The Happiness Project

If a gratitude practice has always felt wrong to you, does it work to appreciate things in the moment?

Why can't I meditate?

Why can't I meditate? Greetings! I have a confession. This newsletter's title is misleading because I don't believe that you cannot meditate. But I do hear this often. Because research on meditation has shown physical and mental health benefits, I often ask new clients about whether they've considered a meditation practi...

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Are bad feelings really bad? Hello and Happy Summer! Today's subject could be quite perplexing. Some feelings certainly feel bad. Some are uncomfortable. Sometimes we believe we are bad for having certain feelings. Yet I can tell you that all "bad" feelings are useful. They point out the direction for healing. This is so import...

When you feel joy, pause for a moment. Really notice. Soak it in. Memorize the feeling.
Enjoy. :)

Is it self-care or selfish?

Is it self-care or selfish? Good morning! We've talked about self-care quite a bit, including last week's newsletter. When possible, we should take time to do the things that we find fulfilling or enjoyable. I don't believe life is supposed to be miserable all the time. But do you ever wonder how you draw the line between what...

I need you all. I know that now. I need my clients. I need anyone whom I mentor. I even need the people I find difficult.

When I teach, I'm teaching myself. I've come to understand some things about the mind and about happiness. I am not yet able to apply these things universally in my life and in my heart. This is a practice, a work in progress. I believe my practice is for the good of myself as well as for all.

I might even write again to help myself learn. I don't know where the journey takes me next, but I strive for humility as I open up to what comes next. And I feel gratitude: gratitude for the gifts of love in all the forms they have come over the years, from individuals and from the higher Source of all love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You can allow an imperfect self or you can require perfection and internalize shame.

Therapists have an ethical mandate not to push their values on others. This can make it tricky for people to have religion or spirituality come up in the therapy session.

I wanted to say this: if your beliefs are an important part of your life, or if you have struggles with the world that may relate to how you see things religiously or spiritually, these should be safe topics in therapy.

While you might want to explore ideas or to bounce things off of a therapist, your beliefs have to be something you decide because they are right for you, not to please someone else or because a someone thinks you should follow a certain path.

You can look up the ethics of any mental health profession (Counseling, Psychology, Social Work) and find the mandate to honor autonomy of values for clients. Make sure you and your therapist are honoring your voice and where you are on this and other topics. Use your intuition on whether you are feeling nurtured in this or any other situation.

I wish you all happiness and contentment.

Is your favorite chair empty?

Is your favorite chair empty? Welcome to spring! Are you busy with your goals? Are you focused? Are you achieving? Also, are you resting? Productivity can feel very good. However, I've come to believe that we are not in balance. In American culture, we highly value productivity. We are taught that respectable people are busy. We...

Remember to breathe - literally!

Like Breathing Exercises? Me too! Welcome back! I thought it might be nice to share ways I like to use breathing exercises with myself and others. These ideas could be the start of a meditative exercise, or the entire exercise. Begin by focusing on your breath. You can use a word to help focus your mind. For example: Inhale: "Calm"....