The Flannel Sheets Effect

Life is full of tiny delights. Those little things that we find joy in. The blessed Eucharisteo moment that brightens your day. That particular moment when others look at you funny, struggling to grasp why you’re smiling like a goober because of how much you enjoy the soft touch of that fleece sweatshirt you have, the fact that you’re all smiles because you had a Snackpack for lunch on or that you’re all misty eyed because you’re awestruck by the sight of falling snowflakes. It’s those simple pleasures like a beautiful wake up, a hot shower to start your day, the rising sun as you drive into work or nailing that presentation at work. It’s those defining moments that makes you full of joy, but in the grand scheme of things aren’t really anything to anyone.

For the past month and a half I’ve wanted to buy flannel sheets to snuggle up into during the cold winter nights. Santa’s little messenger, and secret shopper – a.k.a my Mom – instructed me not to make my purchase as “Christmas is right around the corner.” To my dismay, on Christmas morning, there they were a brand new set of tan flannel sheets. On a side note, do you know how you know you’re getting old? You express your appreciation for a gift of flannel sheets with the joyful glee and giddy exuberance of a five-year-old if he were to open up that new G.I. Joe or Xbox game. As we concluded our Christmas morning routine I quickly threw those puppies into the washer and had ‘em on my bed within minutes of getting back to my apartment.

You see, for me, there is nothing better than new, clean sheets. To kick it up a notch, there’s no greater feeling than hopping out of the shower, drying off and getting into clean sheets; preferably still warm. Needless to say I slept like a baby that first night.

The point is, we all have our own definition of joy. We find joy in different things in our lives. As we enter into these cold, dark winter months and look down the road towards the ever popular, and emotionally divided, Valentine’s Day, it’s those simple pleasures that will keep us going. Those are the things that will fuel the fire as we kick the Winter Blues. What’s yours? Where do you find that joy in your life that makes you smile and it brightens your day? As we prepare to begin the new year let's take a moment on what will fill our lives with joy and our next year with hope.

Happy New years and get a pair of flannel sheets...you won't regret it!


Until next time...