Bliss Tip #28: Seek a Peak

A small Irish man in tight leather pants with a larger than life persona recently reminded me of the power of “peak experiences.” Those who have had the opportunity to see U2 live would likely agree that Bono has a gift for making performances transcendental. He links songs to current events, humanitarian efforts, and activist [...]

Bliss Tip #27: Create a Savor Album

“She is totally obsessed with hairballs!” my classmate wrote about me in a middle school graduation yearbook. In reading this, I recalled that I used the term “hairballs” at that time to describe cute boys with long hair. My nicknames included “babbling brook” and “rambler,” despite the fact that I see myself as somewhat reserved [...]

Bliss Tip #22: Longitude Your Gratitude

by Allison Aboud Holzer
In Positive Psychology circles and  discussions about happiness, the topic of gratitude is likely to come up in conversation. While scientists disagree about the ideal dosage and type of gratitude intervention, most agree that some degree of focus on gratitude increases well-being, hope, and positive emotions. Some argue for keeping a gratitude journal, [...]

Bliss Tip #19: Seek Neighborly Advice

by Allison Aboud Holzer
It seems obvious. A Freshman in college is trying to decide between majoring in Econ or Biology and asks current seniors in both majors for their perspectives, right? A couple is deciding between purchasing a home in two different neighborhoods and asks current neighbors in both about how they like the area, [...]

Bliss Tip #18: Personalize Your Home

by Allison Aboud Holzer
Some people are natural nesters. When we first moved to New Haven, I couldn’t even sleep at night knowing that boxes were left unpacked. My home space is a haven to me and I need to be surrounded by images of people I love and souvenirs from memories I cherish in order [...]

Bliss Tip #17: Track Your 10,000

by Allison Aboud Holzer
A recent Op-Ed article in the New York Times argues against the romantic view of creativity as innate and deriving from a “divine spark.” Two recent books, one called The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle and the other called Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin position true creative genius as resulting from [...]

Bliss Tip #13: Replace “Bone Envy” with Gratitude

by Allison Aboud Holzer

I recently dog-sat a puppy Pomeranian named Quincy who illustrated to me what Psychologists call Social Comparison Theory. When Quincy arrived, I immediately gave him a bone to help him feel at ease in my home. My Tibetan spaniel named Stella watched inquisitively and immediately made a move to usurp Quincy’s prized [...]

Bliss Tip #9: Keep an Optimism Journal

by Allison Aboud Holzer
I love it when my dog, Stella, ignores me. You see, Stella is a formerly abandoned rescue dog. Her previous owner went to the ER one day and never came home. Stella almost starved to death waiting for her pack leader to return. When we first brought her home, she naturally feared [...]

Bliss Tip #8: Take a Volunteercation

by Allison Aboud Holzer
I will admit that this next Bliss Tip is not something I have tried myself, but have always wanted to do… take a Volunteercation!
The idea of combining vacation and volunteerism isn’t that new. Aristotle said that being good or virtuous in a passive way isn’t enough. We must act on or express [...]

Bliss Tip #6: Create a Vision Board

by Allison Aboud Holzer
For several years I taught a workshop called “Create Your Own Vision Board” to high school students, advanced adult Fine Art students, and elderly residents at a nursing home. While I approached the workshop from different angles depending on the audience, the overall message was the same: visually representing your goals helps [...]