In a short article about compassion and happiness, I mentioned that happiness is a process. Part of the process, I think, is finding how little things can make you happier. We must consider happiness as something that should (and will) happen throughout the day. If we’re pushing ourselves with the belief that happiness comes at the…
If someone came up to you and said, “If you remember my name a week from now, I’ll give you a million dollars,” would you remember that name? You probably would, right? I know that I would. Many people believe that it’s difficult to remember names and faces. It’s a limiting belief that prevents many…
I had to see my physician, Dr. Macleod, the other day. He is a good doctor, a bit younger than me, but not by much. At least he’s not straight out of medical school. He has the experience necessary to give a proper diagnosis. Dr. Macleod is a Scotsman through and through — crew-cut red…
It’s easy to blame outside distractions, like our phones, for distracting us. Even a body of research suggests these devices are responsible for shortened attention spans. Truthfully, we just need to learn techniques for developing focus, attention, and concentration. Phones are only part of the story. If we weren’t easily distracted, the beeps and dings…
Last Words Is it true? Smiling makes you happy and healthy? It can lower stress, boost your immune system, and prolong your life? Scientists like Dr. Isha Gupta claim smiling can do all of these things. According to Dr. Gupta, smiling triggers a series of chemical reactions in the brain that make a person happy….
At the risk of sounding rancorous, the best word to describe the various social circles among school staff is cliques. Not only for its denotative meaning of being an exclusive group; I also mean it in the etymological sense, cliquer, to make a noise. That’s what these pedagogues do, create a constant din in the background. In many ways,…
Models of Happiness When I ask myself, what is happiness, I’m not sure I can answer the question. I figure it probably has something to do with my general satisfaction with life. Am I looking for tips and tricks to make me happier? Are tips and tricks a way to become happier? Am I trying to…
Can adults still learn new things? Three common myths Yes: adults can learn new skills and form new memories throughout life. Some mental abilities change with age, while experience, knowledge and vocabulary may remain strong or improve. There is no fixed age at which learning stops, and there is also no credible promise that practice…
How to remember historical dates with the month, day and year For a complete date, use three separate memory cues: one for the month, one for the day and one for the year. Then link those cues to the historical event in the same order every time. This article uses month images and the Major…
The last time I told someone I was a history teacher, I couldn’t decide what the expression on his face meant. With his head tilted back, an embarrassed grin stretched thin like an elastic band between his ears. In his eyes, I thought I could see the words, “Those who can’t, teach.” Maybe it was…