Have you ever encountered something so beautiful that it left you in a state of awe? Maybe you even felt inspired to be a better person or give more to others? If so, what was it that struck you as beautiful? Maybe it was the rising sun upon the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean, colorful flowers standing tall amidst a Spring rain, or the majesty of one of Claude Monet’s masterpieces. But have you ever been moved by acts... Read more
Have you been busy with shopping and holiday to-do’s, but still find yourself searching for more? If so, you’re not alone. For centuries upon centuries, mankind has searched for meaning. Ancient philosophers like Plato, sought the good, true, and beautiful; and Aristotle proclaimed that engaging in virtuous actions will lead to fulfillment. Hedonia vs. Eudaimonia Psychologists today haven’t strayed far from these wise men. Researchers distinguish two types of well-being: hedonic and eudaimonic. Hedonic well-being is that which is... Read more
You’re probably looking forward to a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving, while already starting to plan your holiday shopping on Black Friday. You may have also heard about Giving Tuesday, the annual Tuesday designated to giving to others. You might be thinking of donating to charity or buying toys for your local giving tree. You might even be aware of a good feeling inside that comes along with giving. But what does research in psychology say about this? How does this line... Read more
This Thanksgiving, you may be looking forward to enjoying some oven-sizzling turkey and stuffing, alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. You also may be looking forward to gathering with family and friends, laughing together, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Boosting social connection In today’s world, it’s harder than ever to achieve true social connection. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General released a statement calling for action to promote social skills and wellness among American youth. In it, he noted... Read more
For many of us, Halloween means a night out, dressed up in costumes, going door to door requesting a piece or two of candy with the words, “trick-or-treat.” Although candy surely tastes good and activates many brain regions involved in reward, such as the ventral striatum, we might find that it doesn’t fulfill us deep within. Why not? Well, researchers have identified two types of happiness—hedonic happiness, which involves the experience of pleasure, reward, and comfort—and eudaimonic happiness, which involves... Read more
With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of innocent lives in the Israel-Gaza conflict. We yearn for peace to preside. We might feel distant and helpless—wondering what we can do to foster love, understanding, and unity. Have you considered praying for peace? If you’re like me, you probably considered it, but you also might have questioned: Why prayer? How and why can prayer really help a situation? First, let’s remember that it’s okay—actually, it’s good—to ask questions. We are invited... Read more
Have you ever watched Disney’s Frozen and been enthralled by Elsa’s passion-felt “Let it go?” If so, you’re not alone- the song hit the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was one of the best-selling songs in 2014. Aside from Idina Menzel’s outstanding voice and Disney’s exceptional filmmaking, why might this song have been so admired? What does this song mean to you? For Elsa, “let it go” meant that she was finally accepting herself and what... Read more
What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Which places have you visited that you’ve most enjoyed? Maybe you’ve visited the incredible Swiss Alps, Hawaiian Islands, the African safari, the Bolivian rainforest, the Florida Keys, the Jersey Shore (you guessed it, I’m from Jersey!), or the Bahamas. Or, maybe you’ve simply enjoyed a visit to a local park, a sunrise from your bedroom window, or a beautiful moment with a friend or partner. We often find beauty in nature. For... Read more
Last year, my 2nd grader came home from school singing “Mercy is falling is falling is falling. Mercy is falling like a sweet spring rain.” “Oh, I love that song! Did you sing that during adoration?” I asked him. “No, my teacher sang it when we walked outside in the rain,” he replied. My eyes welled up with tears of joy. It was a big sacrifice, financially, to send our children to Catholic school this year. But what more could... Read more
The world today cries out to discover truth. Discover. Few of us want to be told what to believe; instead, we want a journey through which we can find out, for ourselves, what is true. We often think that “faith” alone is where we find truth, but in fact, we can seek the good, the true, and the beautiful in and through everything. That includes art, science, mathematics, nature, architecture, music, dance, travel, the human person, and much more. Have... Read more
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