Accepting reality
It’s Not Fair!
If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!How to stop yourself from facing still more regrets
You are probably wondering how the present economic mishaps could have messed up your life so much, and feeling fed up and depressed at the loss of many of your dreams. [...]
The Art of Being Who You Are
Gracefully accepting what you have is the best way to happiness
A great many people spend their lives being unhappy with the way they look and the way their life is working out, but thinking that other people always have something better isn’t so useful as a basis for your life.
Growing gracefully means making [...]
Keeping on an Even Keel
Is happiness a disease of affluence?
We are more and more a nation obsessed with being happy regardless of our situation. We are encouraged to expect that there will be a pill for every time we want to escape the problems caused by our high expectations of the perfect life. Not only do we expect [...]
Why you need more celebration in your life
Setting up your own special days to celebrate key life events can give you more joy and contentment
Americans have many special days in the year which they celebrate. There are national holidays and also events like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.
As an individual you can celebrate special days of your own. There will be [...]
The Zen of Survival
Voluntary simplicity may be the best way to survive difficult times
However much you want to be able to have that perfect wedding, give your kids the best vacation ever, treat your nearest and dearest to a slap-up meal, now may not be the time to do it. With the uncertainty in the financial markets, higher [...]
Everyday fiction: thoughts on the stories we tell ourselves
When it comes to telling others what happened, do you prefer dull truth or exciting fiction?
Do you like to hear other people’s views of what’s happening in the news — or would you prefer to find out for yourself? Do you want the ‘truth’; or do you want a good story? How much of what [...]
The secret to living well that too few people know
Giving up resentment and revenge are the keys to a better (and happier) life
Resentment is a form of reciprocal behavior: I’ll do to you what you did to me. It’s nursing a grudge and waiting until an opportunity occurs to pay the other person back in kind. During that time, the real or imagined [...]
How to build relationships that work
Other people are not broken . . . and nor are you
It’s tempting to think that your life would be better if only the people to deal with weren’t such a bunch of dysfunctional jerks. Tempting, but wrong. Other people aren’t broken and most aren’t dysfunctional either.
The reality is that it’s the way [...]
Is it worth seeking out a formula for happiness?
Beware of one-size-fits-all prescriptions for happiness
“Different strokes for different folks” is a good thought to keep in your mind. What makes one person happy might do virtually noting for many others. Much of the current writing on finding happiness seems to me to get dangerously close — maybe even fall into — the trap of [...]
How to slow down in everyday activities
Simple ways to live a slower life
Slowing down is one of the best ways to improve both your health and your outlook, especially when all the rush and pressure of this holiday time of year begin to increase feelings of stress.
Here are some simple ways to help yourself stay calm. None take extra effort and [...]
