Is there something negative about positive thinking? Judging by the titles of some books and the headlines of some newspaper and magazine articles, I can easily see how people could become confused. For example, an article in the May 2011 issue of Scientific American plants seeds of doubt with this title, Can Positive Thinking Be Negative? And the July 4, …
With Christmas behind Us and New Year’s before us, This Is the Season of Joy
Enjoy yourself ─ it’s later than you think. Does that sound like a frivolous statement or the title of a whimsical song? Not to Socrates, for that was one of his teachings. Although life may have been shorter then, his words are equally valid today. He wasn’t suggesting that we should party all day or avoid pain and seek pleasure. …
Unhappiness Is Caused by Things within Your Control
When I made that declaration at a party last week, everyone was surprised and responded with statements of disbelief: “What are you talking about? Are you saying that we’re responsible for the negative behaviour others direct at us? “ Many people believe that the events and circumstances they experience are what cause their emotions and what make them react …
The Nature and Importance of Love
I was asked by a reader, “What is the most important thing in life to you?” Since many of us may occasionally ask ourselves the same question, I thought it would be a good idea to share my answer with all our readers. By the way, you are also invited to ask me a question or suggest a topic for …
The Path to Happiness Is Straightforward
Happiness is not a happenstance, not a coincidence. It is a state of being, our natural state, which is released when we shed our negative thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behavior. But how do we shed these impediments? The answer is by becoming the person we want to be. We can guide ourselves to becoming that person by asking ourselves three …
Every Day is Better Than the Previous
“To …become what we are capable of becoming is the only end of life.” (Robert Louis Stevenson) How are things going? The next time someone asks, you may want to reply, “Better than yesterday, but worse than tomorrow!” Did you get it? That simply means that every day is better than the previous one. That’s the way we should live. Rather …
The Secret of Happiness: A Grateful Heart, Looking and Asking for what We Want
Richard looked into the eyes of his son and said, “If someone you knew were to give you a million dollars, and tell you to spend it anyway you want, what would be the first thing you would buy?” “That’s easy,” his son replied, “I’d buy a Thank You card!” After the performance, a little girl asked the concert violinist …
A Key to Happiness (Perhaps?)
(Information for this essay comes from the following books: “The Gift Of Giving” by Michael Lynberg and “When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough” by Harold Kushner) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Most of us are pleasure seekers…. in search of happiness. For example, we are …
Happiness: Make the best of everything
Happiness is a magic word and a magic state of mind. Everyone wants to be happy: young and old, rich and poor, successful or unsuccessful. Show me a person who does not want to be happy! The million dollar question is this: Who are the happiest people in the world? Is there a prescription for happiness? Let me try to …
H.A.P.P.I.N.E.S.S. Is not a Happenstance
Happiness is not a happenstance, not a coincidence. It is a state of being, our natural state, which is released when we shed our negative thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behavior. But how do we shed these impediments? The answer is by becoming the person we want to be. We can guide ourselves to becoming that person by asking ourselves three …