Tag Archives | happiness

The Life Reports

By on December 5, 2011 in life management

David Brooks, columnist for the New York Times, is undertaking a project he calls “Life Reports.”  In late October, Brooks asked his readers over 70 years old to write reports about their lives, focusing on career, family, faith, community, and self-knowledge and then to give themselves a grade in each area.  Since then he has been publishing some of the reports on his blog and has written several follow-up columns about the project.

Continue Reading →

Comments { 1 }

Being Thankful

By on November 24, 2011 in life management

On Thanksgiving it is traditional to list the things for which one is most thankful. But as I think about those things, what strikes me most is how lucky I am. Lucky to be born of caring, supportive parents, lucky to be born in a part of the world that is economically and politically stable, lucky to be afforded an education before I was old enough to appreciate the value of an education.

Each of us can be proud of our accomplishments and our relationships, the things we have worked hardest for in our lives.  But this Thanksgiving it seems appropriate to also honor luck and the role it plays in providing the circumstances we need to find success.

Today at the dinner table I will toast my good luck.  Then I will hug my family, tell them how much I love them, and call all my friends and thank them for being a part of my life.

Here’s to good luck!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Comments { 0 }

Less Stuff…More Happiness!

By on November 1, 2011 in time management

Here is a great TED Talk by Graham Hill.  Graham makes the case that having less stuff, in less room will lead to more happiness in your life.

This talk really resonated with me…maybe because I have too much stuff and I’m trying to get rid of a lot of it.  But I think there are several broad societal factors that make this message meaningful to nearly all of us.

  • Environmental Impact – We are all far more aware of the impact we are having on the environment with our consumption-oriented consumer culture.
  • Time Management – Having lots of stuff demands lots of time to use, organize, buy, and maintain that stuff.  Time has become more important than stuff.
  • Low Economic Growth – The freewheeling, debt-driving consumer culture of the last 20 years is quickly coming to an end.  Now we make purchasing decisions with more care and introspection.
I hope you enjoy this talk as much as I did.

Comments { 0 }