New Uses for Old Tricks
I remember reading an article by the comic writer Ian Frazier that made me laugh out
loud. I know the kids claim this feat hourly, but my l.o.l. was sincere. The article
was hilarious and it immediately put me in a good mood. I was still laughing out loud
a few hours after reading it.
Days later I was sitting in my office, glum. I forget what was bothering me, nothing
major, but as I sat there pushing myself around in circles my eyes passed by it upon
every rotation. Sitting feet away on my filing cabinet, the article was yelling out
for me. I was too dim-witted to listen.
This is another instance where you can learn from my mistakes.
There I was, feeling glum, when a cure was within reach. Had I read the article a
second time, I know it would have snapped me out of my bad mood. Something that makes
you happy once is sure to do it again.
Books, movies, songs, walks, letters, people, places, games, paintings, ideas, photos,
scrapbooks--we are surrounded by things that have the power to make us happy. We know
that because they already have. But instead of using them like any other tool, we
forget about them when they're needed most.
This is an easy mistake to correct and an easy tip to use. The next time you're
feeling unhappy or out of sorts, return to something that made you happy in the past.
This is a simple idea, obvious to anyone. But it doesn't happen. People stew instead
of solve.
To take this tip a step farther, think of a few items right now--while you're feeling
good and thinking clearly--that put you in a good mood. Who knows, you might just be
laughing out loud sooner than you think.
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