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"Turn your face toward the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you." "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day." "See the glass as half-full, not half-empty." Researchers are finding that thoughts like these, the hallmarks of people sometimes called "cockeyed optimists," can do far more than raise one's spirits. They may actually improve health and extend life. There is no longer any doubt that what happens in the brain influences what happens in the body. When facing a health crisis, actively cultivating positive emotions can boost the immune system and counter depression. Studies have shown an indisputable link between having a positive outlook and health benefits like lower blood pressure, less heart disease, better weight control and healthier blood sugar levels. There are also eight skills researchers identified that can help develop a more positive attitude: ■ Recognize a positive event each day. ■ Savor that event and log it in a journal or tell someone about it. ■ Start a daily gratitude journal. ■ List a personal strength and note how you used it. ■ Set an attainable goal and note your progress. ■ Report a relatively minor stress and list ways to reappraise the event positively. ■ Recognize and practice small acts of kindness daily. ■ Practice mindfulness, focusing on the here and now rather than the past or future.

This journal article discusses the prevalent use of emojis and how they are becoming more integrated into our language. It talks about the literal and metaphorical meanings of emojis, functions of emojis, and emoji interpretation across different cultures. It explains how pictography has been used in the past and what the future could hold for emojis.