It’s a Secret of Adulthood: What we assume will be temporary often becomes permanent; what we assume is permanent often proves temporary.
It’s a Secret of Adulthood: I can’t make people change, but when I change, others may change; and when others change, I may change.
It isn't enough to love; we must prove it.
It is only when you meet someone of a different culture from yourself that you begin to realise what your own beliefs really are. —GEORGE ORWELL, The Road to Wigan Pier
In fact, novelty lovers may do better with a series of short-term activities—thirty-day challenges, for instances—instead of trying to create an enduring, automatic habit.
I wasn't sure how to answer. Could I tell him that one Secret of Adulthood is Never start a sentence with the words 'No offense'?
I was surprised to learn from my research, however, that the well-known notion of anger catharsis is poppycock. There’s no evidence for the belief that letting off steam is healthy or constructive. In...
I used to think I was pretty typical, but now I see that I’m extreme. I can’t judge people according to what works for me.
However, if you want to know how people would like to be treated, it's more helpful to look at how they themselves act than what they say.
He gave his assistant a stamped, addressed envelope with a check he’d written to an anti-charity, an organization whose policies he passionately opposes, with the instruction to mail the check if he h...
Happy people make people happy, but I can’t make someone be happy, and No one else can make me happy.
Forbearance is a form of generosity.
For an extensive and fascinating discussion of the use and pitfalls of rewards, see Edward Deci, Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation (New York: Penguin, 1996); Alfie Kohn, Punished by...
Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. —Journal of Thomas Merton
When possible, the brain makes a behavior into a habit, which saves effort and therefore gives us more capacity to deal with complex, novel, or urgent matters.
Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail, but everyday is a clean state and a fresh opportunity.
Making. A habit requires no decision from me, because I’ve already decided.
Intentions, also known as action triggers or if-then planning. If ________ happens, then I will do _______. With if-then planning, we try to plan for every habit challenge that might arise, so we don’...
By mindfully shaping our habits, we can harness the power of mindlessness as a sweeping force for serenity, energy, and growth.
When we try to form a new habit, we set an expectation for ourselves. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how we respond to expectations.