No matter how much we try, life doesn't always turn out the way we'd like it to. And that's OK. That's life. That's reality. But that doesn't mean we still can't enjoy happiness (and a good life). In fact, REAL happiness inevitably involves finding ways...
In January this year (2023) I received an email that quite literally changed my life; but that’s a topic for another time. For now, I’ll just note that the email described an opportunity to travel, to Bhutan, as part of a contingent to learn more...
Experiencing awe is awesome! Awe is one of the lesser recognised positive emotions that is similar to happiness but also different. Happiness can be experienced and enjoyed in different ways, one of which is appreciating the wonders of the world. And that's where happiness and...
Enjoying happiness is not always easy (at least it's not for some of us). But enjoying happiness need not be overly complicated. Simplifying what it means and what it takes to create happiness may well be one of the more effective happiness strategies! And these...
One of the greatest myths about happiness, and there are many, is that happiness equates to or requires selfishness. This couldn't be further from the truth! Happiness, and I mean REAL happiness, is NOT selfishness; if it's anything it's kindness and caring and generosity and...
To some extent, we all have worrying thoughts. But for some of us, worrying or ruminating thoughts can be very intense and highly problematic. Worrying thoughts are associated with anxiety and stress, depression and almost all forms of mental ill-health. So if one's goal is...
Positive thinking has, in some form or other, been around for decades (or even longer). Even real optimism, as in the science-backed version of positive thinking, has been studied and taught for longer than I've been alive. There are similarities. But there are differences. And...
So many of us spend so much time trying to be useful; to achieve and make our marks. And that's great. The life we know wouldn't be the same if people didn't strive for success and progress and more. But at the same time, some...
Are we too careful? Too "civilised" and cautious and too used to the comforts of modern life? For almost all of our history and evolution, humans have lived in and with nature. And now, in recent years, we spend most of our time indoors, staring...
We all want happiness. To be happy, in a real and authentic way, is quite possibly the ultimate goal. But it's absolutely true to note that we can't be happy ALL the time. Happiness is not constant; and unhappiness is a normal and appropriate part...