This is a good question. I have better days when I am in a place of gratitude. When one is caught up in self-pity or remorse, one cannot live with happiness at that moment. I try to stay grateful every day, but it is not often possible, especially if one watches the news these days.

First, I try not to watch much news on TV. My girlfriend hardly ever watches TV. She will have coffee with me if I am watching TV, but we often mute it and just talk of our day ahead or the one prior.

Second, I try to find some gratitude, even if it means doing a gratitude inventory. This isn’t often necessary as I can usually find some things to be grateful for: my health, my living situation, my financial situation. I’m not rich by any means. However, my bills are paid, and I eat well. There are times I find myself wallowing in self-pity and not even knowing I am doing it. Then something will snap me out of it. A while ago, I was at work and in a poor mood, when around the corner in the grocery store where I work will come someone in a wheelchair, and I think, oh, what do I have to feel sorry for about. My life is a gift, and I am healthy. I can count my blessings today.