When you’re writing a nice message to someone, the perfect word can be elusive. Forget the advice in English class about not using too many adjectives. Go ahead and get as wordy as you want. Your effort will shine through, especially if you’re trying to make an impact. A dazzling word that describes a person…
Friday night rarely lives up to its reputation as a night of wild parties or hitting the clubs. Especially as you get older, those types of activities lose their appeal. That leaves you with time on your hands if you don’t plan ahead. If you don’t want to spend another Friday night binging a mediocre…
Manipulation is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it’s hard to define. People often use manipulative behavior with the intent to gain power or control over others. If you tend to ask yourself, “Am I manipulative?” you probably are. Sometimes it’s accidental, and other times you’re fully aware of it. The better…
“Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion.” ~ The Dalai Lama Each day you are blessed with opportunities for choice. From the food you eat, to the way you move, to the thoughts you think, every second of the day…
Food waste does not seem fair. The truth is, we are seeing a widening disparity of resources in the world today. However, when I see this gap growing, especially when it comes to food, it becomes harder to accept. I spent the first 6 years of my life in India. The city was growing, which…
Today, I’ve asked Judd Kessler to share his Tip of the Week. I was ecstatic when I got on the phone to discuss writing this piece for Character Lab. But it was clear the editor didn’t share my enthusiasm. “We actually hoped Christine would write it.” Christine meant Christine Exley, an associate professor at Harvard…
Amid pulsating music, flying bodies and all the other stimulation radiating from his 8-year-old daughter’s dance class, Lawrence Schwartz felt as if he’d lost his balance. Yet he was sitting in a chair, working on his laptop. Realizing how odd the sensation was, Schwartz looked up, gathered himself then returned to the spreadsheet on his…
I first arrived in Japan in 1971. I entered my new apartment with its tatami mats, shoji window shades, futon bed, Hagi tea pot, lacquer bowls, and a drawer filled with handmade wooden and bamboo gadgets, whisks and brushes — and I felt like I’d been transported to a magical kingdom of handmade master artisan crafts. Since…
⌄ Scroll down to continue ⌄ There are many aspects of effective, inspirational leadership. Leaders need to be decisive, self-aware, honest, communicative, and the list goes on. But what about cultivating a better sense of consciousness? Conscious leadership is a fascinating (and integral) part of any successful leader’s resume. In this article, I will break…
Humans are social beings, and the vast majority of us require relationships with each other to be truly happy. But all relationships—family relationships, such as those between parents and children and between siblings, the bonds you share with your friends, the acquaintance with your colleagues, and romantic relationships—require effort on part of all those involved…
