The happiest people are these...

The happiest people aren't those who have the best of everything. If that were the case, you would never see millionaire athletes and celebrities getting into crippling debt, being arrested for drugs or driving drunk, settling nasty divorces with their spouses, or, in the worst cases, committing suicide.

Instead, the happiest people make the best of everything they have.

The key to being happy is striking the right balance between the desire to acquire more and achieving a state of contentedness with what you already hold in your possession.

Some people can't help themselves. They want a brand new car every year or two. They want the latest iPhone as soon as it comes out, even if their version still works perfectly.

I'm the polar opposite: I use things until they're almost falling apart. I held on to my last car for 10 years, and it still pained me to part with it. The only thing that prompted me to sell it was the fact it was mysteriously hydroplaning in rainy weather. Other than that, I would have been happy to keep it.

Sure, once in a while I might treat myself to a new shirt or pair of shoes, but I refrain from buying the most expensive brands. Just a few months ago, I bought a pair of $32 Puma shoes that wound up being more comfortable than I ever imagined. I'm glad I didn't opt instead for $200 Nike shoes that a woman at the Foot Locker store I was in tried to foist on me.

I have no problem with people who buy expensive stuff. After all, they work hard for their money, so if it's what they want, they should be able to purchase whatever they desire.

It's those who want to "upgrade" everything they own after a year or two who really get under my skin. That's just frittering away money.

And why do they do it?

They're under the misguided assumption that doing so will make them happier. They want to beat their peers to the checkout lines and have the latest and greatest stuff before they do. They're overcome by an interminable compulsion to show off.

And it's these very people who end up miserable. They don't realize until later that material things can't fill any void you feel in your life. In fact, the quest to acquire more and more leaves you emptier than before.

One of the surest ways to feel happier is to be grateful for what you already have. It doesn't mean you should cease finding ways to better yourself, but you simply recognize that it's not the end of the world if you don't get that shiny new watch. You have one that works just fine.

When you consider that so many less fortunate people around the world would do anything to be in your position, it changes your whole perspective. We may have less than some, but we have so much more than others -- not just in terms of possessions, but our health, loving friends and family, and other blessings we may take for granted.

Let's never lose sight of one thing: We can't take our material stuff with us when we die. It's not about wanting what you don't or can't have, but wanting what you do have.

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...

How To Understand People

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