Happiness demands that we confront negative feelings head-on, without letting them overwhelm. Real life is full of disappointments, loss and inconveniences. To live a rich and meaningful life, we must allow ourselves a full range of emotions. Otherwise life is just a struggle against reality. Negative states are as important as positive, they help cue us into what we value and what we need to change. Grief for a loved one reminds us how much we cherish our relationships. Frustration with several jobs in a row is a sign we’re in the wrong career. Without the contrast of darkness, there is no light.
posted on 11-21-11 at 7:25 am in Fall
Use any cooked grain you like. Feel free to use low-fat cottage cheese or sour cream if you prefer. The star of this dish are the nutrient dense mushrooms. 1/2 lb brown mushrooms, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 cups cooked brown rice, room temperature 2 large eggs 1 cup [Read More...]
tags: mushrooms 
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posted on 11-14-11 at 7:25 am in Relationships
In a Northwestern University study, those who believed that their partners encouraged their “ideal achievements” reported higher marital satisfaction – and it wasn’t just about helping him become a rock star or her a top doctor. When a partner felt supported even in daily obligations, he or she was significantly happier in their relationship.
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posted on 11-12-11 at 2:49 pm in Emotions
I recently came across this amazing lecture by Brene Brown that I can not recommend enough. Weaving humor, insight and compassion she speaks bravely about the power of vulnerability. http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
tags: Emotions, Relationships, shame Post a Comment {0}
posted on 11-07-11 at 7:00 am in Mindfulness : Relationships
The word “compassion” comes from the Latin word compati, which means “to suffer with”. Probably the best-known definition is that of the Dalai Lama who defined compassion as “a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others, with a deep commitment to try to relieve it. In other words, sensitive attention-awareness plus motivation. In the [Read More...]
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posted on 10-24-11 at 7:11 am in Happiness 101
Time skews our perceptions of happiness. Take the the way parents look back warmly on their children’s preschool years as an example. A Princeton study found that childcare ranked very low on the list of what makes people happy, below napping and watching TV. And, yet, if you were to step back and evaluate a decade of your [Read More...]
tags: awareness, integrity Post a Comment {0}
posted on 10-10-11 at 7:20 am in Relationships
Men who slept better at night were more likely to feel positive about their relationship the following day, according to a recent study. And couples who reported the highest quality and hours of sleep per night also had the happiest unions. Sometimes this requires creativity. Nose strips not working on your sweet snorer? Try wearing ear plugs. [Read More...]
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posted on 10-06-11 at 6:38 am in Inspirational
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. [Read More...]
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posted on 09-26-11 at 7:08 am in Happiness 101
You can increase positive feelings by incorporating a few proven practices into your routine. Try expressing your gratitude toward someone in a letter or in a weekly journal, visualize the best possible future for yourself once a week, and perform acts of kindness for others on a regular basis to lift your mood in the [Read More...]
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posted on 09-09-11 at 7:16 am in Relationships
In a study of more than 100 American couples, those who reported “being in a rut” during their seventh year of marriage also showed low satisfaction in year sixteen. Those who were not bored in year seven were still going strong nine years later. Researchers said the couples who pursued exciting activities together were more [Read More...]
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