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The Happiness Connection

Back to old relationship habits

Back to old relationship habits

May 1, 2022 / 11:00 am

When the pandemic first started, there was a lot of speculations about the effect lockdown would have on marriages and committed relationships. Many experts...

Dealing with the impact of both busyness and boredom

Dealing with the impact of both busyness and boredom

Apr 24, 2022 / 11:00 am

This year the Easter weekend snuck up on me. That isn’t unusual. I struggle to keep track of the days of the week, so it makes sense that long weekends,...

Good fences make good neighbours

Good fences make good neighbours

Apr 17, 2022 / 11:00 am

When I first moved into my house, I had the back yard landscaped. I have what’s known as a bare land strata. I own my house and surrounding property, but...

Growing together not apart

Growing together not apart

Apr 10, 2022 / 11:00 am

Knowing others is intelligence. Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. Lao Tzu Research supports the...

The human brain can fill in what we don't see

The human brain can fill in what we don't see

Apr 3, 2022 / 11:00 am

I had a strange experience this week. It’s one that I’m sure many people can relate to. A little over a year ago, I had my first appointment with a...

You may not be as open-minded as you think you are

You may not be as open-minded as you think you are

Mar 27, 2022 / 11:00 am

Are you openminded? Open-mindedness is the willingness to find and consider a variety of perspectives, values, opinions or beliefs, even if they contradict your...

Not up to you to make your partner happy

Not up to you to make your partner happy

Mar 20, 2022 / 11:00 am

I love meeting people for coffee. The conversations that accompany the beverages are a great source of column topics for me. This week I found myself talking...

'Big T' or 'little t' trauma — it all packs a punch

'Big T' or 'little t' trauma — it all packs a punch

Mar 13, 2022 / 11:00 am

Years ago, when I was first dipping my toe into the world of professional speaking, I was encouraged to create a signature story. This is the term used to...

Optimism is more than just looking on the bright side

Optimism is more than just looking on the bright side

Mar 6, 2022 / 11:00 am

I had a conversation last week with a young woman who was feeling anxious about the events in Ukraine. Eventually, she put her main concern into a question....

Research shows hugging really is good for us

Research shows hugging really is good for us

Feb 27, 2022 / 11:00 am

Over the past two years, I’ve experienced a drastic reduction in the number of hugs I receive. With both my children living in the U.K., COVID protocols...

Believing these myths can adversely affect your friendships

Believing these myths can adversely affect your friendships

Feb 20, 2022 / 11:00 am

Having friends that you love and trust, is an amazing gift. This is especially true when you’re weathering a storm like COVID-19. Research shows feeling...

Emotion can be more contagious than a virus

Emotion can be more contagious than a virus

Feb 13, 2022 / 11:00 am

COVID-19 is contagious. It’s easily passed from one person to the next. But did you realize you’re surrounded by something even more contagious than...

Ways to make the world a better place

Ways to make the world a better place

Feb 6, 2022 / 11:00 am

All animals have a drive to make their world a better place. For many species that means working towards greater safety and a more comfortable existence. But...

Ways to avoid our own pandemic 'Groundhog Day'

Ways to avoid our own pandemic 'Groundhog Day'

Jan 30, 2022 / 11:00 am

As Groundhog Day approaches, I know I’m not alone when my thoughts go to the 1993 movie with Bill Murray rather than wondering about a little rodent who...

Breaks can be more beneficial than powering through a task

Breaks can be more beneficial than powering through a task

Jan 23, 2022 / 11:00 am

Because the end of my week was going to be quite busy, I wanted to get my column written on Wednesday. I came up with an idea for it, did some research, and...

Life can be like a game of Snakes and Ladders

Life can be like a game of Snakes and Ladders

Jan 16, 2022 / 11:00 am

As Forrest Gump famously said: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” Personally, I like to think of...

What does happiness and success mean to you?

What does happiness and success mean to you?

Dec 12, 2021 / 11:00 am

Do you ever stop to wonder whether you’re making a success of your life? It’s a question that often drifts into my mind as I move through December....

Finding happiness in stressful times is possible

Finding happiness in stressful times is possible

Dec 5, 2021 / 11:00 am

I’m sitting in front of my computer, shaking my head. British Columbia must be setting some kind of record for the greatest number of bizarre,...

There are valuable benefits of fighting through challenges

There are valuable benefits of fighting through challenges

Nov 28, 2021 / 11:00 am

This is the 257th column I’ve had published on Castanet. Yes, I am sad enough to have taken the time to count. To professional columnists, that may seem...

Are you a glass half-empty or a glass half-full type of person?

Are you a "glass half-empty" or a glass half-full type of person?

Nov 21, 2021 / 11:00 am

Black Friday sale promotions began infiltrating my email a few weeks ago. Some people love this day of deals, others hate it. I can’t remember there...

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