The exciting field of Positive Psychology has helped create a new awareness on the importance of positive emotions. Researchers now know that how we think about "what we're thinking about" directly effects our physiology. This is not a Pollyanna method of denial around life's inevitable problems, but rather the discovery that we have much more control over our attitudes than we can imagine. Much of how we navigate life is based on making situations worse than they are, i.e catastrophising. This behavior elicits fear which in turn revs up the body/mind to be ready for danger. Many individuals have trained themselves daily to be on alert status throughout the day making a mountain out of the proverbial molehill. In other words a mugging is not the same as the computer crashing. This type of over-reacting can change if we take the time to practice simple exercises that can help interrupt the stress cycle. I encourage you to keep a pad and pencil next to your bed and before you go to sleep write down several situations, people you met, or places you went to that made you feel good. Something as simple as interacting with a gracious clerk or having another driver allow you into the traffic pattern can make the heart feel warm and cozy. It reminds us that as Einstein said "The world is a friendly place". Please feel free to share your observations with us in this blog so everyone can be inspired. Loretta