Software Upgrade
What if you inherited a machine that was guaranteed to make you happy, but you had no idea how to operate it? What would...Read More »
Author: The Pacific Institute
Hopes and Wishes and Goals, Oh My!
How is a goal different from a wish or hope? First of all, let's look at how they are similar. Each one is a good thing ...Read More »
Anger and Violence
Driving in to work today, it was probably easy to notice that there are a lot of angry people out there. Angry adults, u...Read More »
Model Children & Responsible Adults
Do you know any parents who are determined to raise model children? Let’s hope not, because sometimes, a model child i...Read More »
Final Thought on Happiness
Has anyone ever told you it was wrong to feel proud of yourself or to be too happy? In light of all that we have learned...Read More »
The Intersection of Only and Forever – Part 2
This week we've been digging deeper into the subject of "happiness" - what it is, how to define it, and the different wa...Read More »
The Intersection of Only and Forever – Part 1
For the last couple of days, we delved into how the ancient Greeks - Plato in particular - looked at the subject of "hap...Read More »
In Search of Happiness – Part 2
Today, we continue our examination of happiness. Yesterday, we got an overview of the Greek philosopher Plato's first tw...Read More »
In Search of Happiness – Part 1
Human beings have been grappling with the concept of happiness since, well, the beginning. Once we could put a name to t...Read More »
The Idea of Being Free
A lot of us grew up with the notion that we are free people, able to choose where we live, what we do for a living, and ...Read More »
Respecting the Inner Child
Over the years, it's become somewhat of a cliché to "get in touch with" our inner child. It's giving ourselves permissi...Read More »
Keeping Charge Over Your Life
What does a sense of having control over your life have to do with successful aging?
When we enter this later phase ...Read More »
The World Around Us
To some extent, each of us is affected by the environment around us. But, when your happiness depends on what goes on ar...Read More »
The Next Three Feet
Did you know that the secret to success could be summed up in one word? No? Well, read on.
For over 45 years, we hav...Read More »
Getting Tough, Being Tough
Is there anything good about bad times? It is very difficult to look at the massive destruction in the wake of earthquak...Read More »
Finding Happiness
Everyone wants to be happy, but not everyone knows how to go about getting there. Today, let's talk about a couple of wa...Read More »
Reflected Behaviors
Have you heard it said, that the things you see and dislike in others are things you probably dislike about yourself?
...Read More »
Getting Un-Comfortable
It has been said that people can get used to almost anything. If it happens gradually over time and in small enough incr...Read More »
Guides Along the Way
Who do you listen to? Who do you allow to guide your growth and development? Today, let's talk about the value of good g...Read More »
The Placebo Effect
What does the sugar pill have in common with potential? More than you might think.
A placebo, sometimes called a suga...Read More »
The Value of Touch in Caring Relationships
Have you hugged your kids today? This isn't just "bumper sticker" philosophy. Today, let's talk about the importance of ...Read More »
Heart, Brains, Courage & the Power of Belief
Have you ever thought of "The Wizard of Oz" as a story about the power of beliefs? With the holidays fast approaching, i...Read More »
Flavoring the Day Ahead
Do you know that the words you use are not only a reflection of your attitudes, but that the words you choose can also c...Read More »
You, First
If you are interested in pursuing personal growth, does this necessarily mean you are a selfish person? Today, let's loo...Read More »
The Mindset of Is
Have you ever heard of the concept of "is-ness?" "Is-ness" is not a term that you are likely to see in a textbook. (Ther...Read More »
Smile and Change the World
From a sign in a store window: "Let Your Smile Change the World. Don't Let the World Change Your Smile." A sage piece of...Read More »