It's the small things

I was walking down Charlotte St towards my rivercat when a young couple turned the corner coming towards me. The dad was pushing a twin stroller with sleeping twin boys oblivious to their journey. I found myself smiling at the boys and forgetting what a shit day I had just endured. I realised this straight away and was thankful they had saved my family from a cranky dad homecoming. It made me think about what other small or seemingly insignificant things have an immediate affect on me.
Babies is just one. Holding them or just seeing them is soothing for me and I am perpetually poking my wife in the ribs as we walk along to highlight a nearby cute baby. I don't do that for  the ugly ones though. I do have taste. If I know a parent well enough I'll ask to smell their baby's head. There is nothing like it and I have no idea why. I'm not the only one that is a head sniffer so I suspect there is something innately human about it.
Music will ease my mind as well. Listening but more so playing. Once upon a time my sax would emerge from its case in time to prevent me from imploding but this has slowly been replaced with my music. I have superb quality earphones (thanks to Jane's generosity) for both the commute and the kitchen (doesn't everyone have activity specific earphones?) . I can pick up my trusty iphone with never enough music on it and find a tune that will take me to a happy place near instantly and allow my brain time to fizzle to a dull roar.
Food will often be a place to retreat to. I'm not talking 3 michelin star meals, this is about the small things after all. But have you ever had a golden rough or mint pattie straight from the fridge? There are never enough shops that keep them in the fridge but when they do, its a little piece of heaven.
Animals, much like babies I suppose, draw my attention and calm me. I'm a dog person from way back and they tend to react favorably to me when I pat them.
I suspect the best position to be in would be to not need the little things but I do. Maybe one day I shan't but until that day I will smell, eat, hear, pat and look my way into bliss!