Category Archives: Happiness

The best thing one can do when it is raining

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“The best thing one can do when it is raining is to let it rain.”

—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 19th Century American Poet and Professor

Image from Unsplash by Ben Wicks

Today’s nugget of wisdom embodies a philosophy of acceptance and resilience, embracing life’s inevitable challenges without resistance.

Instead of fighting life’s storms, Longfellow chooses to flow with them, illustrating a mindset that likely contributed to his long life.

His approach encourages us to accept difficulties calmly and adaptively, reducing stress and fostering greater peace of mind.

In a world often obsessed with control, Longfellow’s wisdom reminds us that sometimes, surrendering to circumstances can be the healthiest path.

Letting the rain fall — literally and metaphorically — might be a key to enduring vitality and happiness.

EXERCISE:

How often do you find yourself fighting with the rainy days of your life?

Take a few minutes to watch this uplifting clip from the movie “Singing in the Rain” with Gene Kelly to shift your perspective on at least some of the downpours in your days.

Enjoy your precious time while you’re here

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Enjoy your precious time while you’re here.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Luke Chesser

Today’s quote is a simple yet profound reminder that captures the essence of living fully in the moment.

It emphasizes that life is not just about achieving goals but embracing the journey with purpose and presence.

Time — our most valuable asset — once spent cannot be reclaimed. To truly thrive, we must align our daily actions with what matters most, cultivating meaning and significance beyond fleeting success.

Coaching is about breaking patterns and creating new worlds where you deepen learning and enhance your quality of life. We do this by honoring our time, by being fully engaged, appreciating the now, and investing in what truly enriches our life and the lives of others.

EXERCISE:

Consider exploring The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin as a personal experiment in applying happiness research to everyday life.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you

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“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

—Lewis B. Smedes, 20th Century Christian author, ethicist, theologian

Image from Unsplash by Alex Shute

Today’s quote reminds us that holding on to anger and resentment traps us in a cycle of pain.

Forgiveness isn’t about excusing the wrongdoing or forgetting the hurt.

It’s about releasing the heavy burden that weighs down our hearts and minds.

When we forgive, we break free from the chains of bitterness, allowing ourselves to heal and grow. It’s a gift not only to others but, most importantly, to ourselves.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life can you tap into the power of forgiveness?

What actions can and will you take today to open the doors to greater peace, happiness and personal freedom?

 

Gratitude wakes us up to the beauty and good things in life

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Gratitude wakes us up to the beauty and good things in life. We need to choose its light over and over again especially when things seem dark.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Donald Giannatti

Focusing on the good things in life offers numerous benefits for mental, emotional and physical health.

Gratitude and positive thinking are linked to lower rates of depression, reduced stress, and greater resistance to illness, contributing to our overall well-being.

They enhance resilience and coping strategies during hardships, improving mood and reducing toxic thoughts.

By focusing on being grateful, we can re-wire our brains to detect and appreciate good experiences more readily, counteracting the frequent negative bias we often demonstrate.

EXERCISE:

Consider starting each day this week with a gratitude reflection before getting out of bed.

Compliment this effort by using a gratitude journal before bed to lighten and brighten your world and the world of those around you.

Attention doesn’t scale

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“Attention doesn’t scale, no matter how hard we try.”

—Seth Godin, American author and a former dot-com business executive

Image from Unsplash by Luis Villasmil

In our fast-paced world we often try to multitask and divide our attention, believing we can scale our focus across multiple priorities.

Unfortunately, our attention doesn’t scale, no matter how hard we try.

When we spread ourselves thin, we dilute the quality of our presence and engagement.

Deep, meaningful connections and breakthroughs occur when we give our undivided attention to one task, one person, or one moment at a time.

By embracing the power of focus you unlock your full potential and create space for innovation, growth, and genuine human connection.

Remember, it’s not about doing more, but about being fully present in what you do.

EXERCISE:

What are the costs of spreading your time and attention too thin?

Where would greater focus on fewer things be a more optimal approach to a happier, more productive and meaningful life?

 

What the new year brings to you will depend

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“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”

—Vern McLellan, author, speaker, broadcaster, and musician

Image from Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema

Charles Lamb is known for saying “New Years Day is every man’s birthday.”

To celebrate we get a fresh start and a “do over” if there are regrets about the year gone by.

Although this is a man-made point in time to begin again, why not use it since everyone else is on the same page and expects it?

To bring a new you to the new year, consider the wisdom of Tuli Kupferberg’s statement: ”When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.”

EXERCISE:

What new worlds do you want to emerge?

What new patterns will you bring to the new year to realize this new world for yourself and others in your communities?

“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”

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“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”

—George Washington, First President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Library of Congress

George Washington believed that moral duty was intrinsically linked to human happiness.

He emphasized that promoting happiness requires the practice of moral duty, suggesting that virtue and ethical conduct are essential for individual and societal well-being.

Washington also stressed the importance of private morality, asserting that it is foundational to public policy and the nation’s direction.

His views reflect a belief in immutable moral principles, which he saw as critical for the prosperity and stability of the republic.

EXERCISE:

What are your views about the correlation between happiness and moral duty? Consider discussing your perspective with others within your communities to help foster a happier and more virtuous world.

“What gets better as we age?”

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“What gets better as we age?”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Dmitry Mashkin

In the years following my dad’s passing, I’ve developed a far greater interest in the subject of aging.

Although there are many reasons to see these years as ones of decline from our younger selves, there is still plenty of evidence that numerous areas of life tend to improve, including:

  • Happiness and Well-Being: older adults often experience greater life satisfaction and emotional stability, with reduced stress from the responsibilities of raising children and work.
  • Self Confidence: many older individuals become more comfortable in their own skin, embracing their true selves without the need for external validation.
  • Wisdom and Decision-Making: tend to improve through the accumulation of life experiences and more thoughtful informed choices.
  • Empathy and the ability to more deeply understand the emotions and experiences of others tend to improve, like a fine wine with time.

EXERCISE:

How can you see yourself as getting better — not just older — with each passing day?  How might greater mindfulness and self-awareness of the aging process help you experience a richer, more fulfilling life?

How can we get to that place where there is no place to get to

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“How can we get to that place where there is no place to get to? In the presence of wanting, it is difficult to be happy.”

—Helen Schucman, 20th Century American Clinical Psychologist and Author

Image from Unsplash by Surface

Today’s quote is often attributed to Rumi, but actually originated from “A Course in Miracles,” written by Helen Schucman.

It is difficult for many of us to stand still and be content with where we are and what we have.

Perhaps our hunter-gatherer ancestors ingrained in us the need to venture out and seek what we don’t have, or think we need.

EXERCISE:

Where and how might you discover many more miracles about life without ever leaving home?

“Optimism is man’s passport to a better tomorrow.”

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“Optimism is man’s passport to a better tomorrow.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Miki Fath

If the idea Thoughts Become Things is true, being an optimist seems like a pretty good way to manifest a good life.

Consider the half full versus the half empty people in your life.

Who do you prefer to be around and what other people and things seem to be attracted to them?

Explore your family gatherings and the people with whom you work.

Which people light you up or pour cold water on your world?

EXERCISE:

The books Learned Optimism, and Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, PhD are two excellent resources to expand your optimism to lead you and others to many better tomorrows.