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
Joy
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
The Fleeting Flavor of Joy
Little Suzie skipped merrily down the sidewalk, her blonde pigtails bouncing with each sprightly step. The sun shone brightly overhead, bathing the world in a golden glow that seemed to promise endless possibilities. But for Suzie, only one thing mattered at this moment: the pack of bubblegum clutched tightly in her tiny hand. Suzie had … Continue reading The Fleeting Flavor of Joy
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
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
Ten Years Later
Last year, I shared about the night my father passed away. I wrote about the day leading up to that difficult night and the emotions I felt upon hearing the news. This year, ten years after losing Dad, I want to say thank you to the people who surrounded me in the days and weeks … Continue reading Ten Years Later
It’s Not Easy Being Mean
As a counselor working in an elementary school, it is sometimes required of me to accompany certain classes as they go on field trips. Once, when I was working closely with a first grade class, I was asked to go along on one of these trips. It was a joy and a pleasure. Please note: … Continue reading It’s Not Easy Being Mean
So Many Questions, Part III
Welcome to the third of a five part series of questions. If you missed the first two parts, 1-20 are here and 21-40 are here. Enjoy! 41. Write the first sentence of your obituary. Aaron Lee Peck, bestselling author and inventor of the thing that changed the face of western civilization, died at the age … Continue reading So Many Questions, Part III
Day Fourteen
A N0n-Fiction Book I hope, as with yesterday's post, that this is not an expectation of me to have a non-fiction book written and posted here. While I am, without question, a cesspool of useless knowledge, I would never claim to know enough about any particular subject to be able to write a book about … Continue reading Day Fourteen
The Confusing Middle 