Think of the happy times you, your family, and friends have had together. Recalling happiness of the past has the powerful ability to bring us happiness in the present.
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Neil came over on a boat when he was fourteen years old. He came by himself to a new country where he didn't know anyone.He got a job as a handyman, working for the mayor of a small East Coast city. It was an old-time political machine, and the mayor seemed to run everything in town. Neil would tell his grandchildren story after story about his trip to America and his early years working for the mayor.
This was his favorite story: Neil was walking across town in a frayed suit from the thrift shop that was two sizes too small. The mayor saw Neil walking by and asked him where he was going.
Neil said he was on his way to the church, he was about to be married. The mayor looked him up and down and said he should have a proper suit to be married in. Neil was embarrassed and told the mayor he did not have enough money to buy new clothes. The mayor told Neil that today he would be the bestdressed man in the city, and he quickly whisked him off to the tailor. The tailor's shop was closed. The mayor sent the police to find the tailor, who came in because the mayor asked him. The tailor made a fine set of clothes for Neil and asked Neil for no money.
Neil never grew tired of recounting his pride and excitement from that day—that the mayor had showed him such kindness and that he had not been a disappointment to his bride. No matter
how many times Neil told the story, it brought him a warm feeling inside.
When people consciously choose to think back on their past, over 80 percent tend to focus on very positive memories.
Hogstel and Curry 1995
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