“But the dramas of life’s ‘big decisions’ (which, almost by definition, are few and far between) should not hide the fact that in life we face choices all the time. Every moment of our waking life we face choices whose cumulative effect on us is just as great, if not greater, than the effect of the big decisions. I can choose whether to sit up straight or stooped; whether to say a warm word to my partner or give her a sour look; whether to appreciate my health, my friend, and my lunch, or to take them all for granted; whether to choose to choose or to remain oblivious to the choices that are there for the making. Individually, these choices may not seem important, but together they are the very bricks that make up the road we create for ourselves.”
~ Tal Ben-Shahar from Choose the Life You Want
Tal Ben-Shahar is one of my favorite authors and teachers.
One of the leaders of the positive psychology movement, his classes on “Positive Psychology” and “The Psychology of Leadership” were among the largest courses in Harvard’s history, attracting a total of 1,400 students—approximately 20 percent of all Harvard undergraduates.
Tal does a great job of integrating the rigor of the science of happiness with the fun of self-help and this is the third Note we’ve done on his great books. Check out Notes on Happier + The Pursuit of Perfect (now called Being Happy) for more.
Drawing on the latest psychological research, this book walks us through 101 choices we make throughout our lives and, as with his other books, is packed with wisdom.
I’m excited to share a few of my favorite Big Ideas so let’s jump straight in!
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