Managing Expectations for Greater Happiness
Have you ever heard the saying “happiness equals reality minus expectations”? It is true that expectations have a significant impact on our happiness. We are happier when reality is aligned
Be Happy in Spite of
People are often surprised to hear that we get happier as we age. It seems like a paradox, because old age is filled with aches and pains and losses. But
The Best Gift is to Give
As I was checking out of a hotel a few days ago, the receptionist asked me to wait a minute because she couldn’t find the charge for my parking.
Summertime Smiles
Summertime makes me happy, and I bet many of you feel the same way. I prefer warm weather to cold weather, so that’s one reason why I like summer
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
One of the best things you can do to increase your happiness is to stop making social comparisons. I realize this is easier said than done. We are social creatures
Stop Trying to Be Happy
We are obsessed with being happy. I just googled “how to be happy” and got 613,000,000 results. I admit that I share plenty of articles about happiness on
Increase Happiness by Savoring the Past
I have written a number of blogs about how mindfulness or paying attention to the present moment can increase happiness. Becoming more mindful has been especially helpful to me because
People Matter
Your relationships are one of the most important factors affecting your happiness. Being around people reduces our stress and increases our joy. People give us help and emotional support. This
Don't Dwell on the Past
In my last blog I talked about how focusing too much on the future can make us unhappy because it often leads to anxiety. Another source of unhappiness comes from
Avoid Anxiety by Staying in the Now
I have never seen the link between mindfulness and happiness as clearly as I have this summer. In May we sold our house, packed up our belongings, and sent them
Saying Goodbye with Gratitude
The movers are coming tomorrow. I think I’m ready. But it is so hard to say goodbye! I could easily have spent the last three months wallowing in the
Realize your Strengths
According to Alex Linley, “realizing our strengths is the smallest thing we can do to make the biggest difference”. Using our strengths makes us happy and is the surest way
Boost Positivity with Spring Cleaning
Our annual church rummage sale was this weekend and I always look forward to it because it motivates me to do spring cleaning. I go through all our closets and
It's OK to Ask
I was raised in the South where we were taught that it’s not nice to ask for things. If I got thirsty while playing with my friends in the
Discover Your Path to Happiness
Studies have identified many strategies for increasing positivity, yet there is no one true path to happiness. Research shows that different individuals benefit from different strategies. So in order to
Oprah Gets it!
The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired yesterday. Oprah spent the hour talking about what she has learned over the last 25 years from all of the people
Want to be Happy? Get Off the Couch!
Positive psychology recognizes that it takes work to be happy. Improvements in well-being often require efforts that are not immediately rewarding. Doing something that gives you pleasure can increase the
Dare to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T.S. Eliot Human beings are creatures of habit. Change makes us nervous,
Experiencing Meaning at Work
“The job of leadership today is not just to make money, it’s to make meaning.” – John Seely Brown People seek meaning in their lives; they want to feel like
How to be Happy
Small positive actions can add up to make a big difference in the happiness you feel. Below is a video that covers a whole list of little things that you
Better Together
Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. ~ Swedish Proverb I’m going to my college reunion next week. I won’t tell you how many
Money Can Buy Happiness?
Most studies of the link between money and happiness have shown that money does not buy happiness. Americans are no happier today than they were in 1940 and we certainly
Amigos + Familia = Felicidad
When I lived in Spain one thing that really caught my attention were the close relationships that Spaniards maintain with their friends and family. You see it everywhere. At the
Mindfulness with Nature’s Help
I have mentioned before what a challenge it is for me to be mindful. I just feel like there is too much I need to get done to not be
What Determines Positivity Levels?
When I’m talking to people about all of the amazing benefits of positivity, inevitably someone says “Sounds great, but what about the people who aren’t positive? I definitely