Tag Archives: happiness

Reality Check: Barriers to Happiness

To start this New Year, I’m choosing to focus on happiness. For some time now, I’ve been interested in the question of why some people are happy while others are not. As I’ve studied this question, I’ve found books, articles, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Dances with Feelings

When it comes to feelings, do you lead? Follow? Or just try to get out of their way? You may remember, “If it feels good, do it.” That slogan came with a prevailing “wisdom” that it’s not only OK for … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Velcro or Teflon?

According to psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, knowledge from neuroscience, positive psychology, and contemplative practices can be connected to help people develop greater contentment, resilience to stress, and peace of mind. In “Just One Thing,” (Hanson’s newsletter) he offers practical suggestions … Continue reading

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Reality Check: What Does Love & Support Look Like?

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so along with eating heart-shaped candies and buying heart-shaped jewellery, it seems like an appropriate time to think about love. What does love and support look like to you? If you buy into some … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Presents and Presence

How have you spent your December? Indeed, “spent” may be the appropriate word, as folks have been rushing around the malls, the stores, and on-line, shopping for those perfect gifts. As this traditional season of giving comes to a close, … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Habit-Forming

It’s commonly said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. It’s tempting to believe that if you rigidly adhere to a new behaviour for a set number of days, then it magically becomes engrained in you. You … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Engagement as an Employability Skill

Skills such as getting along with others, overcoming shyness, and developing a willingness to learn can help us get and keep employment. I’ve been referring to these as “employability skills.” Even if you don’t care deeply about your workplace, such … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Building Emotional Resources

What comes to mind when you think of resources? There are natural resources—forests, fresh water, and minerals. There are financial resources—money in the bank and those toonies in your pocket. Companies refer to human resources—employees with skills and knowledge who … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Their Good News

How do you respond when someone tells you their good news? In his book Flourish, Martin Seligman describes four ways of responding, and suggests that only one of those ways is helpful for relationship building. Let’s look at an example. … Continue reading

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Reality Check: Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is often associated with money. You already know that money isn’t everything, so let’s try looking at retirement planning from a choice theory perspective. According to choice theory, we all have a set of basic needs: survival, love … Continue reading

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