There are basically three types of friends in this world. Let’s say you fall of a bridge into the raging river. The first type of friend would jump right in to save you. The second type would look around for rope or anything else that could be used to pull you to safety. And the third type….oh, the third type….they will rush right out and sign you up for swimming lessons. »more»

What the heck is the Dorothy Syndrome and what does it have to do with mid-life crisis? Well, it has everything to do with MLC! The Dorothy Syndrome is a phrase that I coined and is the premise for my upcoming book titled "The Dorothy Syndrome: Mid-life on the Yellow Brick Road". While coaching at another web site forum, I started using the metaphors used in one of my favorite stories and movies..."The Wizard of OZ". I was astonished at how easily I could use the dialog from the movie or premise of the story to describe the transitions, emotions, the typical experiences that occur during an MLC, whether it be for the woman or the man. »more»

Randy Pausch passed away yesterday of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47. Pausch was the terminally ill computer science professor whose poignant farewell lecture at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University became a viral video phenomenon and then a best-selling book (see link below). He symbolized living life to the fullest. »more»

You know the expression ‘we’re creatures of habit’? It’s believed that change is difficult, perhaps even impossible, as we keep on with our old ways of operating in the world. But it’s important for many good reasons (such as changing what makes us miserable and staying young) to do new things. »more»

Slowing down, going within, centering, getting in touch with ourselves…We hear this message often and are told this will improve our quality of life. It’s simple, yet profound. It’s tough to do because of the busyness of our lives and the busyness of our brains.

I invite you to take a deep, slow breath, sit back, and enjoy the stillness: »more»

When we are simply being we are in the flow. When I was in group therapy in the 80’s in the Toronto area, the facilitator told us about different stages of development, including ‘being’ and ‘doing’. She said most people were in doing mode almost exclusively. She taught us how to simply be. »more»

In the May 2008 issue of Oprah there was an article that asked many well-known individuals from all walks of life: What’s a Moment That Defined Spirituality for You?

Edward Espe Brown, author of The Tassajara Bread Book, was quoted as saying: »more»

"The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work" is Jon Gordon's fictional story about how to turn complaints into "solutions, innovations, and success." Though not based on an actual company, it was inspired by the successes one organization had eliminating rampant complaining. »more»

People have long debated whether there's something about middle age that makes it a uniquely trying time, and now a pair of researchers say they can show that around the world, happiness bottoms out in midlife. »more»

According to a newly published report, money can buy happiness but not in the way that you might think. Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School found that spending money on others makes people happier than if they spend it on themselves. »more»

When in Singapore in January, I learned about a Chinese legend that is supposed to help you attract love. It’s pretty simple.

In Chinatown, a friend pointed out two Mandarin duck figurines. She said if you put these little statues in your bedroom so they faced each other bill-to-bill, they would attract love to you.

Why? »more»

According to the researchers at Gallup, almost half of Americans describe themselves as "thriving" (that is few health or money worries), another 47% say they are "struggling" (mostly reporting money issues), and about 4% report themselves as "suffering" through life. The results were based on a 70 question well-being survey of more than 100,000 people. »more»

UCLA researchers using brain imaging techniques have found that the parts of the brain associated with happiness are the same ones that get stimulated when subjects feel that they are being treated in a fair manner. In other words, we are hard-wired to feel happy when we perceive that we are being treated equitably. »more»

David and I have one chick left in the nest. He graduates from high school on June 8, 2008. And I am marking the days. I keep a gigantic calendar and mark a red X each day. For my son's sake (and to avoid horrified looks from house guests), I keep the calendar between the mattresses of my bed. »more»

www.40andnowwhat.weebly.com

(Click on the link above and scroll to the bottom of the page and click play on the audio player to hear the "Happiness" talk)

Is Happiness a Serious Problem???? According to Dennis Prager it is. Not only is it a problem, but it is our moral obligation to our spouses, family and community to be happy. »more»