Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

Do you think there's no such thing as too much money?  If you were raised poor, maybe you believe that.  Or if you've struggled to get by on a small salary and provide for basic needs and a few "nice to have" things for your family, you might think that people who make a lot more than you do have a much better life.  Growing up, I never wondered where my next meal was coming from or whether my family would be unceremoniously evicted from our home because we lacked rent money.  I had the clothes, shoes, and medical care I needed.  I even enjoyed the occasional family vacation, dinner out, and theater tickets.  And there was never any question that I would go to college. But there were things I wanted that I didn't bother asking for, since I knew they weren't in the budget, such as designer jeans or summer camp.  And so I got into the habit of thinking that a little more money would be better. It doesn't end. The problem with that kind of thinking is tha...

As we approach Mother's Day and you prepare to celebrate your mother, mother-in-law, ladies who have been "like a mother" to you, or even your daughters (my daughter, Elizabeth, is a wonderful mom), I'm sure you'll be giving thanks for all they've done and the indelible influence they've had on your life. Aren't we blessed? Remembering Mama My mother was one of the most capable women I've ever known.  The oldest of six children, if Mama didn't already know how to do something, she learned it or created her own method to accomplish it.  She could cook, bake, and sew, and also painted in watercolors and acrylics.  She lent her soprano voice to the church choir, taught Sunday school, led Bible studies, and managed church social events.  She was an accomplished public speaker. Mama was born at the height of the Great Depression in the back bedroom of her grandparents' house in rural Mariposa County, California.  When it was time for my grandma ...

Do you want to be happy?  The world's longest scientific study on happiness began in 1938 and is ongoing.  It focused on a group of over 700 Harvard students and other young men from the Boston area, including all income groups.  It has expanded to include the spouses and children of the original participants, a pool of more than 2,000 people. Not surprisingly, good health added to people's happiness.  So did a positive, grateful attitude having goals and a purpose learning new things showing kindness to others The number one indicator of happiness, however, turned out to be strong relationships .  When test participants were asked how they overcame adversity – illness, losses, war memories – their connections with others were mentioned most often.  Whether it was the person who loaned them money when they were in need, the fellow soldier who kept their spirits up (many participants were war veterans), or the friend who always listened and consoled, rela...

Losing weight and keeping it off isn't the easiest thing in the world for most of us.  I've lost weight multiple times, but I've gained it all back (plus a little more) just as often.  I've tried many diets – several low-carb variants, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, super low-fat, and more.  They all work for a while. Recently, I've tried again, and I think I've hit upon some easy concepts that aren't a diet as such, which might actually make them a long-term solution.  Diets have a lot of rules, and it's those limits that make you feel deprived.  No one wants to be deprived for long, but taking even a short break from a diet is usually seen as failure.  And once you stray, it's easy to wander even further. Simpler is better in my book, and I think that's true for most of us.  Charting and calculating (or buying a book or an app that will do it for you) just makes you think more and more often about food.  My mom was a serial dieter too, and she tho...