It’s at times like these that we can be cheered by the unexpected. I met an old colleague from a former job the other day. She has no work and little to live on. When I asked how things were, she beamed when she replied: “I’ve got my health; what more do I need?” And she wasn’t joking.
It brought me up short as I remembered the New Year’s wishes we have all been exchanging: “Beste wensen – Best wishes” to which you reply “en een goede gezondheid – and good health” to which the other responds “ja, dat is het belangrijkste – yes, that’s the most important”.
I recently came across some tips on how to lift your spirits, just in case you need bucking up. Some require you to get off your couch: vijf minuten op en neer springen – jump up and down for five minutes. Another gets you out of the house: vul je longen en wandel ca. 20 min. 3x/week weer of geen weer – fill your lungs and go for a walk about 20 mins three times a week, weather or no weather.
If this sounds a bit too energetic, try laughing: tien minuten een hartelijke lach verjaagt de stress van de dag – ten minutes heartily laughing chases away the stress of the day. I’ve just tried a belly laugh but gave up after a minute because I didn’t have anything particular to laugh about, and the cat gave me a look. Which leads me on to: aai de poes wat vaker – stroke the cat more often, which I’ll try but without the guffawing.
This one does cheer me up, but it’s best appreciated when the house is empty: actief muziek spelen doet je al het andere vergeten – actively playing music makes you forget all the rest. I must say, I’m always cheered by the arrival of Flanders Today on a Wednesday. Or you can search the internet for “goed nieuws” and there you’ll find plenty of sites with all the good news you need.
Perhaps this is all a bit forced. A more tranquil approach may be necessary: aanvaard wat je niet kan veranderen – accept what you can’t change; alles kan, niets moet – everything is possible, nothing is necessary. Which is all very well, but I have a deadline to meet.
Flanders Today is a 
-8°C / -2°C
