DUST MOTES OF WISDOM

During my search for past writings on Optimism, I came across this article from 2012, LONG before pandemics and 2020’s turmoil – and I was struck by how much of the wisdom from a “normal” year still applies, but feels different, in a pandemic year. With minor tweaks, I share this from the archives. My … Read more

Stop Stress Before It Stops You

I live in the United States, and everyone I speak with recently seems incredibly stressed. Mixing a contentious political environment with a high degree of uncertainty about our workplaces and economic and social environments has pushed many people to the far edge of anxiety. And this is a global issue. A little stress keeps you … Read more

Is It Possible to have Too Much Dark Chocolate?

I was in a store with a colleague, and we passed the chocolate display. “Aren’t you going to buy something, Jim?” She asked. “No,” I replied, “I have a pretty full shelf right now.” “Oh, come on,” she said. “Can you possibly have too much chocolate?” I paused for a moment.  “Actually, yes,” I confessed. … Read more

Happiness is Good Airplane Food – and Chocolate Dessert!

In two days I’ve spent a total of 23.75 hours on a plane, most of that on two Japan Airlines (JAL) flights from Chicago O’Hare to Narita International in Tokyo and then from Tokyo to Singapore.  I’ve been unconditionally delighted with the meals four meals I’ve had thus far. I’m a vegetarian, and so am … Read more

"Too Much" Dark Chocolate? Impossible!

“Do you really need that?” my wife asked as I dropped a dark chocolate bar into the grocery cart. “One can never have too much dark chocolate,” I countered.  She gave me a look…. “I think you have an ample supply,” she offered, grimly.  Hmmm. Curious, I set out to learn just how much chocolate … Read more

Chocolate Speaks Louder Than Words

So, I get a package in the mail from a Happiness Coaching client.   No idea what’s in it.  I open the box and… it’s full of Chocolate!  A RAINBOW of Lake Champlain chocolates. The coolest part:  The logo on the side of the bars.  I dunno if you can see it on your screen — … Read more