Tag Archives: "anger"

So much of my Happiness Project is aimed at helping me curb my very strong tendency to “talk in a mean voice” or “make a mean face” (which is how my daughters refer to this behavior). In a flash of irritation or anger, I snarl at my sweet daughters or my good-natured husband. They don’t like this, and I don’t … →

Every Wednesday is Tip Day, or List or Quiz Day. This Wednesday: 5 mistakes I continue to make in my marriage, and how I try to address them. One of the main themes of my happiness project is marriage. For me, as with many people, my marriage is one of the most central elements in my life, my home, and … →

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Six questions to help you keep your cool. One of my worst faults is my tendency to “snap” – to react sharply, in a minor but harsh way. This trait clouds my happiness and the happiness of everyone who feels the lash. The conventional advice for mastering your temper is to “Count to … →

Assay: I’m surprised by how often people say to me something like, “Well, of course, you think people should be blissfully happy every minute of every day” or “You argue that people should aim never to experience negative emotions.” But I never argue that. I don’t believe that. For me, at least, the aim of a happiness project is not … →

One of my more disagreeable faults is my irritability. I lose my temper easily; I “speak in a mean voice” as my daughters describe it; I become impatient and act annoyed; I feel anxious about something, so I snap at my family; I feel criticized, so I lash out. Dozens of my resolutions are aimed at helping me to be … →