When the third person sent me this article I figured I better pay attention. It has one of those catchy titles that render themselves indisputable with a number. 

Title notwithstanding, it was informative. The first suggestion is a gold standard.

Express your gratitude.

Because the author is a neuroscience researcher, he uses multisyllabic words like serotonin and dopamine.  What I had not realized though is that the trick isn't simply articulating a blessing, it is the process of looking for it. 

The next bullet point the author writes about is naming our negative feelings. He asserts that merely identifying what is troubling us gives us a handle, and a way to limit its effect on us. 

Anyone who spends time with preschoolers has heard the motto.

"Use your words, darling."

When feelings uncurl inside a three year old's body they can usurp more than their share of space. The act of saying "I'm angry!" ups the odds of that child being able to refrain from slugging anyone.

The other day I was coming unglued, and feeling guilty about it. A friend offered empathy.

"I bet you are tired." It felt like the emotion was sucked into a box with a lid. Yes, I was tired. Not bad, not incompetent, just bone tired. It had a name, and I could more easily track the cause. 

I will save the next two tidbits for tomorrow. Because these two will keep me busy until then.