No matter how optimistic and good spirited you might be, there are bound to be times when the constant barrage of bad news, bad weather, and bad circumstances threaten to overwhelm. I am no stranger to this and believe that it's your ability to ride out the bad stuff and retain your sense of hope and determination that separates the strong from the weak. Easier said than done though, so here's a little web gem to add to your hope arsenal...

When you are feeling like this:

Check out Tonic.com, the site that never fails to jostle me out of even my stroppiest of moods. This site is all about goodness. Good news, inspirational stories, humanitarian efforts and events (without the sanctimonious palaver, thank you), and general feel good stuff. In an effort to put their money where their mouth is, the site eschews the typical online advertising model to generate revenue, instead offering an online store to etailers who provide some sort of social benefit. The site even allows you to search for good news by geography, industry, or special interest. All very cool. Next time the black clouds threatened to overwhelm, check out Tonic.com. You're sure to find something that shakes you out of your self-absorbed funk so that you can pick yourself up and get on with life.

Here's my favourite - as you're watching, note that Gracie was a shelter dog: