In order to understand better my following posts, i decided to start by defining few terms that i will use more frequently, and are close to each other.

Kindness - behavior that involve being friendly, generous or considerate;
Pro-social - term favored by scientists to refer to kindness;
Compassion - literally means "suffer together", it is a feeling that arises when you witness another's suffering and feel motivated to help relieve that suffering;
Empathy - ability to sense on imagine other people's emotions;
Sympathy - means "feel together", feeling close to other's emotions, but without the urge to help as in the case of compassion;
Pity - feeling sorry for someone's suffering, but the observer occupies a place of superiority and look down to the one suffering, while in the case of compassion they are equals.

Let's talk a bit about tryptophan. Do you know what it is? Or not? Is the amino acid that is responsible with the release of serotonin. And what is the serotonin, also known as the happiness hormone?

Let's start with the tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid needed for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot produce it -- you must get it from your diet. The body uses tryptophan to help make niacin and serotonin. Serotonin is thought to produce healthy sleep and a stable mood. In order for tryptophan in the diet to be changed into niacin, the body needs to have enough:iron, riboflavin, vitamin B6. Food Sources
tryptophan can be found in: cheese, eggs, milk, nuts. peanut butter, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy and tofu.

And what is the serotonin? Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a chemical found in the human body. It carries signals along and between nerves - a neurotransmitter. It is mainly found in the brain, bowels and blood platelets. It is thought to be especially active in constricting smooth muscles, transmitting impulses between nerve cells, regulating cyclic body processes and contributing to well being and happiness. Serotonin is regarded by some researchers as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance, and that a deficit of serotonin leads to depression. The word serotonin comes from its discovery when it was isolated in 1948 by Maurice M. Rapport and initially classified as a serum agent that affected vascular tone.

And the good news (or maybe the bad one) is that now you can find even tryptophan supplements, natural or not, organic or not.

“One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.” – Bruce Lee

* One fine article about gratitude, with lots of links to different studies and researches on gratitude and happiness. Click here.

** And my gift to you, if you are thinking that after weekend, Monday will always come.