War in Iraq and the threat of reprisals at home make for scary times.

But they also have a way of making everyday irritants - traffic jams, management meetings, computer glitches - seem not so bad after all.

War has a way of putting these kinds of problems into context, says Mark Self, a counselor and manager of TriHealth's Concern, an employee assistance and behavioral health management service in Kenwood.

So turn off the 24-hour headlines for a minute and think about what you have to be happy about.

Here's our list:

• You can read this, which indicates you have a pulse and most of your systems function well.

• Family, friends, a roof over your head. Basic, but good.

• Not even Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Ladin can stop the NCAA office pool.

• Graeter's. Just pick a flavor; it's all good.

• Look outside. Birds are singing. Grass and trees and flowers are bursting forth. Feeling sneezy? Claritin's over-the-counter.

• Fresh strawberries.

• Monday: The Reds go to it. Put us in, coach; we're ready to play today.

• It's not snowing.

• Sooner or later, this reality TV thing's gonna die.

• Elizabeth Smart.

• Whether you agree with the war or not, you have the right to voice an opinion.

• It's almost sandal weather.

• Yeah, traffic's bad, but, hey, at least you have a car. (And if you're a woman, you're allowed to drive.)

• You don't live in Baghdad.

• Pride Rock comes to the Aronoff: The Lion King takes the stage through May 18. Don't have tickets? The film version is on the big screen at the U.S. Bank Imax Theater.

• Lazy days on the Ohio River.

• At least there are doughnuts in meetings.

Peggy O'Farrell