We all want to be happy, undeniably. For some people happiness comes easier than others, but what we’re starting to understand is that happiness, that sense of connection and ease of appreciating the good moments and being more graceful and resilient during the difficult ones, is a skill and strength that we can all build…. Read more »
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There’s no question in my mind that we all want to be happy. For some people happiness comes easier than others, but what we’re starting to understand is that happiness — that sense of connection and ease of appreciating the good moments and being more graceful and resilient during the difficult ones — is a… Read more »
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Taking care of ourselves and doing what we love is NOT selfish Most of us are taught from an early age that being selfless is a good thing. There are many benefits of altruism to both our mental and physical well-being. However, sometimes the messaging we receive to be giving of ourselves, to push ourselves to the… Read more »
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Our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative. If our boss tells us five things we are doing wonderfully at work but mentions one area we need to improve upon, or our partner consistently compliments our appearance but one day comments that a certain outfit is not flattering, we zero in on the negative…. Read more »
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Why is nature good for our physical and mental well-being? “Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.” –Edward Abbey At a recent conference, I was shown a satirical commercial advertising what they called Nature Rx. “Are you feeling tired, irritable, stressed out?,” a young man asks from a rowboat, setting the stage… Read more »
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All my life I’ve been living in the fast lane Can’t slow down, I’m a rolling freight train One more time, gotta start all over Can’t slow down I’m a lone red rover Oh how did it come to this? ~Lyrics from “Polaroid” by Imagine Dragons From an early age many… Read more »
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“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.” ~Elizabeth Gilbert There is perhaps no better tool to live in the present and find joy than gratitude. Knowing what we appreciate in life means knowing who we are, what… Read more »
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In my experience of asking people what it means to live well, the answers I’ve received, while sharing some common threads, have been as varied as the individuals with whom I’ve spoken. I became interested in these questions during my time studying philosophy as an undergraduate. Philosophical inquiries into “living well” and how to do… Read more »
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When it comes to our own happiness, many of us are familiar with the pattern of taking two steps forward, one step back. For example, if we want to lose weight, we may find that after having some success, which makes us happy, we drift up to a higher weight than we started at. If… Read more »
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In the writing workshops I teach, I advocate that writing can save your life. Using my own life as a compass, I suggest that when navigating difficult waters, we all need something to turn to—whatever tempers our stress levels. For some people, it might be exercise; for others it might be talk therapy. But for… Read more »
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