The Happiness Connection
You can't be impatient when it comes to learning patience
Recently, I’ve been reminded of what it’s like for many kids as Christmas approaches. It isn’t so bad in July, but as December arrives and the...
Puzzle your way to happiness and health
How many of the gifts you received in December of last year do you remember without having to pause to think? If you struggle to think of any, you’re not...
You don't have to rely on others for your own happiness
I’m not a huge fan of awards shows, but this year I tuned into the Grammys because I wanted to see Joni Mitchell. What a performance. If you’re...
To be happy learn to control what you can, not what you can't
Happiness is a funny thing. We all know we want it in our life, but it can be a tricky thing to define and possibly even harder to conjure up. Part of the...
How do you handle change in your life?
I do some of my best writing in coffee shops. I’m not sure what makes them such fertile environments for my thoughts, but they are. Perhaps it’s...
Ancient words for a modern age
When I was in university, several of my friends were philosophy majors. Their reason for choosing a degree in philosophy was a complete mystery to me. Why would...
Curiosity aids our mental health
Did you know that having a strong sense of curiosity is considered a sign of good mental health? When humans are born, they’re naturally inquisitive. You...
Ways to to experience a better Christmas
For the past few months, I’ve been carrying around a very specific idea about what my Christmas would be like this year. I was in England with my kids...
A new take on self-care
I recently ordered a beverage at my favourite coffee shop. When the barista asked me how my week was going, I paused and said it was a strange one. I’m...
A game for a happy brain
I have a very busy brain. That’s not a bad thing, but occasionally it can be a problem, especially when I get stuck in a loop of negative thinking. Does...
The power of talking to yourself in the third person
Distancing: make (someone or something) far off or remote in position or nature. — Oxford Languages Do you remember the first time you heard the term...
Smile: What to do when happiness eludes you
Castanet is happy welcome back columnist Reen Rose, our self-styled happiness maven, after her summer hiatus. Going forward her column will appear every second...
Happiness Connection columnist on hiatus
Reen Rose's is on hiatus until the fall. Her weekly column, The Happiness Connection, which appears every Sunday, will return then.
How kindness reduces wrinkles
I was reminded on recently when we were at Costco buying a storage shed, just how many kind people there are in our community. The box with the unassembled shed...
Nothing as tempting as temptation itself
I’m not sure how I attract, and am attracted to, men who have great metabolisms and can eat pretty much anything they want without gaining weight....
Don't measure yourself by the achievements of others
When I first started teaching in England, I loved the idea of school uniforms. I’d seen how cruel students could be about the clothes their classmates...
Why a shower helps solve some problems
In my last home I had an amazing shower. It was one of my favorite features in the entire house. I came to view it as a magic portal to clarity and creativity....
What every woman should know
On Facebook last week, I came across a post from my friend Pamela. She shared “What Every Woman Should Know” by author Pamela Redmond Satran. It...
Why we should embrace aging
Whatever the date on your birth certificate, there’s something we all share. We’re aging and that seems to be an easier process for some than...
The power of naming your emotions
Humans are programmed to pay more attention to problems than to the things that make them happy. It’s part of our drive to survive. In more primitive...