Q: My husband and I are in our 70s. We feel we are living in perilous times. What can we do to change our outlook?

A: Compare yourselves to the caveman's daily routine! You can choose a positive or negative attitude and outlook! TV, radio, newspapers, books, magazines and our "Uncle Google" are available to solve your problems.

The lack of employment, threats to your safety, possible divorce or family splits, dysfunctional families, increasing health costs, outbreak of new wars, shootings and other downers are always theoretical issues we face.

Choose positive friends for companionship. They exist. Listen to good music that is upbeat. A little daily yoga and meditation are winners. Become more concerned with what you eat, exercising regularly, and taking daily walks at work.

Your mood can be uplifted by smiles, holding a door open for a stranger, or just saying "Hello!" Performing kind little gestures can really brighten up your day.

Donating cash and food supplies to firefighters, volunteering at charities and bringing meals to people who can't leave their homes will distract you from your concerns and worries. Giving hugs relieves stress and helps to disconnect from boredom, loneliness and other factors we experience every day.

Answering your smartphone is not mandatory. Consider turning it off an hour a day. Rarely will doing so create a major crisis. Tell your friends you need a timeout!

Buy and love a pet. They not only love you unconditionally — they also prove to be your best friend.

When you return home from work and open the door, your pet can hardly wait to be petted and loved! Just knowing that will happen gives you something to look forward to.

Amazingly, it is the little things that count big-time. Try it!

THE JOY OF SMALL TALK!

Q: I am a curious 28-year-old lady who was raised as an only child. My parents were New Englanders who were always concerned about sharing too much information and were criticized if they did so. I am trying to get over that attitude and make small talk with strangers. I hesitate and actually fear doing so. How can I get over my concerns?

A: With the winning and positive attitude you now have perhaps the best way to overcome your fears is to realize that if you choose to make the effort and an individual responds it will increase your happiness and well-being.

Professional research has proven that those of us who are comfortable making small talk are happier!

I ride the Amtrak train a couple of times a week. As an outgoing 84-year-old male who doesn't look too dangerous, I have a field day when I open up a conversation with my seat-mate and he or she responds with a friendly reply. It makes the trip seem shorter, and I always learn something worth knowing.

Sometimes strangers do not respond, or they let me know they do not wish to talk, are on their phones, reading or studying, outwardly sad or grieving, or any number of other things. I then read the sports and financial pages of my newspaper.

If you do not make an attempt to make small talk you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime!

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at [email protected]. Betty is a friend of Doug Mayberry, whom she helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.