I spent a day recently with two old friends. Someone mentioned another member of our friend group who had just completed her last round of chemo. Everyone made note of her positive attitude in the face of a scary diagnosis. We reminded one another that this friend boasted a naturally optimistic disposition; she fell into her natural upbeat state as she might have done with any unfortunate turn of events in her life.

So if adversity generates cheerful optimism, because that’s just who this person is, must we shower her with accolades for being her usual delightful and upbeat self? And conversely, should we criticize a friend facing illness for complaining because she falls short of the model patient we somehow need to admire?

I could pontificate from now till doomsday about the value of maintaining a positive attitude when bad luck comes a-calling but I’ll spare you. Others have written far more cogently than I ever could. Just know this: Do your best. You don’t need to put on a brave face to meet the world Every. Single. Day. No one expects you to.

The friend with cancer shared the following tale. She was feeling blue one day when the became aware of a sound she couldn’t recall having heard before. Exotic birds aren’t what one usually associates with suburban New England but there it was outside her window, chirping away, as if sent to my friend for the express purpose of bringing her a bit of cheer on a dark day. It was a gorgeous, lemon- yellow finch, usually associated with more exotic locales than the outskirts of Providence.

Finding such unexpected uplift from this tiny avian visitor, my friend felt compelled to learn more about her new guest, and she immediately got herself a bird guide app. She excitedly announced to me that she’d identified ten birds. Another friend counts the dogs she spots on her way to a class.

Whether you find a little bit of joy from birding out your kitchen window or taking a canine census while driving, you just might realize a lifting of your spirits with just a single, tiny observation.