Quoted: ...you will walk a long mile to find someone who has more respect for the power of reason than I have. However, there are regions of life, thought and behavior that are beyond reason's scope, and ought to stay there.

We're unhappy because we're spoiled.

Quoted: 7 Reasons the 21st Century is Making You Miserable

To do: have more fun.

Quoted: Barbara Ehrenreich's latest book, Dancing in the Streets, is surprisingly optimistic. A "history of collective joy," it explores the origins of communal celebration in human biology and culture -- and explains why modern Americans have grown so resistant to ... well ... having fun together.

This article led me to also find out about Structuralism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structuralist

and Russian formalism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_formalism

It's interesting how many ideas already have names.

Great old article about the right solution for common relationship problems. It came up in conversation today.

Quoted: I wanted — needed — to nudge my husband a little closer to perfect.

Elin sent me a link to this page. The "Positive Psychology" center at UPenn has an online "VIA Signature Strengths" test. The idea is that the test helps you find out what your strengths are, and you should focus on developing them further. That will make you happy.

My top 5 strengths are:
1. Curiosity and interest in the world
2. Love of learning
3. Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
4. Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
5. Appreciation of beauty and excellence

My bottom 3 strengths are:
22. Caution, prudence, and discretion
23. Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith
24. Modesty and humility

I'd heard this a long time ago and wanted to track down a source.

Quoted: Scientific researchers in neurology, psychology, and ophthalmology actually have found some preliminary evidence that the relaxing effects of green do not solely depend on cultural associations with leaves or meadows. Our eye perceives color using tiny sensors called cones. Certain cones are sensitive to red or green or blue light. However, overall they are the most sensitive to wavelengths at 510 nm, which translates to green light. Researchers hypothesize that this sensitivity to green objects might affect hormonal production or the circulation of neurotransmitters that in turn influence mood.

If you had the power to protect your future children from depression, would you do it?

Quoted: A new breed of permanently 'cheerful' mouse is providing hope of a new treatment for clinical depression. TREK-1 is a gene that can affect transmission of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is known to play an important role in mood, sleep and sexuality. By breeding mice with an absence of TREK-1, researchers were able create a depression-resistant strain.

Quoted: This sofa is embedded with patterned lights which react to seating arrangements. As a couple sit apart on the sofa, they are surprised when a cold blue pattern begins to grow around them signifying their distance apart from each other. With the pattern changing in relation to weight and proximity, as they move towards each other warm pink petals begin to form representing their closeness.