Tag Archives: happiness

Reality Check: Connecting with others

Have you noticed changes in your relationships over these past few weeks? With the requirements and warnings to stay away from people—to literally isolate ourselves—we’re no longer getting together for in-person gatherings. Perhaps you’re accustomed to dropping in for a … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Forest, the Trees and the Path

Bad news, or the fear of bad news, can take a lot of our energy. Does that matter? I think so. And it’s not just the selfish sentiment of, “I feel better when I’m happy” kind of mattering, either. The … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Recognizing Our Gifts

We are free to give gifts at any time of the year. However, whether because of social convention, family expectations, or faith-based convictions, gift-giving is more extensive at this time of year. Some folks find the whole gift-giving process stressful. … Continue reading

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Love in Action

Different people want different things. It’s a good thing too, isn’t it? Otherwise, we’d all want the same house, the same job, the same cat, and…the same mate. Some folks believe that somewhere out there is a perfect partner, made … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Joy:Cost Ratio

There’s a little guy who occasionally passes by my office door. Whenever he does, he exclaims, “I’ve got my thinking cat on!” It’s adorable. No matter how busy or stressed or distracted I am, I get pure joy for those … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Joy of Ownership

The other day, while I was picking up trash by the roadside, I pondered the things that one tends to ponder while picking up trash by the roadside. For example, I pondered, “Why would anyone throw their trash on the … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Choosing to Find Joy in the Process

For a little over a year, I’ve had an orchid sitting on my table. It’s a tiny plant in a tiny purple pot. When it was given to me, it was in full bloom. The blooms lasted for what seemed … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Happiness Benefit

Does happiness benefit happy people? Or is it the benefits that happy people have that cause their happiness? It’s the happiness version of the chicken and egg question; which comes first: the happiness or the benefits? For example, a happy … Continue reading

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Reality Check: The Gift of Recognition

When you flip through the flyers, watch TV, or even read a newspaper at this time of year, you’ll see gift suggestions. There’s lots of opportunity to show that you care by buying something. As I was pondering gift-shopping, some … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Choosing Happiness from your Money

There are many more important things than money: health, family, relationships, personal growth, just to name a few. Money isn’t even mentioned in the choice theory list of five basic needs: security/survival, love/belonging, power, freedom, and fun. However, while money … Continue reading

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