My Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life

Want to get the "Moment of Happiness"? A daily happiness quotation in your inbox.   Sign up here close daily quote

Tag Archives: "psychology"



Consider These Questions Posed to You Upholders, Questioners, Rebels, and Obligers.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day, or List Day, or Quiz Day. This Wednesday: More questions about the Four Rubin Tendencies. I’m still obsessed with the four categories I’ve developed–which, for lack of a better name, I’m currently calling the Four Rubin Tendencies. These categories describe how people tend to respond to expectations: outer expectations (a deadline, a “request” from a …


Have You Ever Thought, “This Time Is Different?”

I have a friend who has started a new course of healthful eating. She told me, “This time is different. I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life, I’ve been on a thousand diets, but this time I’m changing my eating habits for good.” I think many of us have had a similar experience, when we’ve thought: “This time is …


Are You More Drawn to Simplicity or to Abundance?

I love dividing the world into categories. Abstainers and moderators. Radiators and drains. Leopards and alchemists. Marathoners and sprinters (formerly known as “tortoises and hares”–I like this terminology better, how about you?) I’ve come up with a new distinction, but I’m still turning it over in my mind. I’m not sure it works out…I would love to hear your response. …


The Happiness Lesson from the Finale of the TV Show “The Office.”

My daughters and I are huge fans of the TV show, The Office (the American version). We have the DVDs, we’ve watched every episode several times, and they get funnier each time. Now, admittedly, you may question the wisdom of allowing an eight-year-old to watch the show. But I always watch with her, and I skip through the inappropriate parts. …


How Well Do You Know Yourself? Take This Quiz.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Quiz–Answer these questions to boost your self-knowledge. A key–perhaps the key–to a happy life is self-knowledge, because as the Fifth Splendid Truth holds, I can build a happy life only on the foundation of my own nature. In my own case, I’ve found that the more my life reflects my real interests, values, …