
Though I've mentioned the
environmental concerns related to a long distance relationship, I know that being able to physically see the person you love is extremely important. Feeling like a major facet of your relationship is out of your control can be very frustrating, and missing someone is always a struggle. Together, these can make long distance relationships difficult, which is probably why they get such a bad reputation.

To combat the impending Winter and the lagging economy, last week
Smitten challenged its readers to list
five of their favorite simple pleasures in life. By making ourselves more aware of the good things around us, we can take our minds off of the things in our lives that aren't going as well as we'd like. It's all about the power of positive thinking, so if you're a person who tends to see the glass as half empty, this is perfect for you!

Forty-four percent of respondents believe America's best days are still to come, according to
a poll just released. The pessimists, who think the good days have passed, represent 41 percent of the surveyed group.
Optimism about the country's future appears tied to individual economic status — voters who make less than $40,000 a year are more likely to say the best days are behind the US.

Having a positive attitude is always a plus when it comes to
leaving an impression,
getting to know new people, and keeping your chin up during a rough patch. But sometimes, and I know some people may not agree with me, an optimistic outlook is not for the best. When the going gets tough, I think it’s important to be realistic, and I often find a friend or family member’s optimism irritating or just plain irrational.

Welcome to the Gratitude Project, our practice of noticing and actively valuing the good things that happen in our lives. Featured every Sunday, we'll all be listing at least 3 things, in detail, that we're grateful for from this past week. I'll keep the link open throughout the week on the Editor's Picks box, so you can post on the weekdays, too.