The last few weeks have felt surreal, haven't they? I've never experienced anything like this Coronavirus pandemic in my life, and I'm sure many of you second that sentiment. While the most important thing we can do right now is keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy, many are already starting to chafe of cabin fever. They complain of feeling isolated and disconnected from the world in a way they never have before. Chances are, you've already worked from home for a few days. Such an arrangement has its share of pros and cons. Sure, you can work in your undees, spend more time with family, and not have to grapple with traffic. But some people just aren't as self-motivated as others, and without a boss a few feet away to keep them focused on their work, they become easily distracted -- whether by their kids clamoring to play, the cat meowing for food, or the temptation to watch The Price is Right. And while we can still do takeout and deliver...

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to ease the pain of loneliness, I have news for you: Being in the wrong company can be far worse, as such feelings are only magnified.  Ask yourself this: Do you really think you'd feel lonelier by yourself, or in a group of people you hardly know and may have little in common with? As shocking as it may be to some, it's perfectly normal to enjoy your own company. You don't need other people to enjoy such hobbies as reading, writing, listening to music, and exercising. Besides, sometimes you need alone time to contemplate and catch a breath of fresh air after a tough day. In essence, being alone and being lonely aren't one and the same. The former can actually be a plus -- something one seeks for their general well-being. The latter, on the other hand, is a negative condition one generally tries to extricate themselves from. Having others around can be a boon if you know and trust them. In the absence of such rap...

You've heard some people say that happiness comes from within, but others claim that true happiness can only be derived from interacting with others -- in other words, from the outside. So which one is it? It depends in part on whether you're oriented inwards or outwards. Since I am what you would call an introvert, I fall into the former group. I don't need to be in the presence of others to feel fulfilled. In fact, I find nonhuman objects -- like animals and books -- to usually be more interesting. Of course, we're human beings and still require some level of social contact. For me, my wife, family, a couple of friends, and my internet friends (on Google +, forums, and elsewhere) more than suffice. I derive more happiness from helping people in need than from simply chit chatting with them about superficial things. When people say "happiness comes from within," I really think they should be saying "happiness starts from within." Unless we...