One unforeseen consequence of the COVID crisis is the proliferation of depression. I discovered just how widespread this is when speaking with my friend Dave. He confided that he has not been the same since the pandemic and sometimes finds it hard to manage. The solution for his sorrow is what every man longs for, … Read more
At first glance, the book, How and How Not to Be Happy sounds like those innumerable “self-help” tomes that crowd bookstore shelves. However, the mention of how not to be happy intrigues the reader and prompts a second look. It is well worth the effort as this is not one of those repetitive and tiresome … Read more
In Virgil’s Roman epic poem, The Aeneid, there is a famous scene when a terrible storm washes up the protagonist Aeneas and his men on the shores of Carthage. The crew is bruised, battered and discouraged by its misfortunes. The men are tempted to give up. Aeneas encourages them, concluding with one of the epic’s … Read more
In times of great suffering like ours, it does us good to think about heavenly things. Such considerations are constant reminders that our greatest concerns should be our union with God in this world and the next. Indeed, in times past, people commonly raised their hearts to Heaven, which made all their woes seem small. … Read more
One of the most appalling articles in recent memory comes from the people at National Public Radio. Entitled “Raising The Minimum Wage By $1 May Prevent Thousands Of Suicides, Study Shows,” it refers to a report in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. This conclusion is troubling on many levels. First is the suspicion … Read more
This is a challenging time to be a student. All generations had it rough. They all face the stress of preparing to leave the nest and being responsible for themselves. Graduates in the thirties had to face the Great Depression. Those in the forties had to contend with World War II. The fifties had the … Read more
The Declaration of Independence enshrined the unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. By this right, we think we may freely live the life that makes us happy, as long as it is not illegal or violates the rights of others. Many have the illusion that we can achieve perfect happiness on earth. They also think … Read more
There is good news in America today. Unemployment is down as the economy is booming. Jobs are available to all. Happy times should be here again. An economy-centered vision of society holds that plentiful jobs automatically lead to happiness. Give everyone a good job, they claim, and it will increase the person’s self-respect. Everything else … Read more
