Being tickled is a very special physical sensation – a blend of tingling, excitation and delight. It is a form of concentrated pleasure that tends to be unbearable. It is all about being pleasantly surprised.

Then there is tickling at the psychological level.

You feel tickled when you are moved by a picturesque sight. You have this wondrous sensation when you hit upon a creative idea or achieve something big. It also happens when you are overwhelmed by a piece of music or a beautiful passage in a book. It can be triggered by anything nice happening or a kind gesture on somebody’s part. Falling in love feels like being tickled.

Incidentally, tickling at the psychological level also gives rise to physical signs like goose bumps and flushing of the skin.

It would seem that the feeling of being tickled occurs when something nice or unexpected happens to you. But that is only one part of the story. Actually, this special feeling is not so much dependent on what happens to you but on your ability to recognize what happens when it does.

If good things happen to you and you are not able to notice them, it is as if they have not happened at all. It is really a question of being sensitive enough to register them.
A ‘tickled mindset’ is what brings about a ‘tickled experience’!

Sometime back there was a discussion in the “Tickled by Life” group on Facebook on “What tickles you?” We reproduce below the various replies submitted by group members.

What tickles you?

For me, it’s helping others.

Jé Maverick

I’m tickled by the idea that each day presents me with the option of creating something that didn’t exist yesterday, and that these things will take on a life of their own… positively and negatively. Every day is an opportunity to move the universe towards a better destination.

Trey Baird

A tickle: a pleasurable stimulus to sensitive nerve endings, provoking laughter.

When life tickles, the nerve endings are in the mind and soul. Pleasurable stimuli abound. You want to be tickled by life? Stand still outdoors, observing, and slowly turn in a circle, observing. Observe as much as you can. Take an hour at it if you want, or just a minute.

Study the clouds, how their shapes change moment to moment; watch a flock of birds, and how they interact, the fluid forms they create as a group; see how many shades of green you can find; spot an odd-shaped stone, and imagine touching it; notice something you have never noticed before; study a reflection. Observe, and by observing, receive the stimuli of life.

What tickles me the most? The grandeur of life.

Don Dewsnap

I love how you just described it. I get tickled when I look at the clouds, birds, and nature itself. I am especially tickled when I see babies of any kind experiencing something for the first time. Thank you for your description.

Lisa Morgan (In response to Don’s post above)

You are so right about the grandeur of life… and also those things which are so obvious and around us but we miss noticing them. It tickles to realize that they are always there but get noticed only when they affect our lives and touch our raw nerves.

Gitanjali Kamal (In response to Don’s post above)

I am tickled to be a part of “Tickled by Life”. What tickles me is when my husband and I are able to transform people from the medical sickness industry into the wellness industry and begin to age younger.

Stephanie Tippie

Watching my boys grow and learn. I laugh with joy from them daily. What puzzles me is how some people immediately assume when you are laughing it is at another’s expense and not the joy you are feeling.

Cyn Rielley

What tickles me is when I am helping or encouraging other people and the joy it brings to them. If for no other reason but to just help someone out, I don’t help to get something in return. No one can understand it. Maybe the people in this group, but my family thinks people use me. I don’t.

Lisa Morgan

I get tickled when I go back home from work and see my son. I get tickled when I am challenged, stretched to limits @ work /tennis.

Sharad Chowdhaary

I am tickled when I get a compliment. Okay, I admit it, I like doing things well and being appreciated and admired. That’s not why I try to do things well, but it is a real nice perk.

I also get tickled when anyone tells me that something I have said or written has been helpful or useful to them. That’s a big-time tickle, even better than being complimented. Knowing I have made another life better – what could be more tickly?

Don Dewsnap

I am thankful for life every day. Every morning we wake up, that’s another slew of blessings…its starts over everyday! God is good.

Chris Royal

What tickle me most nowadays is upbringing Kids and students to make their own “Future Map”.

Hayadin Bin Hayadin

I’m just jumping for joy today, I had a wonderful sleep, and woke up just enjoying life. Got a wonderful tickling mail earlier. I’m just enjoying this wonderful day, listening to my favourite Christmas music on Youtube. And looking forward to a Christmas party later today. Happy and embracing life. That’s me :O).
Tickles to you all.

Karin Ludvigsen

I’m tickled by other people who become so inwardly focused they miss the things going on around them. I am that person at times, and when I notice it in others, I’m immediately reminded to become more alert. Check out the world. It’s happening now!

Marc Carlin

I function best in an atmosphere of love and encouragement.

Abhijit Bhaduri

Unexpected compliments!

Clare Appleyard

Inspiration.

James Burgos

Success.

Aayush Wasu

To point out negative things.

DrunkenG-ride Bouncer

The concern that my best friend shows for me!!!!!

Sabeena Mazumdar

I’m not your best friend Sabeena, but I am tickled that you have invited me to this group. It seems like the best group I’ve been invited to, so far. Thank you!!!

Carl Boniface (In response to Sabeena’s post above)

I agree! Thank you!

Lisa Morgan (In response to Carl’s post above)

Affection and candidness.

Praveen Amancharla

My tickles of life are being able to bless others in some small way. Taking my dog for a walk and observing all the joy she has at just sniffing her own path of adventure. Choosing ‘Thank you’ to be my first and last words of every day. Taking in sunshine and breathing in the beauty of life.

Katherine Mikshenas

It’s funny you wrote that about your dog. I live with a roommate and her 3 animals. I used to enjoy watching the dog sleep or eat or when we went for walks how much his tail wagged when he got to sniff everything. We lost him a month ago and I miss him dearly. I love all animals so much because they are pure love and nothing distracts them from showing it.

Lisa Morgan (In response to Katherine’s post above)

I love animals too. I am sorry to hear about your dog. Please know you are in my prayers. I believe that all animals are in a special place in heaven waiting for us. All through the bible animals are present. Therefore, God and His angels watch over them. My favorite scripture is “The soul of every living thing is in the hand of God” Job 12:10. God bless you and may God give you a message of comfort that your precious dog is with Him in a place of love and comfort. Blessings of peace.

Katherine Mikshenas (In response to Lisa’s post above)

Thank you so much. Just the other day, Wednesday, I rescued a baby bird in my back yard – actually right out of the mouth of my roommate’s cat. I bundled it and called to try to save him. My roommate was ready to say, oh, well. It’s nature. She thought I was nuts to try and save it in the middle of the snow and on a holiday, but I ended up taking the baby to a downtown vet where they later were going to transfer it to a wildlife rescue. I can’t understand how anyone could watch a little life that is so needy just freeze and starve when I can save it. A beating heart is still a beating heart no matter how small it is is how I look at it. I even try to save the mice, too, if I can. I still feel the dog around me and even though he wasn’t “mine”, he is in my heart.

Lisa Morgan (In response to Katherine’s post above)

God bless you for caring for the tiniest creatures. The bible says what you do for the least you do for God. May you be blessed one thousand fold for the love and compassion in your heart. God bless you for blessing my day.

Katherine Mikshenas (In response to Lisa’s post above)

Dear readers:

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