Don't Worry, Be Happy

All kidding aside, this book helps!

Long ago, in my twenties--another lifetime, it seems-- I was married to someone else. This person was not big into compassion. When I admitted to being depressed and needing to talk, his sole recommendation was, "Cheer up!" At the time I thought that was stupid, superficial and actually impossible advice to follow. But now, according to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, it turns out to be exactly what one should do. Go figure.

According to several unnamed experts, whenever you are feeling down you should engage in "self-compassion" by being optimistic. (Hey, why didn't I think of that?) Among the suggested activities is the simple act of changing all your computer passwords to boost your self-esteem with self-affirming messages that you will read many times a day. You are also supposed to calmly tell yourself, "Stop," when you have negative thoughts, send yourself a Valentine's Day card on any day you please, and make a list each night of the good and bad things that happened that day; "The good list should get longer, and the bad shorter." Another expert--this one with a name and the author of a book called "Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain"-- advises you hold a pencil horizontally in your mouth to activate the same muscles that are used when smiling. Here is my list of the good and bad things so far for today:

BAD
1. Read a dumb article in the Wall Street Journal

GOOD
1. Had a great cup of coffee
2. Changed my computer password to "youareyoungthinandsexy"
3. Ordered several boxes of No. 2 yellow pencils
4. Cancelled subscription to Wall Street Journal