Martin Seligman talks about positive psychology — as a field of study and as it works one-on-one with each patient and each practitioner. As it moves beyond a focus on disease, what can modern psychology help us to become? … [Read more...]
The Surprising Science of Happiness
Dan Gilbert, the author of Stumbling on Happiness, challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Our psychological immune system lets us feel truly happy even when things don’t go as planned. … [Read more...]
The Four Intangibles
We don't live on bread alone. And though we are excellent survivors and highly competitive, our life is about much more than the next cut. In fact, we thrive on four intangibles: love, beauty, happiness, and meaning. Why intangibles? Try to prove their existence and you will see that they are, at the same time, real and unreal. And subjective of course. We chase … [Read more...]
I Did it My Way
“Bro, do you remember what you told me last month?” “What was that?” “That I speed too much, that I should take it easy, enjoy life? That the way matters, not the goal.” “Yes, and then?” “I took a Yoga class.” “How did that work out for you?” “It’s awesome. Now I’m so relaxed when I speed.” Picture attribution: Copyright kotenko @ 123rf.com … [Read more...]
The Secret to Desire in a Long-term Relationship
In long-term relationships, we often expect our beloved to be both best friend and erotic partner. But as Esther Perel argues, good and committed sex draws on two conflicting needs: our need for security and our need for surprise. So how do you sustain desire? With wit and eloquence, Perel lets us in on the mystery of erotic intelligence. … [Read more...]