:25 PM (#673459)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Dorrie

guys please bear in mind i'm only 17!!!!!!! i'm far too young for sex!!!! hahaha no its true.

chocolates, singing and laughing are ace

d xx


21 Mar 02 - 02:27 PM (#673461)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: JudeL

LtS ... Chocolate & Virtual Sean Connerys ..... sounds good to me .....it must be a really good friend who knows you well ... the only thing is what's this about never riding side-saddle again?


21 Mar 02 - 02:31 PM (#673466)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: SharonA

Diva: I dunno, I found Night Owl's thread depressing. Not because of the stories of tragedy in her life, but because of the stories of all the things she has done with her life. Makes me think, "Geez, I'm 45 and I haven't done sh** with mine!!!!" (I'm not sure how true that really is, but one tends to think in absolute negatives when one is in a funk!)


21 Mar 02 - 02:43 PM (#673475)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: bflat

Positive thinking; music; friendships; serving an ace; my grandson's voice; humor(I have some funny friends, natural comics); doing things for others and lots of happy memories works for me.

Ellen


21 Mar 02 - 04:18 PM (#673551)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

JudeL - refer back to John Gray's post, add Sean Connery covered in chocolate.....

There you go... but remember, I thought of it first.

LTS


21 Mar 02 - 04:28 PM (#673559)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CarolC

...although sex can be the reason one needs cheering up, if one isn't getting any. So I'm sticking with laughter.


21 Mar 02 - 05:01 PM (#673578)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

I have a copy of his biography (Sean Connery) sadly no pics of him covered in chocolate. Damm!!!!!!!!!!!!!


21 Mar 02 - 05:58 PM (#673619)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Hollowfox

I dunno, Sean Connery's kinda furry on the chest for chocolate. Still, I'll get in line with the rest of you.
Well, Dorrie, now I know you're not the girlfriend I had when I was seventeen! The good news is you have the good sense to ask, and the wisdom to not follow all the advice given. *g* Now for my two bits..drinking alone is generally a bad idea when you're feeling down, as alcohol is a depressant. Having a dram with a friend (when it becomes legal for you) is one thing, then it can be a relaxant. Of course you know that drinking won't solve the problem, etcetc.. enough of that lecture.
Physical movement, like all that advice above to take a walk, is a very good idea. Part of this is because, if nothing else, you're changing the scenery, and you're actually doing something. Even if you're "too tired", some movement of some kind helps. Maybe it's an aid to circulation or something. Back in the 1600's, Robert Burton wrote a (now) delightfully goofy book called Anatomy of Melancholy on this very subject. This is one of the things he got right.
Also (educated guess on my part), get your school work and household chores out of the way. If they pile up on you, you'll feel overwhelmed and really depressed. This lasts well past school, Hon. I'm still trying to grow up enough to follow this advice, and I have a son your age. (Don't tell him, I'm trying to keep up the illusion that I'm a good example!) That being done, do a little something you enjoy, nothing elaborate. I have some needlework I can always pick up. I even do a bit of coloring, in one of those museum gift shop coloring books I got for just such times as this (I can't draw).
And of course, there's the music. If you're not making some, put on the radio or a CD, rather than listen in the silence to your own bummed out mood. When silence and solitude are the right thing, you'll know.


21 Mar 02 - 05:58 PM (#673620)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Kim C

When Mister acts like a big goofball, most of the time that will make me laugh. However, there are those times when foolish behavior backfires and only makes me more annoyed.

I like cooking an extravagant (well, for me, anyway) meal. It's usually still cheaper than going to an extravagant restaurant, plus I get to take part in the creative process.

The bathtub, as others have mentioned, is also good. I usually take a glass of wine in with me. However it isn't always a good idea to partake of alcohol when you're down. In those instances, cocoa will suffice.

Pet a dog. Buy a new lipstick. Go for a drive or a walk.

Make something. Several years ago my wallet was stolen, with a large amount of cash, and a couple of credit cards, which were promptly used by the perpetrators. I had just got paid, and that was all my money. I sat in the floor and made a beaded necklace, one bead at a time, and it distracted me for awhile. I never wore it, and later on took it apart to use the parts for something else. I realized in this instance it wasn't the finished product that was important, but the process of making it.


21 Mar 02 - 07:50 PM (#673696)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Mickey191

Been working for years-Put on Joplin doing Me & Bobby McGee-Open the window and breathe Deeply-Roll around with the Barking Pomeranian-and lastly coffee.


22 Mar 02 - 10:25 AM (#673987)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Gervase

At the moment, bugger all.
But cooking is good, especially if there's someone to share it with.
Getting out into the elements helps too - the past two days with their hint of sun after what seem like weeks of rain have bucked me up no end.
Grow something - anything; a dope plant in a pot, a row of beans or a windowbox full of herbs.
Play with the cat. Laugh at the dog. Don't look backwards.
And it can sometimes help to recall that, however shitty things seem at the moment, for someone, somewhere, life is hugely shittier. Buy the Big Issue every week and practise random acts of kindness.
And did anyone mention music and song?
Then, one fine day, you'll find that the black dog has gone.


22 Mar 02 - 12:49 PM (#674089)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Bearheart

Great thread.

Sometimes singing the saddest song I can think of will help, because what I really need is a good cry.

But it's different every time.

Almost always, being touched (sex or other wise) by someone who really cares. It gets you back in your body, out of your head and you don't feel so alone. (A big depression trigger for me.)

It's helpful to find out what's at the root of it-- feeling 1)alone/abandoned, 2)overwhelmed, 3)useless, 4) uncreative, 5)general low self-esteem, 6) powerless 7) not in control (perhaps because of something horrible going on in the world.

Interesting, there are often physical causes. I liked Celtic Soul's comments. There are herbs that help if it's hormonal or to tonify your nervous system. (Find a good herbalist or read up on it.) But also it's now well documented that people who are blood type O are metabolicly prone to depression especially when stressed, and many of us can combat the depression simply with dietary changes and proper excercise. (For Os that means really getting the blood up-- walking, running, biking, dancing, even vigorous drumming.) See "Live Right For Your Type", the latest of the blood type diet books for lots of info. I found that just getting wheat out of my diet and substituting other grains made a tremendous difference.

Bekki


22 Mar 02 - 01:31 PM (#674127)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Jimmy C

When I am down and need a little tonic a visit from my grandchildren does it every time. Next ,just lazing around picking and grinning, either alone or with friends. Some times I just want to get to a calming plateau with "a bottle of wine and Patsy Cline", or a Guinness, or a Bushmills, or a vodka, or a Jack Daniels, or the whole damn lot, God I am so easy to cheer up.


22 Mar 02 - 02:16 PM (#674165)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: fat B****rd

Finishing work at 6 o'clock this morning and looking forward to a weeks holiday with lots of time to myself.


23 Mar 02 - 07:30 AM (#674664)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: lady penelope

Parker wearing the "Hat of a thousand smiles"
My cats
Damn loud sing
Watching an over emotional film ( tears streaming down my face "I'm so happy!" )
Walking round in Parkers shoes (my feet are size 6, Parker's are size 11 )
Free wheeling down a bloody great big hill, Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Blowing bubbles
Spontainiously improvising dance routines in the kitchen
Watching the sun rise out in a field or something, reassures me that the world hasn't ended during the long dark night!

TTFN M'lady P.


23 Mar 02 - 08:16 AM (#674694)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Uncle_DaveO

Singing for an audience, anywhere from one to you-name-it in size, whether in actual presence or on Paltalk. I never feel so alive as when performing.

Dave Oesterreich


23 Mar 02 - 12:27 PM (#674825)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Celtic Soul

Sharon A penned: "I dunno, I found Night Owl's thread depressing. Not because of the stories of tragedy in her life, but because of the stories of all the things she has done with her life. Makes me think, "Geez, I'm 45 and I haven't done sh** with mine!!!!" (I'm not sure how true that really is, but one tends to think in absolute negatives when one is in a funk!)"

I hear that! Recently (in terms of my whole life) I learned something to help with this one, though. In order to change your perception/self image for the long haul (so that it carries through even during the tough times), you have to make a habit of looking at what is good and right in your life. The things you have done well, and try not to make many comparisons. Even when faced with internal or external judgmental behaviour, you have to continue looking at what it is you have done that is good and right. I learned this by looking at my kid, and watching when she *really* learned and grew the most. It is always when she is positive, and is recieving positive reinforcement, especially in moments of stress. When she is feeling bad about herself, or when she is being criticized, she learns how to feel bad, but nothing really changes. In order for her to move beyond it, she needs to be positive. And I discovered that, even though I am 40 years of age, I am no different. What is different for me though is that I am cognizant of the fact that I play the primary role in my own happiness, and that the worlds opinions are simply that, their opinions, and not necessarily "the truth".

Now if I could just make my heart believe it 24/7, I'd be doing really well.


23 Mar 02 - 02:52 PM (#674918)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

The sight of 5 fairy wing clad pink and white lacy things called children having a whale of a time dancing the can can, dropping the whole of the party table onto the floor, minus birthday cake, thank heaven!!, and knowing I don't have to do it for another year, that has cheered me up!!! Hearing Manitas clear up the remainder of the mess has cheered me up even more!!

LTS


23 Mar 02 - 04:43 PM (#674976)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Ebbie

'Misery loves company'? Nope. I remember from years ago when I was really depressed, hearing someone else's sad story didn't cheer me at all. It just made me realize all over again that the world is a really, really sad place.

In recent years (20 or so), it's much easier not to get into that space at all. In fact, when I do, I have created it myself. I call it 'poisoning my own well'. Like not being able to keep your tongue from a wobbly tooth. For me, since I evidently don't have a chemical imbalance, it's easier just not to go there.

What cheers me the most, and most quickly, is throwing a jam or song circle in my own home. Even when I'm not up to participating myself, as after recent surgery, just immersing myself in live music among friends is a nurturing, absorbing experience, something I hope to honor the rest of my life.

Ebbie


23 Mar 02 - 05:44 PM (#674999)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Mrs Cobble

......Daffadills in the little wood next to my house.......

Mrs C


24 Mar 02 - 05:50 AM (#675278)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Catherine Jayne

I agree with Liz about the photo albums.....only having a handful of photos of my familiy and actually looking at them makes me feel even worse when I feel down. I havent seen any of my familiy apart from my 18 year old night club mad brother since christmas.

I find listening to my favourite cd, a hot bubble bath surrounded by candles, a long chat whether over the phone or in person and a hug helps. If all of the above fail then a huge bar of chocolate, a pack of 2o cigarettes and a bottle of Jack Daniels!!!!!

catsPHiddle x


27 Mar 02 - 10:12 AM (#677358)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

To drag this screaming and kicking back to music....

Hit the prozac,
Don't give a f**k no more, no more, no more, no more,
Hit the prozac,
Don't give a f**k no more.....

Thank you Lady P, have used this so much recently.....

LTS


27 Mar 02 - 10:49 AM (#677397)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

Not a lot at the moment. Not even chocolate.


27 Mar 02 - 11:27 AM (#677416)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Murph10566

Invariably: my beautiful wife, Patricia...

Brilliant post, Celtic Soul... (and so many others)...

By logic: oft-times lately - The Mudcatters...

Thanks to all,

M.


28 Mar 02 - 02:57 AM (#677932)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

Hey Diva, what about a whingefest one evening....?

I ate a whole easter egg yesterday.

Didn't help.

LTS


28 Mar 02 - 03:49 AM (#677939)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

How long you got Squeaky?? Even the thought of Ian Bruce in his leather trousers isn't denting this....and I'm going to the folk club to see him tonight

Diva


28 Mar 02 - 07:04 AM (#677987)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Jerry Rasmussen

Doing something for someone who is worse off than I am. Just because you have the inaleinable right to pursue happiness doesn't mean you're going to catch it.

Jerry


28 Mar 02 - 12:45 PM (#678285)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CapriUni

Jerry --

Then again, sometimes the happiness comes from the pursuit itself -- doing something, anything, often fights off dispair. Especially when the dispair comes from feeling powerless.

I truely believe that the purpose of life is to experience joy (whether that purpose is granted by a Divine being, or arose out of the evolutionary process is irrevelent, as far as I'm concerned). But that doesn't mean we ever come by joy easily.

After all, the purpose of a cactus's roots is to find water in the desert. But even so, keeping joy as the focal point of my thoughts and actions is a big help, even when that focal point is on the distant horizen.


28 Mar 02 - 12:56 PM (#678294)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

Kind friends who send me hugs and good advice from afar. And old friends who know I'm in the doldrums and come out of their way to visit and drag me round Jedburgh and feed me huge cream teas,then make me walk it off!!!!!!!

Diva


28 Mar 02 - 02:40 PM (#678375)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

Eating a whole Easter egg. That won't surprise you. What will surprise you is that it was one of last years!!!

Discovering the Mississippi Mud Pie Muller Corner Yoghurt. It's a yoghurt, it must be doing me good. Chocolate doesn't count when it's a yoghurt.

LTS


28 Mar 02 - 03:58 PM (#678424)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST,mg

I am grateful that I don't have this problem. I suspect a large percentage of it in many people is biological, and one place to look is fatty acid intake..both quality and quantity. Don't get on the low-fat or no-fat or no saturated fat bandwagon if you are depressed, especially if you are from Irish, Scandinavian or Native American ancestry. I have read in several health books that we do not convert certain fatty acids right because of our ancestors' easy access to and dependence on seafoods. So eat your seafoods, several times a week. Salmon is especially good they say..or fish oil tablets. Read up on depression and fatty acid imbalances. Read Krispin Sullivan (I think) on Vitamin D deficiencies which are rampant..get in the sunshine, unless contraindicated. Read up on trans-fats and the havoc they are wreaking in people's nervous system and circulatory system structure.

Anyway, what cheers me up..whenever I realize I have enough to eat and there are no bombs falling on me I am basically slightly happy. To get really happy I get a real coke (which I shouldn't) and a National Enquirer. If I was really sad I would put on a Linda Rondstadt album and blare it till the neighbors complained.

mg


29 Mar 02 - 12:38 PM (#678886)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST

raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens


29 Mar 02 - 01:33 PM (#678921)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Diva

And to round of a very pleasant day,a rather lovely hug from a leatherclad man!!!!!!!

Diva


29 Mar 02 - 02:36 PM (#678951)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CapriUni

Four neighbor children running up my front walk and ringing my doorbell for no other reason than to hand me freshly picked daffodills, and then running off again. : - )

Makes my worries about relationships with grown-ups much less important.


30 Mar 02 - 02:41 AM (#679341)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST,DL

Cheers the tv show Cheers


30 Mar 02 - 03:04 AM (#679350)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: MichaelAnthony

Midchuck,

Are you sure about the exercise? I guess it varies. Sometimes, it does me some good. Othertimes, even after doing it when I really don't feel like it, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Or is this just me making exuses?


30 Mar 02 - 03:04 AM (#679352)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

I watched Cheers yesterday morning... I can't see why I thought it was so funny 20 years ago.... except for Carla. I want to be Carla (and not just because she's married to Danny DeVito... I've no idea why I find that man attractive, but I do..... is this another symptom of impending fruitcakeness?).

LTS


30 Mar 02 - 03:10 AM (#679354)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: CarolC

Maybe it's his eyes, LtS. He's able to use his eyes to communicate an amazing amount of stuff. Especially devilishness.


30 Mar 02 - 10:16 AM (#679447)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: lady penelope

Hi Liz, I'd forgotten about that! Was that at the Towersy when you pegged me out in my army surplus poncho? I have just aquired a different poncho with no convinient peg holes.........<20>: )

TTFN M'Lady P.


30 Mar 02 - 12:16 PM (#679512)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: MichaelAnthony

Eating a can of tuna with triskets.

Changing my sleeping pattern.

Interacting with someone I find intelligent and sensitive.

Guthrie.

Doing something small that I've been putting off for a while, like slightly organizing the dresser.


30 Mar 02 - 04:14 PM (#679643)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Deckman

Bride Judy's tongue in my ear! CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson


05 Apr 02 - 11:16 PM (#684267)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST

dead easter rabbits and chickys

because they are in my belly

chocolate and mellow of course


06 Apr 02 - 04:14 AM (#684367)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

GUEST - it's a bad time when not even a dead bunny gets me cheered up.... I feel the need to rip something up... last few times that's happened, I christened our 1950's tiled fire surround 'Newham Council' (they'd just sacked me for being asthmatic and part time), then beat the crap out of it with a pickaxe and a 5lb lump hammer, or took the same 'implements of destruction' to the patio, temporarily renamed 'that bastard from work' and ended up with a 3ft deep, 4ft square pond.

Heaven only knows what will happen this time.... we may end up with a serving hatch in the dining room wall or a bedroom with suspended bed and gothic roof beams (I want to move a ceiling light..... we may end up with no ceiling.....)

LTS


06 Apr 02 - 11:56 AM (#684524)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Catherine Jayne

Any good ideas would be grateful. I tried going out for a walk in the glorious sun today but it hurt too much. I've run out of cigarettes and I've nearly finished off the JD. I think I need to curl up with my cats and watch a girlie film............OR I would like to beat the crap out of something but snails can move faster than me at the moment. Oh well fake smiles all round I think!!!

cat


07 Apr 02 - 01:42 AM (#684834)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST

What are you talking about?

>I christened our 1950's tiled fire surround 'Newham Council' (they'd just sacked me for being asthmatic and part time), then beat the crap out of it with a pickaxe and a 5lb lump hammer


07 Apr 02 - 03:38 AM (#684846)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

What don't you get....?

The 1950's tiled fire surround - a shit brown coloured ceramic tile and concrete structure, bordering an open fire place for coal/log fires. They were very popular in the 1950's, when the fashion was for ripping out anything Victorian and replacing it with souless, non functional ugly stuff. The whole thing was less than 6" wide which made it useless as a mantlepiece, as the clock is 7" wide, it obscured the original art nouveau tilesss and stuck out 2' into the room. Being concrete and tile, an unsteady 2 yr old had already fallen over it several times, and the risk of serious injury was increasing as the top was about level with her head when she got to 3 years old.

Newham Council were my former employers. They had a purge of those with high sickness levels. They sacked several people, two of whom were asthmatic. The full time asthmatic got reinstated on appeal. Despite proving that my manager massaged my sickness figures (doubling them pro rata to my part time status, thus giving me a 6 day working week once a month and twice as many sick days as actually taken), my appeal failed, simply because I was part time. To give an example... if I worked 3 days one week, and took the middle day off sick, my manager would work it out as if I were full time, thus giving me a 6 day week and 2 days off sick, regardless of which days I took. Obviously, if I were at work Wed, off Thurs but back Fri, I would have worked the same if I'd been full time. Get it? In the UK, despite being a life threatening illness, more so than diabetes or epilepsy (stats show more people die in a year from asthma than the other two) asthma is not considered a disability. Were it so, I'd still be there.

Pickaxe and a 5lb lumphammer - a pickaxe is a large digging implement, a wooden handle with a curved blade fixed at one end. The handle is fixed to the middle of the blade, one end of which is pointed, the other flattened out to make a cutting edge some 2-3 inches across. Commonly used for breaking concrete, levering up paving slabs and other physical labour. A lumphammer is a sturdy wooden handle bearing a solid metal head, roughly rectangular in shape, weighing between 2lb - 8lb. The commonest is 5lb. Used in conjunction with a wedge or chisel, it is heavier than the common hammer and is used for tougher substances such as concrete.

Clearer now? It cheered me up no end.

LTS


07 Apr 02 - 06:59 AM (#684893)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Catherine Jayne

Good explanation LtS I enjoyed it. I have asthma but dont consider it a disability however I do think it should be taken into account. Because I work in a smokey environment my employer makes sure I have regular check ups at the asthma clinic. If my peak flow drops too far I get taken out of the club and put on reception until it rises.

cat


07 Apr 02 - 01:42 PM (#685006)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: Liz the Squeak

Never ask me to explain, I can bullshit for my country.

LTS


07 Apr 02 - 02:57 PM (#685040)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: JeZeBeL

Beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex, beer, men, chocolate, sex..........get the idea??


08 Apr 02 - 12:30 AM (#685310)
Subject: RE: BS: what cheers you up?
From: GUEST

www.mudcatblues.org