CARTOONS are signs that one shouldn’t take life too seriously. Animated characters keep one childlike, peppy and injected with good humor.

Upon waking up, my husband and I like to immediately tune in to either Cartoon Network, the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon while we prepare for work. We start our day off with a little silliness and lots of good smiles. We like the humor of “The Fairly OddParents,” about a boy who has two fairy godparents. Sometimes we catch “Justice League,” “Little Einsteins” and “Ben 10.” Mornings are much lighter to manage when you’ve got company like that!

I suppose cartoons bring such joy to me because I still feel like a kid when I watch them. They remind me to look at life with a happier disposition, that it’s okay to be silly, and that hey, anything is possible — like having fairies for godparents.

Yoshi is one my favorite characters. He’s the dinosaur from the Mario Bros. game. I’m not too fond of reptiles, but his big nose, playful stance and big smile make me smile myself. My fondness for Yoshi has triggered me to collect Yoshi stuff! Donald Duck also makes me giggle, especially when he throws one of those tantrums. Akazukin Chacha is also a favorite because of her curious eyes and friendly demeanor. Yep, cartoons really make me smile.

Who’s your favorite cartoon character? Do you still watch cartoons! I hope you do!

WHEN answering a phone call, say “Hello!” with a smile.

Whether you also say “Ignacio residence,” “Good morning!” or “Thanks for calling XX company. How may I help you?” upon answering the phone, don’t forget to put on that smile. It immediately puts you in a better disposition and the tone of your voice becomes friendlier. If you’re in a bad mood before picking up that phone call, that smile of yours will make you feel calmer.

Now if it still doesn’t give you a little dose of cheer, well, just remember not to take out that bad mood of yours on that random caller. So, smile! And who knows? Perhaps the person on the other end of the line will feel a little more cheery too.

“I SPY with my little eye, something red and shiny.”

Yes, you! I’m playing a game with you! Is there anything near you that’s colored red and that shines? C’mon, look. I’m waiting. *taps foot* So you’ve seen it? Great! I knew there was such a thing near you. No, this isn’t about E.S.P. It’s about looking at things around you with fresh eyes, your fresh eyes.

Everyday routine has trained us to see and watch out for the expected. When I look out my window, for example, I know I’ll see jeepneys lined up one after the other, waiting for passengers to transport to the next town. I know I’ll also see the same old rust-stained roofs of neighbors, the same city skyline, the same tricycles racing one after the other. Think about what you’ll see outside your window when you get up from your computer. What do you expect to see?

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WHAT’s your happy food? You know, the food that brings so much sunshine into your day with just a few bites, the food that you get excited about as it’s being set down in front of you, the food that you’d do cartwheels with. Let’s call happy food as the food that makes you want to jump around when you know you’re having it.

And more than what these happy foods are, I wonder why and how they make us happy. Imagine a bowl of piping hot champorado with tuyo flakes, while the rain rages outside. Seems like a good setting doesn’t it? The warm, sticky texture of the rice and sweetness of the chocolate envelop me in a cocoon of comfort, but it’s not necessarily my happy food. But that doesn’t mean comfort food can’t be happy food!

What makes happy food happy? Could it be the playful form it can take, like popsicles and licorice strings? Could it be that the food has inherent properties that are stimulating, like coffee and chocolate? Could it be that certain foods are associated with happy times in one’s life? For example, one of my happy food choices would be avocado ice candy because it reminds me of these same treats my Mom made when I was a kid. I feel like a jolly little kid again.

Happy food for me would also be: monggo ice candy, orange-flavored popsicles, pizza with lots of pepperoni, green M&Ms, hot pan de sal with Milo powder, nachos with salsa. Yeah! I’m smiling just thinking about them. Having a serving of any of these delicious goodies will definitely make my day much brighter.

What would your happy food be?