The Rules to Break, 2nd Edition

RULE TO BREAK

“Avoid unnecessary displays of emotion”

This rule follows on very nicely from the last one, and now we’re getting more specific.

It’s a funny thing, but scientists have found that people who literally count their blessings are happier (on average) than those who don’t. Appreciating people properly is good for you and for them.

A closely related principle is that thanking people makes you feel better. We may in fact have Rule 34 to thank here,¹⁵ since thanking people makes them feel good (yes, despite the fact that no one can make you feel anything, but they can choose to feel good when we thank them). And, as Rule 34 tells us, helping other people makes you feel good about yourself. So it all goes round in a positive, upward ...