This week's challenging question comes from Gregory Stock's thought-provoking collection, The Book of Questions: Would you ever use a happiness-producing drug that had one serious side effect: The next day, you'd remember the wonderful feelings but not what had actually happened? Additionally, do you treasure any memories that are more about how you felt than … Continue reading Question of the Week #428
Happiness
Question of the Week #427
Ever since reading Gregory Stock's thought-provoking book The Book of Questions, I've found myself wrestling with philosophical dilemmas that challenge my assumptions about life, morality, and human nature. This week's question hits particularly close to home, as it deals with something we all pursue in one way or another: happiness. The question is deceptively simple: … Continue reading Question of the Week #427
Question of the Week #413
From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: If 100 people your age were chosen at random from your last school or workplace, how many do you think would be more satisfied with their lives than you are with yours? Why? What about 1,000 people chosen randomly from anywhere in the world? Now, before you start comparing yourself … Continue reading Question of the Week #413
Question of the Week #396
From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: How close and loving is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most people's? Now, I don't want to sound like a bitter old curmudgeon, but let's face it – as we age, our extended families tend to drift apart. It's just a fact of life. Once … Continue reading Question of the Week #396
Happy Thoughts
I watched the movie Hook the other day and something struck me. The grown up Peter Pan had a really hard time flying. Now, if you know the Peter Pan story, you know that all it takes to fly is a little pixie dust and one happy thought. In the classic Disney version of the story, the … Continue reading Happy Thoughts
Question of the Week #191
Would you rather be happy yet slow-witted and unimaginative or unhappy yet bright and creative? For example, would you rather live the life of a brilliant yet tortured artist like Vincent van Gogh, or that of a happy but carefree soul who is a bit simple-minded? I'd rather go for bright and creative, even if … Continue reading Question of the Week #191
50 Reminders That the World Isn’t All Bad
I think we can all agree that the world we live in can be a pretty dark place. Even without the tragedies that have dominated the news cycle in recent weeks, that darkness is evident every time we turn on the evening news... or peruse the magazine rack while waiting in line at the grocery … Continue reading 50 Reminders That the World Isn’t All Bad
Moved to Tears
I’m not an emotional person. At least, I’ve never considered myself an emotional person. Well, not an overly emotional person. I’ve always prided myself on my ability to control my feelings. When I’m feeling happy, it’s because I allow myself to feel happy. When I’m angry, it’s because I allow myself to be angry… or … Continue reading Moved to Tears
Question of the Week #102
How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's? I'm not sure that I would necessarily call my family close or warm. When I was at my grandmother's for Christmas, I came to the realization that I hadn't seen my aunt or uncle since Christmas last … Continue reading Question of the Week #102
Nap Time
Welcome to In the Words of a Non-Parent! The part of the blog where I, a non-parent, give parenting advice to parents. Today we explore what happens when your kids just won't go to sleep. It's frustrating, right? So you've put your toddler down for his or her afternoon nap and the kid just won't … Continue reading Nap Time
The Confusing Middle 