Everyday gratitude: A path to happiness and well-being
In the hamster wheel of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of responsibilities, obligations and worries. We often focus on what we lack, what we need to achieve or what’s going wrong, inadvertently overlooking the abundance that surrounds us. Amidst the chaos, the practice of gratitude emerges as a beacon of light, guiding us towards a more fulfilling and joyful existence.
Gratitude is the simple yet profound act of acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of our lives. It’s about recognizing the good things, big and small, that we often take for granted. It’s about shifting our perspective from what’s lacking to what’s present, from what’s wrong to what’s right. Read more.
Happy zen holidays: Navigating family dynamics during the season of joy
In 1843, Charles Dickens penned “A Christmas Carol,” a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked greed and the transformative power of compassion. In his novella, Dickens captured the essence of a season that would forever straddle the line between light and darkness, between joy and angst.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and the holidays remain a potent cocktail of emotions, a pressure cooker where expectations bubble over and family dynamics simmer just below the surface.
When reconnecting with loved ones, it’s easy to fall into familiar patterns that can lead to the same disagreements you’ve encountered in the past. In fact, some conflicts may be so ingrained in your family that they seem as much a part of the holidays as your Aunt Mary’s fruitcake or the cousins’ gift exchange.
But while you can’t change other people’s behaviors, you can change your own. And it starts with anticipating these rough spots in advance. Read more.
Spreading the love this month
Many years ago when my wife and I were first married, we read a book called “Ways to Say I Love You to Those You Love the Most.” Written in the early internet days of 1994, and updated in 2006, the book contained simple suggestions for creating closeness in all kinds of relationships, whether with a romantic partner, friends or family.
This February, consider creative ways to celebrate the season of love with the people you cherish. Read more.
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