happiness – My Castle Heart Publications

Any big plans for Father’s Day? I’m going to be honest… My Mother’s Day wasn’t very good this year. The four year old seemed rather on a mission to make my life miserable. I didn’t take it personally. Toddlers have those days. It’s tough figuring out the world and your place in it. Sometimes even we adults … More Make Your Own Day

Old School vs. New School

February 3, 2014

Would you be brave enough to try this “new school” idea with your kids? When you were a kid, do you think you would’ve been driven and interested enough to stick with it yourself? When it comes to education, what would you say are the pros and cons of old school vs. new school, or as … More Old School vs. New School

90-Minute Productivity

January 30, 2014

Ever have one of those a-ha moments, when you encounter something that seems so brilliantly obvious? The Internet gifted me one such moment a few weeks ago with the “Write It Down” concept. It happened again when I came across this video. If you’re stressed, overworked, a parent, or any combo of the above, perhaps this 90-minute … More 90-Minute Productivity

Rejection: A Love Story

January 9, 2014

At age 30, with a great education, a decent job, a loving wife, and a first child on the way, Jia Jiang realized he never chased his dreams because he always chose security over rejection. He saw himself dying with regrets and told his wife so. Despite being pregnant (when most people would choose security … More Rejection: A Love Story

Make Someone Happy

December 26, 2013

Sure, gifts are nice and all, but how do you really make someone happy? The GNH formula is a great place to start. That’s “gross national happiness,” as developed by Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck back in the ’70s. It’s rather fascinating (see the video below, if you want to know more), but the gist is that: … More Make Someone Happy

Laughter

November 11, 2013

When was the last time you laughed like this? Head back, smile wide open, eyes pinched with happiness, not caring who saw you—scratch that—WANTING people to see you and see your joy.

Making Unicorns

October 28, 2013

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was obsessed with unicorns. She wanted to wear unicorn clothes. She wanted to color unicorn pictures. She wanted to make up unicorn stories. She want to play unicorn games. She wanted to BE a unicorn. And through the magic of some leftover craft supplies and … More Making Unicorns

Louis CK … Zen Master?

October 7, 2013

As I mentioned in my post last week, I’m expecting my second child now, which has brought a vast range of emotions, along with a profound appreciation for both the good and the bad of pregnancy … and life in general. One day, while crying over, oh I don’t know, the way the morning light played … More Louis CK … Zen Master?

Great Expectations

October 3, 2013

“That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life… Pause, you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of … More Great Expectations