Say what you will about me, clearly I’m not overly obsessed about my online reputation :).

Two weeks ago, Debbi tagged me from her blog, The Shrinking Knitter, and I just found it (via Technorati).

What a neat blog! Debbi and I have lots in common: we’re both Geminis, we’re both in communications, and we’re both Jills-of-all-trades. Though I crochet :).

So lessee, the tag instructions are:

Name five of life’s simple pleasures that you like…

This is interesting, as I’ve actually been meaning to compose such a list. As a compulsive overeater, I’m one of those people who eat for thousands of reasons, and being able to avoid eating for the wrong reasons is a skill I want to master.

I’ve been contemplating whether or not it would be helpful to have a “My Favorite Things” tactic for such times. You know, from the Sound of Music, where Julie Andrews soothes the kids’ fear of the thunderstorm with listing her favorite things, like raindrops on roses, and ending with:

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel…so bad

Here’s the thing…what if there is a neurochemical reason for this?

I don’t know if it’s really true, but the theory that the brain can’t distinguish between an actual experience and a visualized one is the premise behind the use of creative visualization for a variety of personal issues.

So why not cravings?

Note that I don’t believe that all cravings are a result of emotions. Sure, sometimes you may well want to eat because you are mad, or sad, or even glad. But I think that more often than not, cravings are due to an out-of-whack bio-chemistry, whether it’s blood sugar or insulin or it’s dopamine, serotonin, or beta-endorphins.

So what if it’s possible to fool your brain by contemplating your favorite things…to the point that some neurochemical changes occur that short-circuit the need to overeat?

I haven’t really had a chance to put this to the test, since I’m doing relatively well these days, but I have been meaning to compile a list and carry it so that I could give it a try.

Having been tagged to do this very thing, I’ll go ahead (albeit two weeks late) and come up with at least five simple pleasures/favorite things:

• Playing Mario Party with my nieces.
• Watching TV at night with my two cats curled up on me or beside me.
• Singing a moving selection with the church choir.
• Watching a chick flick, especially a five-hankie one.
• Seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
• Hiking in New England in the fall.
• Soaking in a hot tub after skiing all day.
• Having my two-year-old niece fall asleep on my shoulder.
• Remembering Christmas at home when my mom was alive.
• Watching the first snowfall of the season.
• Smelling the cinnamon at a CinnaBon store.
• Putting on Burt’s Bees peppermint oil lip gloss.
• Wearing a Polarfleece jacket when I’m cold.
• Winning an all-night bridge game.
• Having the crowd yell your club’s name from the BU Bridge while you’re rowing in the Head of the Charles.
• Lighting lots of candles.
• Finding the perfect gift for a friend or family member.
• Sleeping in on the weekend under a fluffy comforter.

Well, that should do for a start! I was in Kinko’s recently, and noticed that they now have a self-serve laminating machine. Maybe I should make up a copy of these to put in my wallet. I may put the list of favorite things on one side, with a reminder to take some deep breaths and then really imagine some of the items from my list.

Wouldn’t it be cool if this worked?