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.

No Problems

   
     Just issues and challenges, or so they say.  Only in math, do we use the p word.  Or you might remember in the movie Apollo 13: "Houston, we have a problem" with not enough oxygen or electricity to complete the mission.  Now, that's a problem!
     Euphemisms are words that help soften a term that might be considered unpleasant to hear.  We are familiar with "passed away" instead of "died."  Perhaps using these softer words can change our emotions from a somewhat negative connotation to a more positive reaction.  An issue seems like a fact to consider and a challenge seems to propel us toward an outcome.
     When we get an unexpected negative reaction from someone, we often ask, "What's your problem?"   A softer word does not convey our emotion.  We are showing disapproval and want an explanation.
     Even though we are encouraged not to use the word, we know when we have a problem.  We have to recognize the seriousness, handle the emotional reaction, and plan a solution if there is one.  Some problems are not just issues and have no solution.  No matter how badly we want to accept the challenge, our solution may be just to adapt.  We can change our perspective, but the problem remains.
     You are in the minority if you have no problems.  
 
       

Essentials

 
     Everyone has limited time, energy, and money; therefore, what is essential must be determined.  Just envision those without the necessities and realize what is vital for existence: sustenance, basic clothing, and shelter.  Education, health care, and loving contact are also necessary for development.  Living in peace and safety without fear of violence is another requirement for survival.  Meeting these needs should bring a certain amount of contentment.
     When our own desires or the wants of our children exceed what is absolutely necessary,  contentment is difficult to reach, let alone happiness.  The amount of time, energy, and money spent on having more than we need lessens our ability to appreciate the basics of life.  Our self-centered pursuit of non essentials also decreases our ability to focus on the less fortunate.
     The continued question "What do you want?" is usually answered by things that go beyond our needs. Many people don't appreciate what they have and just want more and more.  Those really in need often find true happiness with a full stomach, warm clothing, and a safe place to live.  Of course, they want to be healthy and have the opportunity to learn and love.
      Many people around the world plus those in our own country and neighborhoods are in need of the essentials.  If you have what you need, help those who don't.  As you enjoy all the extras in life, keep in mind what others need and not just at the popular times of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
   

Above and Beyond

   
     Doing more than is required or expected especially to benefit others is sometimes recognized and rewarded, but other times is taken for granted or not even noticed.  Those in dangerous occupations, especially those wearing a uniform and carrying a gun, often receive thanks, praise, medals, and life-long perks.  We feel gratitude to them who risk life and limb in our stead to make us feel safe.
     The list of duties in the military is very clear, handed down from the tradition of each branch of service.  Police duties are defined by law.  Civilians, however, receive their list of duties from various sources.  Down through history, males in power decided who was to do what.  Some people believe our duties come from God, the Father and God, the Son as written in scriptures.  Our families often train us to follow a traditional list of duties.  We need to be aware of who designed our duty list.
     We need to mature and realize that we should design our own sense of duty, what we should and shouldn't do.  Some of our actions will be noticed; some will not.  We need to feel satisfaction about fulfilling our duties and also appreciate what others do to sustain and improve our lives.  Not to minimize the sacrifices of those in uniform, but those who work in peaceful pursuits deserve a gold star for going above and beyond.