Optimism is the Rational Choice The Science Behind Positive Thinking When it comes to happiness, the value of optimism is pretty obvious. If you have a positive outlook on life, you are, by definition, more happy. At least in the moment. But that sort of self-referential logic is a little incomplete, and it ignores the […]
Insights from the literature of extraordinary results I recently read “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. The second section identifies six “lies” that mainstream American culture mistakenly propagates. Keller and Papasan argue that we can achieve “extraordinary results” by no longer believing these lies. These lies also keep us from being happy, as […]
Yesterday evening I lost the keys to my car during a bike ride. I got AAA to tow the car from my garage to the Toyota dealership where they could make a new key this morning. When I hadn’t heard from the dealership, I called to ask about the progress. They could not find my […]
The idea that we don’t have enough space and resources on our planet for the growth of our population is not only unfounded, it produces unnecessary unhappiness. Replacing this myth with a more optimistic view is a more realistic view of the future, is more pragmatic, and can lead to a brighter day. Like most […]
Comically and Conscientiously Self-Promoting (Previously Published on DailyHap.com) “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” —Buddha Sure, you can achieve your happiness goals alone, but why bother? Why hide your happiness, when you can share it? […]
An easy trick that saves time… while the principle is universally applicable, this article applies mostly to gmail users. Does free time make you happy? Would you be happy if I told you a secret way you could have an entire day to do whatever you wanted, every year, for free—all it was a couple of […]
(crossposted on Daily Hap.com) “Suppose you read about a pill that you could take once a day to reduce anxiety and increase your contentment. Would you take it? Suppose further that the pill has a great variety of side effects, all of them good: increased self-esteem, empathy, and trust; it even improves memory. Suppose, finally, […]
This article cross-posted on DailyHap.com What do these have in common? “I’m so dumb, I can’t believe I stayed with him so long.” “I could have gotten that promotion, I don’t know why I didn’t do what was necessary to get it.” “We shouldn’t have played that song, the crowd didn’t like it.” “We could […]
This article originally posted on DailyHap.com It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8 What makes you happy? Spending an evening with a close friend? Dancing? A nice craft beer? Going shopping? Winning a game of volleyball? Watching a favorite TV show? Cooking a delicious meal?
There are many studies that show attending religious services can lead to longer, happier lives. The funny thing is, our most revered religious figures don’t promise happiness. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword,” and Buddha’s second noble truth essentially says that happiness inevitably leads to sadness because it never sticks around. Even modern spiritual teachers like Adyashanti say, “Enlightenment is a destructive process. It has nothing to do with becoming better or being happier.”
Let’s pretend for a moment that you have a friend who hates the politics of George W. Bush. Whenever the guy speaks, he begins to seethe with anger, and the rest of his day is ruined.
Originally posted on DailyHap, where I regularly contribute articles on happiness and well being. Fact: When you listen to music you like, music evokes positive emotions(1). Playing it combats stress(2). Music therapy has been shown to improve moods, raise motivation, reduce anxiety, and even “fight depression, insomnia, and addiction” (3)(4). It brings people together, and literally […]