1. Notice the flowers in the garden, as you do every morning on your way out of the building, squelching a pang of guilt, since you are supposed to be helping to care for some of these flowers. Squelching the pang comes easier today, because the plants are getting watered, and therefore aren't totally neglected. There you go, garden! How about some nice rain? The garden sneers back at you, not fooled for a minute. You did nothing to bring this rain. Never mind the garden. Carry on, chin up.

2. Walk so jauntily to the subway that you soak your pants to the knees. On the platform, discreetly check the condition of others' pants -- dry, every last one. They could have skipped through a sunlit field of daisies on the way here, instead of sloshing across a bridge getting sprayed by speeding taxicabs. How did they do that?

3. Admire the elegant blond ahead of you on the escalator as she opens her long, manicured fingers and turns her palm to the sky -- is it raining? -- then ever so gracefully unfurls her (no doubt designer) umbrella. Attempt to emulate her poise. Bonk yourself on the head, lightly but unmistakeably, with your own suddenly disheveled-looking umbrella. Cheerfully (and realistically) reset your goal: the clumsy charm of a girl who wears glasses. And works at a library.

4. Express your amazement at the painter who has set up, in addition to his customary easel, a sophisticated lean-to that keeps his oils, canvas, and himself dry, while allowing him to paint . . . the intersection? Sherry's Wine and Spirits? Anyway, some days, you are so lazy you can't even drag yourself off the couch into the next room to type. Instead of feeling shamed by him, feel inspired.

5. Smile broadly at the old woman on the bridge who wears red galoshes, white pants, black shirt, and red scarf. She's stylin!