I’ll admit it – I’ve had iPhone envy since they came out a couple of years ago. I’ve had the minimalist cell phone for what seems like forever. I’ve always liked gadgets, so that made the iPhone all the more tempting. My studies of Buddhism, mindfulness, the psychology of happiness and well-being and so…
As I posted before, I’ve really gotten into audiobooks…and I think this is a transition for me that is here to stay. I’m going through books faster than I ever have before and feel like I’m retaining as much or more than I do when I read. I’m listening to the unabridged version (I…
A client of mine told me about this wonderful podcast called “Radiolab“: www.radiolab.org. It’s now my favorite. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich entertainingly tackle such juicy topics as: Choice Morality Mortality Memory & Forgetting Time Space This is a podcast through an NPR affiliate in New York – WNYC. The production values are…
Another favorite saying that I hear and use a lot is, “It is what it is.” This seemingly obvious statement holds great power if we can learn to accept the reality of its meaning and use it strategically. It neatly captures the essence of other things about which I’ve written. Simply put, there are…
In my previous post, I discussed the importance of accepting the fact that an inescapable reality of life is that we suffer. I am not endorsing that we should just throw in the towel and give up when confronted with challenges and suffering. We should not just say to ourselves, “Ah, this is my…
The first of the “Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism is that “Life is Suffering.” I always thought that “life is suffering” sounded so pessimistic. Sure, part of life is suffering but part of life is joyful too. Couldn’t the Noble Truth instead be “Life is Joyful”? Again, I’m not a Buddhist, but I really…
This is a continuation of my last post on the importance of social relationships. So, if you haven’t read that, then it might be best to start there. Let’s start with this premise: if you agree that social relationships are critical to one’s happiness, then it makes sense to spend some effort to develop,…
We all have the psychology needs for power and control. The perception that we have power and control helps us to feel happy. It is critical our sense of well-being to believe this. When we don’t think that we have control, it can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety…feelings of being trapped or…
I’ve been listening to a presentation from a psychology conference by Dr. Peter Fraenkel on “Living the Overstuffed Life” in which he discusses the negative effects associated with our busy work lives. I felt a little guilty as I listened to his lecture on my Ipod while jogging since I was trying to stuff…