Hey Rose,
So often at meetings you will hear the phrase "Fake it till you make it" and this a good place to apply it. Like saying Thank You when all you are thinking is "So why didn't you make salad to go with the pasta?" or " What's the big deal...I do that every day"
Making an effort to see and appreciate the small unexpected things on a daily basis really can make the world seem like a better place. And often when you make an effort to voice that appreciation you will get more in return.
It is something like when we are raising our children they say to try to ignore the bad and make over the good. It works with children and it works with H's and A's as well.
And don't think of it as manipulation because that is not what it is about. This is all about YOU and your focus. Focus on what you do not have and that is all that you will see.
And about your friend...think about the face that you show the world....we all want to be Ward and June, right? Believe me...everyone else is out there showing thier best face, too. There are thorns in everyone's gardens...even June Cleaver's!