Tag Archives: "emotions"

Further Secrets of Adulthood:   One of my most effective resolutions is to Act the way I want to feel. It’s almost uncanny how quickly I can change my emotions, by changing my actions–and it’s a lot easier directly to change my actions than my emotional state. Have you found this to be true?

Over the weekend, I read David Rock’s very interesting book, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long. One strategy particularly struck me: if you’re feeling a negative emotion, you can work to reduce it by labeling it in one or two words. Note, however, that thinking or talking at length about … →

Further Secrets of Adulthood: I learned this Secret from my favorite parenting book (which applies just as well to all relationships), Faber and Mazlish’s How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. Agree? Disagree?

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent. This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is:  “I catch other people’s bad moods.”   Do you notice my Bluebird … →

For many people, the holidays are a joyous time; other people dread them. If you anticipate that you might have to spend time with difficult relatives, here are some strategies for keeping family dinners pleasant: 1. Before you walk into the situation, spend a few minutes thinking about how you want to behave. Don’t just react in the moment; consider … →