Happy Chemicals

   
     Your brain produces happy chemicals which reward you with good feelings.  Taking good care of your physical, mental, and emotional health increases these chemicals.
     Sufficient sleep, nutrition, and exercise help us feel good.  Favorite foods and special treats like chocolate are known to boost our mood.  Running, even walking, swimming, dancing, and sports can add to our feelings of happiness.
     Social bonding and cuddling with people or pets make our brain feel good.  Massage can reduce stress and create a feel-good state.
     Meditation and other relaxation techniques are helpful.  Some people get a boost participating in religious rituals.  Music also has it's charms.
     Feeling self-confident,  practicing positive thinking, and accomplishing goals make our brain happy.  Laughter can produce those happy chemicals.  Gratitude also works.
     Be aware that some unhealthy habits can also produce these chemicals temporarily but in the end, can cause unhappiness or worse.
     Do whatever it takes to help your brain function toward happiness. Also, create happiness in the lives of others which benefits them and yourself.
       

Absurd

   
     What seems absurd to you, unreasonable, illogical, irrational, or nonsensical, usually applies to someone else, not yourself.  Being aware of our own absurdities is almost impossible.
     We look at ideas and opinions vastly different from our own and find it difficult to see how anyone could believe that.  Our beliefs are usually backed up by our culture, our family, and our religion.  We think we have the best, most accurate ideas here in the USA, in the typical middle-class suburbs, where most people mirror their parents and neighbors.  What they believe, we usually believe, maybe with some minor differences.
     Those from distant lands and foreign cultures often seem odd as do those in our own country who don't look like us, sound like us, or believe like us.  Some of their behaviors and  practices seem absurd.  More absurd are agnostics or atheists who many believe have completely missed the boat.
     In addition, look at all those politicians who don't agree with you.  They seem full of nonsense.  They haven't just missed the boat, they have lost their minds.  If only they had our sense, our logic.
     Apples and oranges are not the same.  One is not better or more correct than the other.  Compare the similarities as much as the differences.

   

Misconceptions

   
     Living with misconceptions may be more comfortable than desiring to discover the truth.  Continuing our lives just as they are today may be preferred over changing our minds.
     Many misconceptions have been passed on for numerous generations and are hard to dismiss because that would mean realizing that our ancestors were mistaken, that your family has ingrained in you from birth a belief based on faulty thinking.  Feelings of disloyalty might be felt all around.
     Giving up some misconceptions may also mean giving up presumed perks, facing harsh realities, and admitting you  have been wrong.  We might prefer continuing life without question, investigation, or change.
     Some misconceptions are temporary until evidence proves them false or lack of evidence exists to prove them correct.  We need to challenge the status quo, clear our minds, and live with the truth.
     Something may be blocking you from seeing the whole picture, creating a blind spot to reality.  Clarify your vision, then encourage others to think clearly which is a much better legacy than passing on misconceptions.

Warmth

   
     Winter reminds us of what it feels like to lack warmth.  We need a coat, a blanket, a furnace to provide comfort.  Our bodies cannot survive the cold without a lot of help.
     Distance also contributes to our lack of warmth.  We need connection, communication, and understanding to provide comfort.  We need others to keep us emotionally warm.  A disconnect can chill us as much as a cold wind.
     Don't miss opportunities to communicate, show interest in others, and increase understanding.  You will benefit as much as they will.  Even though you may prefer your peers, take the time to really connect and understand others, especially your family.  Give hugs and kisses, but be sure your words and tone of voice convey warmth.