If tomorrow never comes, how would you choose to live today? Subscribe for free updates to get the latest posts on living Joyful Days.

“Meditation is easy…”

“I crash into a table in the darkness, yet it is not the table that has hurt me but the lack of light.”

- Vikram Seth in “A Suitable Boy”

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | August 17, 2009 | 21 Comments

Can We Grow into Selflessness?

Selflessness does not come naturally to me, yet I became more selfless a few days ago without even trying to, while walking my dog. It got me thinking about selflessness – how it happens and whether we can develop it.

A gross incident

Although I normally pick up after my dog, that day I also picked up some other dog’s poo. It was horrible, all cold and covered with flies. Believe me, this is one of the last things on earth anyone would want to do.

Why did I do it? Because the day before, my dog had gobbled up some dried poo when I wasn’t paying attention. Apparently they are attracted to the smell and that’s how they pass germs to each other. I was determined that it wouldn’t happen again.

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | August 10, 2009 | 29 Comments

How to Give SMART Encouragement

How wonderful it is to encourage others, yet how often we find fault instead. Most people are better at criticising than encouraging, simply because we engage more often in the former.

I spent years learning how to encourage instead of put down. For a while my mantra was “Praise, Not Perfect.” At first, it was hard to find the right words, apart from a vague “well done”. Slowly, I learnt how to find words that encouraged the other person without sounding hollow or forced.

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | August 5, 2009 | 35 Comments

3 Key Steps If You Want To Be Happy

I recently asked a room full of people what their single most important goal in life was. More than half the room said simply “I just want to be happy”.

This struck me as odd because I would not have given this reply to the question myself. Then I realised why – I am already happy.

People who are happy don’t say “I want to be happy” because you cannot want something you already have. They’re more likely to say “I want nothing” and when pressed, may explain “I already have everything I want.”

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | July 29, 2009 | 38 Comments

Greetings! But Let’s Not Shake Hands…

Hello everyone! I’ve been busy with moving house and work, and lost the blogging momentum as a result. Thanks to those who took the trouble to send messages and emails asking how I’ve been. I am grateful for your friendship.

I recently returned from Thailand, where I think they have the most gracious greeting etiquette of all the countries I’ve been to. This got me thinking about how we greet each other, and whether it’s time to retire the traditional handshake.

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | July 22, 2009 | 46 Comments

Your 24 Possible Personal Strengths

Many people feel frustrated because they are not using their personal strengths to make a living or contribute to the world.

If I asked you “what are your personal strengths?” would you be able to answer with conviction? If so, are you already using those strengths in the work that occupies most of your waking hours?

My own answers to those questions tended to be vague, until I came across this excellent framework for identifying personal strengths.

Continue reading this article…

Posted by Daphne on | June 23, 2009 | 80 Comments

« go back — keep looking »