At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if your hair wasn't perfect or if your spouse forgot to throw out the garbage. Focus on being happy. And you will be.

This New Year's, let's draw needed attention to and appreciate the simplicity and significance of the weight of words. Let's gain control over our emotional waistlines and reflect on the words and sayings that weigh us down and lift us up.

The other day someone told me that I was being a "Negatron." I guessed what it meant, but sought clarification; I was told that I needed to learn to be more positive, that I needed an attitude adjustment. My first reaction was defensive: "No way! I'm not negative!"

The key to the placebo effect is that the patient expects a good outcome, while in the nocebo effect the expectation is of a bad outcome: I will be pleased versus I will not be pleased.