How do you get past a bad mood?

Have you ever a day when no one can do anything right? Mine was Monday. Nothing went right. Not one of co-workers or family members could do anything to make the day better. It was a day in which I should have been sequestered and left to my own devices--namely a book and large glass of caffinated beverage. (Sorry, doc, I just can’t take the decaf on days like this.)
All day long I wondered about how to get out of the foul mood, how to be more sociable and how could I never get in that mood again. There were no answers but my mind kept coming back to a bit of wisdom I learned along the road of this life.
When you feel badly about yourself or what you are doing, it’s time to focus on someone else. Pity does nothing to heal  the soul.  
Volunteers are needed in so many different parts of our community. Schools need volunteers for various occassions and if the schools are covered, call a boosters group for one of the school organizations. The local food pantry can always use help.
No you won’t get paid with money. That’s the definition of volunteering --to serve of one’s own free will. But you will be compensated through feelings and profound thanks from those you help.
When we were growing up, my sisters and I helped our grandparents on a regular occassion with odd and end jobs around the farm. We never thought of being paid for it and our grandparents didn’t think of paying us for it either. It was a give and take relationship, although I’m not certain who got the better end of the deal. I would say my sisters and I but I’m sure our grandparents thought they got the best of the deal.
Everyone won.
Steve Jobs said “Think Differently” and I wish I could think differently when I’m in that rotten-awful mood.  
Maybe the best way to start thinking differently is to stop thinking at all--but just for a little while.