Can You Be Happy Without Suffering?
Alexander M. Combstrong on suffering, resilience, and choosing growth
Our Big Self writers have realized the shallow limits of self-help from the beginning. Columnist Alexander M. Combstrong is certainly no exception. His balance between making real-life mistakes and the paradox between happiness and suffering are themes he continues returning to.
Here’s to the kind of growth that rises up through the struggle! May this letter find you in choppy waters. Why? The only way to really know is to read on.
You Were Learning When You Messed Up Your Life
Our best lessons can be the most painful ones. “It’s okay to mess up,” writes Combstrong, as he details one of the closest calls in his life. Read the full article here.
Messing Up Your 20s? Welcome to Your Second Act.
Second acts, in both storytelling and in life, often start the same way: a complete and utter mess. Sound familiar? Read the full story here.
Fill Your Life With Happiness and Success With a Beautiful Skill You Already Own
You’ve already got a skill that’s been shown over and over again to make you more successful and happy. The skill (spoiler alert) is kindness. But not all kindnesses are the same. Read the full article here.
The Irony of a Happy Mind: Treat Your Life Like a Big Buffet of Suffering
Almost nothing can keep a human being happy. So, is there any hope? How does a person strive for as much happiness as is reasonable? The answer may surprise you. Read the full article here.
The Undeniable Benefits of Self-Sabotage
Self-sabotage comes up a lot in the world of self-improvement. It’s hard to improve when the person holding us back is us. The question is why? And how can we sometimes arrive at a more authentic self by some honest self-examination? Read the full article here.
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Chad and the Big Self Team
