“I’d roll over in my grave if people called me a cheapskate,” said the man in the third row. Bashfully, the man sitting next to him admitted, “I really don’t want to be described as boring.” “I’d just die if someone called me scatterbrained,” a woman at the back of the room offered … ironically....

Imagine for a minute that it’s the year 1903 . . . so you haven’t been born yet. The people who made you probably haven’t been born yet either. So it’s more than a hundred years ago, and all sorts of things in the universe are conspiring for you to be born . . ....

What’s a human trying hard to hang on in this world to do? We all need coping mechanisms, and habits are among the most benign in a world where there are a lot of strong drugs out there that’ll help “take the edge off.” But habits grow weary on us.... They lead to the mind-numbing...

What would you rather do? A) Ask for help B) Smother yourself in chum and then splash around in shark-infested waters If you picked A, you’re a liar, but that’s okay because I’m here to help (EVEN THOUGH YOU DIDN’T ASK FOR IT). Psychologists confirm that we’re notoriously and repeatedly out to lunch when it...

One of the early researchers in the field of positive psychology, Chris Peterson, was asked to sum up positive psychology (the scientific study of what makes life worth living) in two words or less. What do you think his answer was? A) "Housebroken pets." B) "Red wine." C) "Other people." I know, I know. It...

Summer! It’s arriving this Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 4:51pm EST, and like life, it’ll slip ‘n slide away from us unless we stop for a hot sec and figure out how to make these 94 days matter. Let’s do a quick temperature check. Where are you on the Summerlicious Heat-o-Meter? Regardless of where you...

Where do you fall on the Life Bullshitometer? Is there a dream or plan or notion you find yourself talking about ... fairly often ... and then promptly doing absolutely nothing about? You’re not alone. Here’s an assortment of examples: “I’m going to go back to school to finish my degree someday.” “I’m going to...

Remember my article from a few weeks ago about enjoying vs. saving “the good stuff” in life for special occasions? (If you don’t recall it, it’s probably because you were engrossed in my shiny new book—right?! I respect you for putting the rest of your life on hold until the very last page.) Okay but...

Who doesn’t love a good gimmick? Especially when a gimmick involves taking a photo of yourself, letting technology do mysterious/ sinister things in the bowels of an app, and TURNING YOU INTO AN OLD BAG. Check it out! Why sunscreen might be a good idea?   I’d like to introduce you to moi, at the...

Gather ‘round the flame, boys and girls! It’s excerpt time! This is a wee snippet from my brand-spanking-new book called You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets. (I promise I’m not just being lazy and shirking the task of writing an article this week; I love writing this...

It’s time for another installment of Personal Interrogation Reflection: multiple choice format! Take a shot of vodka truth serum and answer the following three questions: Question 1: How often do you use your “good” meal stuff (like the bone China, the fancy glasses, whatever precious stuff you put on your wedding registry, or anything you’ve...

Fair warning: I am feeling very exclamation-pointy today!! THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT GOING ON OVER HERE AND ALL-CAPS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS SURE DO CAPTURE THE FERVOR OF EMOTION, DON’T THEY?!! Except all-caps are too screamy for my conflict-avoidant sensibilities, so for now we’ll just stick with the exclamation points!! Okay even I am...