Among the many beautiful things that can brighten a mood almost instantly, cacti are prime at the top of my most joyful list. I currently have five at my disposal, and they brighten my mood at every turn, leaving me with a prickly happiness that can only be achieved via succulent life force. Cacti are basically little beams of green happy light. Even to glance at my windowsill stacked with teacups and baskets of rice-surrounded little buddies is enough to turn my dreary cloudy Wednesday into a garden of happy thoughts-plant buddies are the best buddies. They don't even require much work-these little tough guys are dedicated survivors, used to acrid heat or extreme cold as seen in deserts and college dorms. I firmly believe and recommend all college students who frequently suffer the plague of Sunday Scaries and Monday blues should invest in a green friend to stand guard against melancholy feelings and shove nothing but sunshine down all surrounding humans' throats. The most celebrated of joys should be the cactus, a faithful friend willing to prick any non-believer.