I am a bit of a nerd, just in case you haven’t noticed yet. I love reading studies and reflecting on the implications of the results found. However, I also can be quite harsh when it comes to studies that demonstrate a combination of laxity in their data analysis and over-confidence in their interpretation. I… Read More Parenting and Marital Happiness: Not Mutually Exclusive
I recently wrote about how I didn’t think marital happiness and raising children were, despite what some might say, mutually exclusive. But my husband and I had seen how some of our friends’ marriage suffered after having children, and so we decided to do research and take preventative measures to make sure it wouldn’t happen… Read More Strengthening a Marriage Through the Common Experience of Raising Children
Back in 2008, I twisted my ankle really badly—so badly, in fact, that I had to use a crutch for at least 3 months, and surgery was an option being considered. While re-reading this post on how something as simple as walking had become mentally exhausting yet surprisingly relaxing, I was struck by how so… Read More Making the Most of Some Really Unlucky Times: The Story of an Amazing Family
Extreme ways of thinking often cause us to dig ourselves into a very deep hole. I’ve done that myself quite a number of times, ending up in some very uncomfortable places. I do hope that my hole-digging days are over, but then again, just like you, I’m an imperfect human being—so hopefully there are going… Read More Money and Happiness: The Confounding Factor, Part II
I am extremely lucky to have four friends going through pregnancies around the same time as I did. The five of us have a group chat in which we exchange everything from news to tips, from joy to tears. I love this group of mine; while tips from parents with little to loads of experience… Read More A True Measure of Good Parenting
I am a bit of a nerd, just in case you haven’t noticed yet. I love reading studies and reflecting on the implications of the results found. However, I also can be quite harsh when it comes to studies that demonstrate a combination of laxity in their data analysis and over-confidence in their interpretation. I… Read More Parenting and Marital Happiness: Not Mutually Exclusive
I had the opportunity a couple of years ago of chatting with an older man who, despite going through some immense suffering in his life—and I mean the real deal suffering, like massive health issues, becoming an orphan, going through war, losing all his material wealth, losing a child—was the most cheerful and optimistic person… Read More Pinning Beauty: Using Pinterest as a Tool to Leading a Happy Life
Many people I know have playlists that vary according to their mood, the period of their lives they are at, and what they are going through at that time. And not just musical playlists—playlists of funny clips on YouTube, of inspiring videos, or of brain food like TED talks. And while there are always one… Read More Fuel for my Current Midnight Musings: Five Great TED Talks
Journaling has been such an important part of my quest to achieve New Year’s resolutions. Because I spend so much time jotting down thoughts, reflections, quotes, learnings, and insights, I choose both pens and journals very carefully. While I have a propensity for Moleskine journals, other journals also make their way into my hands. These… Read More Spring Forth with New Year’s Resolutions, Part II: Inspirational Journals
Everyone wants to be happy, and so it must come as no surprise that I have been following the 100 Happy Days challenge with interest. The 100 Happy Days Foundation created this challenge, explaining it as follows: “We live in times when super-busy schedules have become something to boast about. While the speed of life… Read More From 100 to an Eternity of Happy Days: Making a Process out of an Event