Category: happiness

What Does It Mean to Be a Rich Nation?

Commentary I’m sitting at the bar at a restaurant in the center of Mexico City, a country ranked 71 in the list of nations in GDP per capita. Most people in the United States would call it poor. And of course Americans are somehow under the impression that the place is dangerous, which, so far…


Biological Factors of Happiness, and How It Impacts Our Physical Health

Are marshmallows the key to happiness? They might be—but not in the way that you think. In the classic “Marshmallow Experiment” on delayed gratification, researchers brought hundreds of children—mostly around 4 and 5 years old—into a room and offered them a deal. The researcher said that the child could eat a marshmallow now. Or, they…


Return to Happiness | Documentary

A life-transforming journey of a pro hockey player who, after having been imprisoned for dealing drugs and losing the things and people he loved most, seeks a return to happiness and redemption via a humanitarian journey into South East Asia. * Click the “Save” button below the video to access it later on “My List.”…


Don’t Wait to Be Happy

I occasionally reflect on certain periods of my life nostalgically as the “good ol’ days.” Of course, I didn’t recognize them as the good ol’ days while they were happening. They seemed like ordinary days. I found much to enjoy in each of those seasons, and have no major regrets, but I notice a certain…


The 2 Levels of Happiness

Happiness seems like a simple idea until you consider that this single word covers concepts as diverse as quiet contentment and ecstatic joy. How we define happiness will decide how we seek it, and not all happiness is created equal. In fact, some forms of happiness aren’t even good for us. Some paths to happiness lead…


Can Gardening Make You Happier?

Years ago when we had a big yard, thumbing through gardening catalogs was one way I got through the long Minnesota winters. I dreamed about what I’d plant when the weather warmed up and the ground thawed. I’d look at unusual plants, early bloomers, late bloomers, heirloom tomatoes, and whatever else caught my attention in…


15 Things You Should Give up to Be Happy

We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress, and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress-free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no…


Rural and Regional Australians ‘Happier’ Than City Counterparts: Report

A study by one of Australia four major banks has found Australians living in rural and regional areas to be the happiest in the country—the highest rating NAB economists have seen since 2018. The report (pdf) by the National Australia Bank surveyed over 2000 Aussies across the country and found rural and regional Australians having lower…


Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy

Many days, I try to humble myself and hold a 2-minute gratitude session. I simply sit or kneel, with no distractions, close my eyes, and think about what I’m grateful for and who I’m grateful for. I don’t do it every day, but let me tell you, on the days I do it, it makes…


The Ultimate Source of Happiness: Our Minds

Imagine a person who has “everything”: a loving family, good friends, health, wealth, power, or even fame. Yet this person lacks one thing: inner peace. Their mind is constantly occupied by negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and sadness; they do not like themselves or trust others, and they take a grim view of everything….