In one form or another, Linus’s big, warm, blue security blanket is carried by all of us.

While trying to study for an exam Sunday night, my roommates were watching television when I took a self-perceived, well-deserved study break. I popped a frozen dinner into the microwave, thinking to myself how lucky I was in eating a “home-cooked” meal instead of the usual fast-food grease.

My roommates flipped past the final minutes of a football game—an occurence that happens about as often as an ice age—and found the 15 year anniversary special of Saturday Night Live.

I sat down, micro-dinner in hand, and began watching the show that many of us grew up with. The primary players returned to say a few kind words and jokes while reviewing old clips of favorite episodes.

Watching the show reminded me that most everyone can take some comfort in an important time in their lives. Not that hiding myself in the SNL gang refreshed my mind, enabling me to tackle the challanges of the next day; but it reminded me of some of the people that demented me in high school.

And a lot of the time, good memories are all it takes to bring someone out of a bad mood and help them find security in knowing that someone is there to turn to or remind them of a dear, close friend or relative. These memories can be triggered by anything and can help you or a friend out of a rut.

The tribute reminded me of friends retelling different SNL jokes in the locker room after football practice. Which in turn reminded me of football games, which in turn reminded me of victory celebrations which in turn… Well, you get the point.

This past weekend I was helping my girlfriend clean out the garage; no easy task by any means. In the process, I was reminded of the time that I cleaned out my grandparents’ home after they had passed away—no easy task either. But in between orders of where to put what, a smirk ran across my face as I thought of the good times shared with Gram and Gramps.

Sure, I was reminded of the trauma of their deaths and the difficulty I had in dealing with it away at school. But I also remember drinking a beer with Gramps on the porch and baking cookies with Grandma.

I also remember sitting next to their grave with a six-pack, alone with my thoughts and the company of their memories in the crisp night air, always leaving one open beer by the grave in a pseudo-sharing gesture.

More importantly, I remember strangers on my floor helping me get through the evenings I received the news, waking up the next morning with a new spectrum of friends with outstretched hands and broad shoulders.

The SNL gang undoubtedly held a reunion of sorts before and after the show. Sharing stories, catching up and revitalizing old friendships helps anyone feel good about themselves—possibly the key to many successes in life.

The same good feelings can be used to roust yourself out of a depressed mood, and might enable you to see your problems a little more clearly in order to find a solution.

Of course, this solution is like most; it isn’t fool-proof, but it offers a little relief when away from loved ones who better understand the situation because they better understand you.

So the next time other remedies fail to do the trick, try going to bed early and clutching a big, warm blanket. Any color will do.