Luminous Things

Sport and Competition

Want to Be Happy? Train Like an Athlete

John Sean Doyle on July 11, 2024

Exercise triggers processes crucial for mood regulation, focus, and overall cognitive function. We should all train like an athlete.

Exercise triggers processes crucial for mood regulation, focus, and overall cognitive function. We should all train like an athlete.

Relationships

Enhancing Community and Meaning Through Art

John Sean Doyle on September 14, 2022

With curiosity, vulnerability, and two simple questions, the arts can become accessible, provide deeper connection, and touch something essential in us.

With curiosity, vulnerability, and two simple questions, the arts can become accessible, provide deeper connection, and touch something essential in us.

Happiness

We Like Working From Home

John Sean Doyle on May 11, 2021

There are benefits to working remotely, but stay attentive to your needs and the needs of your team.

There are benefits to working remotely, but stay attentive to your needs and the needs of your team.

Career

Working Remotely? How to Stay Connected

John Sean Doyle on January 28, 2021

Remote work is here to stay. How do we keep employees engaged and connected when there are not opportunities to see one another on a regular basis?

Remote work is here to stay. How do we keep employees engaged and connected when there are not opportunities to see one another on a regular basis?

Depression

The Good and the Ugly in the Practice of Law

John Sean Doyle on July 17, 2020

A recent study of NC lawyers shows that while more lawyers are happier with their lives, it appears there is a widening “satisfaction gap” in the profession.

A recent study of NC lawyers shows that while more lawyers are happier with their lives, it appears there is a widening “satisfaction gap” in the profession.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Liberty, Self-Limitation, and COVID-19

John Sean Doyle on May 26, 2020

The greatness of a people living together with freedom is seen in the responsibility they share with one another for society. It is in the respect they show for each other.

The greatness of a people living together with freedom is seen in the responsibility they share with one another for society. It is in the respect they show for each other.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

7 Things You Can Do During the Pandemic

John Sean Doyle on March 27, 2020

So often, life will hand us facts we’d never wish for. We do not have to like them, but keep looking for what you can control and never let go of the hope that will keep you going.

So often, life will hand us facts we’d never wish for. We do not have to like them, but keep looking for what you can control and never let go of the hope that will keep you going.

Motivation

Presence and Immediacy

John Sean Doyle on February 8, 2020

While the world will always be too big and complex for us to comprehend, it is something we can embrace, and in doing so, we'll find meaning in one another.

While the world will always be too big and complex for us to comprehend, it is something we can embrace, and in doing so, we'll find meaning in one another.

Loneliness

Building Community and Overcoming Loneliness

John Sean Doyle on September 22, 2019

We are suffering from a crisis in loneliness. However, there are things we can do today to build rich lives full of love, joy, mutual respect, and connection.

We are suffering from a crisis in loneliness. However, there are things we can do today to build rich lives full of love, joy, mutual respect, and connection.

Humor

Look for the Humor; Look for the Humanity

John Sean Doyle on April 19, 2019

We have everything on this earth that we need to make life worth living. Here's how to go out and find it.

We have everything on this earth that we need to make life worth living. Here's how to go out and find it.

Friends

Building Nurturant Friendships

John Sean Doyle on March 20, 2019

Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and take action to start building nurturant friendships.

Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and take action to start building nurturant friendships.

Health

This Year, Make At Least One New Friend

John Sean Doyle on February 18, 2019

The single greatest risk to our personal health and wellbeing is loneliness. Starting this week, set for yourself a challenge: Make at least one close, new friend.

The single greatest risk to our personal health and wellbeing is loneliness. Starting this week, set for yourself a challenge: Make at least one close, new friend.

Happiness

10 Questions for the New Year

John Sean Doyle on January 22, 2019

If we want to weave the disparate threads of our being into something authentic to who we are, we must ask questions with a certain "heartfulness."

If we want to weave the disparate threads of our being into something authentic to who we are, we must ask questions with a certain "heartfulness."

Play

Bringing More Play Into Life

John Sean Doyle on September 26, 2018

You are probably doing too much. Take time to play. Your life is worth it.

You are probably doing too much. Take time to play. Your life is worth it.

Happiness

Getting Stuff Done

John Sean Doyle on August 24, 2018

Getting things done is not the most glamorous of well-being strategies, or the most exciting or complete. But sometimes it's what we need to give ourselves a boost.

Getting things done is not the most glamorous of well-being strategies, or the most exciting or complete. But sometimes it's what we need to give ourselves a boost.

Happiness

Increasing Happiness Through Shifting Perspectives

John Sean Doyle on April 30, 2018

So often the world does not behave as we have come to hope and expect. If we pay attention to the broader context of our lives, we just might find other paths to happiness.

So often the world does not behave as we have come to hope and expect. If we pay attention to the broader context of our lives, we just might find other paths to happiness.

Happiness

Finding Meaning

John Sean Doyle on March 26, 2018

There are simple actions you can take every day to help discover a sense of meaning and purpose, and to dramatically improve the real and affective quality of your life.

There are simple actions you can take every day to help discover a sense of meaning and purpose, and to dramatically improve the real and affective quality of your life.

Happiness

Changing the Narrative (Part 2)

John Sean Doyle on February 13, 2018

We never know when we are going to affect someone in big and meaningful ways—for the better, or for the worse. As such, keep putting the good stuff out there, again and again.

We never know when we are going to affect someone in big and meaningful ways—for the better, or for the worse. As such, keep putting the good stuff out there, again and again.

Deception

Changing the Narrative (Part 1)

John Sean Doyle on January 23, 2018

Often the stories we tell ourselves, ignore how brave we’ve been. Too often they neglect the healing and growth that is possible. We are more than the stories we tell.

Often the stories we tell ourselves, ignore how brave we’ve been. Too often they neglect the healing and growth that is possible. We are more than the stories we tell.

Career

Work as a Calling (Part 2)

John Sean Doyle on September 11, 2017

Regardless of the mission of our organization, our job function, or the various tasks we must do, we all have opportunities to affect the lives of others in meaningful ways.

Regardless of the mission of our organization, our job function, or the various tasks we must do, we all have opportunities to affect the lives of others in meaningful ways.