Have you ever felt unhappy even when everything was fine? It’s not uncommon for discontent and sadness to come up for no reason whatsoever. While our circumstances differ, the source of this inner contradiction may be simpler than you think. Reflecting on my own experiences, I used to feel unhappy all the time. Getting a … Read more
Some poets have this power. They can help us stop and discover moments of spaciousness free of mundane troubles, free of our mind with its automatic reactions and obsessive self-concerns. One such poet is Mary Oliver (September 10, 1935–January 17, 2019), winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, who is known for … Read more
It’s impossible to overestimate the joy that a simple act of kindness can bring to someone else’s life. Just a smile from you can help someone else regain the composure they need to face the day ahead with new motivation and optimism. As a result, you can experience “the helper’s high,” a bounce-back effect … Read more
Parting ways with a dear friend is never easy. Nothing can match the joy of shared memories, of silly quarrels and reconciliations and trials endured together. But everything changes and nothing stands still. Bit by bit, it comes over us that life goes on. One by one our comrades leave us to give space for … Read more