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Ten Important ‘Yes, Buts…’ of Happiness to Keep in Mind
By
Bill Cottringer
“The good ole days weren't always good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems.” ~Billy Joel.
The path to the most rewarding things in life always seem to be singular, but they do have some “yes, but…” side paths ... Views: 1025
What Causes Unhappiness? (And Why This Question is Important)
By
Bill Cottringer
“An unanswerable question: Are good vs. bad and fair vs. unfair dualistic, subjective judgments a human invention just to know one from the other, or do things actually have an innate positive vs. negative flavor ... Views: 4257
Life is coming at us so fast these days; it often takes all our attention and energy just to get through our waking hours. As a result we may find ourselves taking rote or unaware actions just to get through the massive amount of tasks we have planned. It’s a warrior’s challenge to ... Views: 992
Recently, browsing at Barnes and Noble bookstore, I noticed a number of books about happiness on display. Apparently, hearing "have a happy new year" hundreds of times in the first few weeks of January is not sufficient to bring it about.As I see it, there are two fundamental truths to ... Views: 748
If you were to write a list with all the things you need to be happy, what would you put on that list? While the list may vary from person to person, it is often interesting to see how many dependencies people put on happiness. Naturally, the answers will vary from a loving relationship to ... Views: 1234
Everyone searches for happiness. It is second only to peace of mind in importance for the people of our time. Happiness is elusive, and many of us have only caught glimpses of it over the years. Some of us have given up and decided that happiness is something that is simply not possible for ... Views: 10197
There are several things that you may be doing on a daily basis that are slowly bringing you results that hurt you long term. Here is a list of 5 things you may or may not be aware of that guarantee unhappiness.
1. Respecting Your Boss More Than Our Loved Ones
Some of us give our bosses, ... Views: 882
I was doing some Life Management work with a client and we started out talking about what was going well, what she was doing that was working and making her life better. She had accomplished a lot in a few short months. She had created some routines that changed the tone of her days, as well ... Views: 1233
"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Winston Churchill
When you notice your thoughts, which kind of thoughts predominate? Do you find yourself often thinking pessimistic thoughts such as:
I'll never get where I want to go. I'm a loser.I'm not smart enough to ... Views: 6143
Over the past few weeks, I have spoken to many friends and acquaintances who have been having bouts of classic sadness. I won’t call it depression, although I am sure some of them might be inclined to use that label. I’ve always been wary in using that word with my clients since it can easily be ... Views: 1552
Step One: Engage in self-reflection
I know — easier said than done. Most of us go through our lives never really getting to know ourselves. After all, life offers us many distractions. Who has time for self-reflection? The only way to to be happy after 40 is to get to know yourself really ... Views: 1196
I want to discuss a topic that is a little bit esoteric – not many people really know what I mean when I speak of “future-thinking”, but I wanted to explain because it has helped me so much that I feel I must. I’m not talking about literally predicting the future, ... Views: 1093
THE REST OF THE HAPPINESS STORY
By
Bill Cottringer
“Unhappiness is just the accumulation of an unwanted feeling arising from incorrect thoughts about and the anxiety of not being able to remove the source of the unhappiness and the increased unhappiness to which all this leads.” ~The Author.
... Views: 1180
Isn’t It Time To Agree Upon The Important Stuff—Doing What Matters Most?
By
Bill Cottringer
In making the long, bumpy and winding way home in my own reality repair journey, I have finally discovered answers to the two most important questions I imagine we all have. These are:
• What is ... Views: 1112
Recent findings show that as we get into our fifties and beyond, our happiness tends to increase. There are a number of factors that could contribute to this relationship.
Currently, the field of happiness has grown rapidly with many resources dealing with the subject, particularly the ... Views: 1073
This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Happiness. One can attain a life of true happiness by the enrichment of one's mind, character, and attitude through one's own efforts and positive thinking. Warren Wojnowski is the Official Guide to Happiness.
Wake Up Live the Life ... Views: 798
Happiness is a state of mind or feeling such as contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy. A variety of philosophical, religious, psychological and biological approaches have been taken to defining happiness and identifying its sources.
Philosophers and religious thinkers have often defined ... Views: 1475
It is another snowy day and as I sit looking out my picture window, I watch the fluffy flakes settle onto the ground and nestle in the branches of the trees…the bright red colour of the cardinals is a spectacular sight against the white backdrop…there is a peace and stillness evidenced by the ... Views: 1874
21 EASY WAYS TO HAVE MORE PEACE OF MIND, HEART & SOUL
By
Bill Cottringer
A worthy growth goal and improvement strategy, which builds a valuable sense of general wellness that leads to more success, is to carry out an action plan to give your mind, heart and soul more peace. Hear are 21 ... Views: 5656
SHORTCUT TO HAPPINESS
By
Bill Cottringer
“Happiness is merely what you get from doing what you do to get it.” ~The author, not being facetious.
Or put another way…
Shortcut to Happiness
Want more happiness?
Slow down & do less,
Unload the overload;
Listen to what you want,
Hear what you ... Views: 1028
My clients frequently ask me how they can find happiness. While there are many elements that create happiness, I've noticed that a basic characteristic of people who are happy is healthy self-awareness.
Self-awareness refers to a deep understanding of who we are and what makes us tick. It ... Views: 1887
Why is what you THINK you want a lie?
I bet some of you are thinking “Who is she to tell me what I want is a lie? She doesn’t even know me.” Well, read on…
This exercise works best on paper, though you can do it your head as well… Grab a sheet of paper and ... Views: 1591
Ah the struggle. Certainly we have all, at one time or another experienced “the struggle”. Regardless of age, race, sex, religion or socio-economic status, everyone has experienced “the struggle”. Like good and bad angels on either shoulder pulling us in opposite directions, we are torn. Many ... Views: 1886
We are all concerned with the wellness of our body, mind and spirit. In fact, there isn’t a day that goes by without at least one client asking me what they can do to become more healthy. I explain to them that there are many ways to become healthier and happier but the easiest way is to give ... Views: 1115
It doesn't matter how many times you have heard the saying "Money doesn't buy happiness" how many of us still go ahead as if it is the answer to all of our dreams? Everything around us, in the media and almost everywhere you go, shouts out this message until we become convinced that only when we ... Views: 1435
Imagine a stream running gently through all of creation. It surges in places moving faster with more excitement and then slows to a serene place now and again. The current of this stream is filled with all manner of gifts, blessings, good feelings, exciting times and wonderful people to interact ... Views: 1357
This is a time to look inside, to take stock of my blessings, and move forward into new and exciting things to come. One of the biggest shifts in my life in the last several years has been that I now do this assessment in a different way.
Like a lot of my clients, I used to focus on my ... Views: 1509
It always feels like a let down after the holidays. People spend months and weeks preparing for this time of year, and then after the gifts are opened and family goes back home, you can feel a bit sad.
Depression can hit you any time of year, but this time of year makes your emotions feel a ... Views: 1391
Recent findings show that as we get into our fifties and beyond, our happiness tends to increase. There are a number of factors that could contribute to this relationship.
Currently, the field of happiness has grown rapidly with many resources dealing with the subject, particularly the ... Views: 1116
The scene of sitting in a cafe by yourself watching others in groups or as a couple can be painful. Often we wonder what is wrong with me and why am I alone. This is not just a dating situation it can be even the search for good friends.We are all inter-connected and desire human contact. The ... Views: 2917
This might be a tough one to understand. You may be asking yourself; don’t content and satisfied mean the same thing? Not really.
Contentment is something we should all be striving for. To be content, as far as I’m concerned, is to be able to be happy in the life you’re living; to have the ... Views: 18488
It's January, a time that many people, hoping to improve their lives, make New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately experts say that in less than a month the majority of those resolutions will already be broken.
So why not completely skip the resolutions and create a "lights on" vision for 2009 ... Views: 682
Are you happy? Have you actually made the decision to be happy in your life?
Do you have fun living your life each day? Are you having fun living your life today, right now? If not, why not?
Wouldn’t it be terrific to wake up in the morning full of gratitude for the opportunity to live a ... Views: 9278
Of course you want to be happy, but life is hard. Your job's a pain, your family nags, and sometimes your body hurts, so how can a Joyful Life be a choice? It isn't an easy choice, but Joy IS a choice that you can make.
Some choices are easy, because clearly defined alternatives are available. ... Views: 2151
Did you ever try to remember details about past holidays and find that they all blur together? When I noticed this, I realized it was partly because my family celebrated exactly the same way every year. More importantly, I recognized my tendency to become less mindful as I got caught up in ... Views: 1257
They say happiness is an elusive thing. You do not exactly look for it or chase it. Being happy is on of the greatest emotions a human being can experience. It is an exhilarating feeling of being alive, an invigorating lift of the spirits. A laughter that elicits the joys of rejoicing. ... Views: 773
For most people, the search for happiness is neverending. But what most of us don't realize is that happiness is an art, and knowing how to become happy means knowing yourself too.
Is Happiness Found in Things?
You might initially think of all kinds of experiences. Music makes you happy, money ... Views: 1394
The happy friend is a lifesaver who can bring you up when feeling down. The importance of happy friends is critical to your happiness. There is powerful energy in the moods of people. The mood basically relates to energy, it is an energy that can be felt but not seen. How many times have we felt ... Views: 1836
Happiness has many levels. It begins with feeling good about yourself; feeling positive expectation as you explore the possibilities which life has to offer you for your personal growth and expansion. It is about experiencing new and meaningful realities that make you feel good about who you ... Views: 4262
Life is now, yet, I wait for it to come. Life is now, yet, I wait for happiness to come later. And later never ends. I decided, therefore, that later is now and life is now to enjoy right now, not later.
When you go in the past you lose the present. When you go in the future you also lose the ... Views: 653
With all of the bad things happening in our country right now (the stock market crashing, the banks and mortgage companies failing, jobs being lost, you know what I mean) I was thinking how many people out there are effected negatively by this? As a people, are we generally less happy when our ... Views: 1138
"Transitions are good and I hate them," I said only half-jokingly to a dear friend a few years ago.
I love my life these days. I'm happily married, doing work that's meaningful to me, and living on the water.
But I never would have gotten to this point without making my way through many ... Views: 875
Romance fills our thoughts, our dreams, the movies we watch, and the songs we listen to. And why not? Romance is the very essence of life. It is the celebration love.
Typically, we expect romance to come from a partner, a lover, or a significant other. Wanting to love and be loved is ... Views: 1525
Have you ever been lonely in a roomful of people?
Have you ever been perfectly content all alone?
Most people would answer yes to both questions
and yet a number of the same people complain of painful
chronic loneliness. What is loneliness?
Why are some people troubled with it so much ... Views: 3203
I am writing this in the UK. Here we cannot escape the fact that there is an election going on in the USA. It is all over our televisions and newspapers. Both candidates talk about money, the credit crunch, the state of the stock market. They also look at moral issues such as abortion and make ... Views: 1815
Let's mirror depression and happiness and learn the simple truth underlying them both. Scientists know far less about positive emotions than they do about negative emotions and stress. But researchers have in recent years recorded remarkable results.
A team of researchers at the University of ... Views: 2731
We all want to be happy, but something always gets in the way. There is never enough time... or money. Somebody is always failing to do what they are "supposed" to do... or not do. Our boss, our spouse, our kids, our parents, our friends, government, big business, whoever... "They" aren't doing ... Views: 17092
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Steps:
Have a conversation in which you help each other recall examples of synchronous events or meaningful coincidences in your life. In particular, identify the good things that both happened to you and in which you also actively participated. Scenarios of such ... Views: 685
“It’s the simplest of math: Big fish tanks grow big fish; little fish tanks grow little fish....”
"You can't catch fish unless you put your line in the water. You can't reach your goals if you don't try." ~ Kathy Seligman
As I was planning for one of my workshops, the “fish tank” metaphor ... Views: 1590
Emotions are normal. They aren't right or wrong, they just ARE. We feel them in response to things that happen to us. The type of emotion we feel depends on the kind of experience we've had.
The problem with emotions is that often we carry around old emotions from past experiences. We're ... Views: 3118