It would be really interesting to see what's happening in our brains when we do an exercise like "counting our blessings." I often get into a funk of just seeing the worst in everything. If i start listing the things that are still ok in my life, or things that I'm glad of, I feel so much more light-hearted. It works even when I dont want it to work (because I'm kind of unreasonable when I get into a funk). I suppose that's the power of our subconcious and concious working together!