“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” ~ William Arthur Ward Did you know that smiling and laughter have the power to relieve anxiety, boost our mood, and help strengthen relationships? Many studies have shown that a smile is all we need to contribute to a happy and Read more…
By Charles A. Francis “Retirement is a time to enjoy the things you never could before.” Retirement is supposed to bring some of the happiest years of our lives. We no longer have to work every day, or deal with stressful demands from our job. We can just relax and Read more…
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” ~ Helen Keller The Global Biodiversity Assessment was published in 1992 as part of the United Nations Environment Program. At that time, 4,000 viruses had been Read more…
By Charles A. Francis “When a man is prey to his emotions, he is not his own master.” ~ Benedict de Spinoza Do you ever wish you could understand your emotions better? Most of us do. However, those who have good emotional awareness are few. Many of us live our Read more…
By Charles A. Francis “Life is available only in the present moment.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh If you’ve read any books on meditation or spirituality, you’ve probably noticed that a common theme in most of them is the concept of living in the present moment. They usually describe the benefits Read more…
Recovery from a brain injury is so much more than just physical. It involves dealing with flashes of your old life that seem to haunt you long after you’ve accepted the new. This is one reason why recovery must originate in the mind. Meditation isn’t a cure-all, but it can Read more…
By Charles A. Francis “No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free.” ~ Buddha Many of us have painful memories that we would rather forget—a difficult childhood, painful relationship, or traumatic event. We usually find ways to avoid thinking about them, so we Read more…
Spirituality does not have to be restricted to the confines of organized religion. Freed from the rules, restrictions, and impediments that organized religion may impose upon you, how and where might you be more spiritual in your life? If you smile at someone, they tend to smile back. If you Read more…
By Charles A. Francis “Life is available only in the present moment.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh I’ve had people tell me that they’re not interested in becoming a guru: they just want to learn how to be happy. While this sentiment may sound humble, and noble, it is not practical. Read more…
Visualization, also called imaging, is a simple process that involves conjuring a mental image of something that conveys happiness, warmth, or peaceful feelings for you. For example, you might remember a meadow or farm from your childhood, a waterfall, a picnic site, a scene from a movie, a favorite cousin, Read more…