Most human beings have the ability to achieve happiness fairly quickly in life, and without enormous effort. Then why don’t we? Potholes We let negative emotions create potholes on a road which would otherwise be smooth. Envy, jealousy, and resentment: These are common human emotions, and cause uncommon suffering. A little soul? “Envy is a …
The Greeks knew a thing or two about philosophy. Sophia (Greek for wisdom) is a central tenet of their religion and philosophy. Wisdom, justice, fortitude, and temperance (or self-restraint) were the key virtues which the Greeks considered essential for the development of human character. Of these, wisdom was felt to be the master virtue, because …
Plato (c. 4th century BC), the Greek philosopher, spoke about four key virtues in his book, the Republic. Cardinal Virtues Wisdom, courage, moderation and justice, as described by Plato, are now called the four cardinal virtues in the Western world. It is felt that moral character is built on these foundations, and Western civilization has …
You are all packed up, and get on the plane with your family, headed for Hawaii. What is your number one thought as you get on board? Have lots of fun, right? Wrong. It is something much more basic, and so important that you take it for granted. And what is that? That the pilot …
“I think once the home mortgage is paid off, I’ll be happy.” “Wait a second, what about the kids? I think once they are married off, and well-settled in life, that’s when I think I can afford to be happy.” “Happy? Are you kidding me? I have to get that promotion before Jim does. Who …
“Wow, what a marvelous Lexus! I bought it 12 years ago!” When was the last time you had an ecstatic reaction like that on seeing your old Lexus, Mercedes, or Toyota? By now, it is just a car, which gets you from A to B. Truth be told, it was just a car the day …
If You Are So Smart, Why Do You Keep Buying Stuff? Read More »
“How much money is enough?” somebody once asked John D. Rockefeller. John was the first ever American billionaire, and was also the world’s richest man at one point. He is still considered by many to have been the richest man in modern history, because he was a billionaire in the early 1900s. “Just a little …
There is a law of holes. When you are in a hole, the first thing you need to do is to stop digging. The road to happiness and satisfaction is full of potholes. Some of them are tiny, and only make your car sink and jump a bit. Others can swallow you up, car and …
Wouldn’t you just love to have everything go your way? Your spouse does everything you want him or her to do, even before you express your wishes. Your boss gives you a raise before you can ask for it. The red traffic lights all turn to green just as you approach them, and traffic jams …
Okay, you can breathe out now! Most of us do not know how to breathe right. And that worsens stress and tension. But let us back up a little first. React already! Split-second decision making is the essential survival mechanism all human beings have been blessed with. Without it, the species would have died off …
Want to Control Your Anger? Learn How to Breathe! Read More »