I think you are right that we would all be better off if we could learn to think of our emotions as something that we can change. Most people think emotions are like the weather and that we just need to endure it.

I am always reminding myself to appreciate the positive aspects of my current circumstances. It is hard to do, though, because I'm generally thinking of the future - my next project. Planning for the future is important, too. I've come to realize than the one thing that brings me happiness more than anything else is variety of experience. Some people thrive in a stable, predictable environment and others blossom and grow when they are challenged with new problems.