The simple truth is that happiness is not found in having all the love, security and recognition you can possibly have. It is found by balancing those three ideals based on who you are, based on your own needs.

"Dream deep," I heard a voice say warmly, like an old aunt sitting and knitting on the front porch.

Oh, I'm a gold star junkie. I always want to see those gold stars stuck to the top of my homework. I crave praise, appreciation, recognition. But it's not always easy to dole out those gold stars in an effective way. Here are seven tips.

When very strong emotions -- like fear, anger, or jealousy -- come up, it's very hard to resist giving up and giving into them.

We are shifting from a global culture of consumers, whether for material wealth or power or spiritual states, to a culture of contribution.

Our distaste for good-byes is a reminder of our unfathomable mutual dependence. An individual self cannot come into being, let alone endure, absent the recognition of others.

Every year, I look forward to the Oscars.But what I never expected from an evening at the Academy Awards was an exquisite example of appreciation in action -- but that's just what I got a few weeks ago.