The author of a recent book review in the Wall Street Journal suggests that the holiday season poses a challenge. In a season of joy, it is "hard to be happy in overcrowded airport lounges" or when we are "trying to stay civil for days on end" when it comes to spending time with relatives "who try our patience."
 
He then goes on to state that "think positive" advice, and "peppy affirmations" to change one's mood and visualizations of success "often achieve the opposite of their desired effect." There may be some merit in what this person has to say.  However, there just might be a piece missing here.
 
It is a well-researched fact that we move toward what we are thinking about, because human beings think in pictures. If someone tells us NOT to think about a white bear, because the words "white bear" draw a pretty specific picture, we are going to have a challenge thinking of something else. If we think about how uncomfortable we are going to be in a crowded airport, we don't stand much of a chance of enjoying the experience.
 
And this is where the article misses a piece: We have the ability to decide how we are going to react to situations. Typically, we can't change the situation, but we can change how we react to it. We can choose to be miserable and irritated, and our minds will go right to work at helping us see everything that makes the situation worse. It's called the self-fulfilling prophecy, aided and abetted by our Reticular Activating System.
 
However, the self-fulfilling prophecy can be pointed in a different direction. Something as simple as a smile can diffuse tension - in yourself and in the receiver of the heartfelt smile you give. It is also contagious!  Just try not smiling back when you are on the receiving end of an honest, heartfelt smile. It's darn near impossible!
 
We are going to look at this article again over the next couple of days, as there are some really interesting things being said. But for today, give the world around you a smile, and just see how it transforms your world.