FLS Classic Articles

FLS Classics

Flourishing Life Society:

Beginning in 2010, I began my research on wellness. I spent several months contemplating the name for a Facebook group to post findings and motivational thoughts. By 2011, I began a web page under the same title. I moved the page to a new server a few years later, losing many of the first articles.

Over the years, my research has refocused. My early writings were more philosophical than theory backed research. Some early articles I love, others I don't. I rotate the classic selections regularly. Enjoy your wellness journey!

A sampling of early FLS postings:

A Flourishing Life Article link. A Quiet Life of Desperation

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Balancing Life's Opposing Demands

FLS internal Link. Abandonment or Engulfment: Partners will inevitably face a mismatch in attachment styles. The difference doesn't matter as much as how the couple approaches and works through the difference.

We can't force emotions to comply with our demands. We must take a subtle approach.

Freedom of choice is earned through mulling over possibilities, evaluating conflicting data and then determining a course of action.

Internal Link. Building Love: Love is created not found. We naturally are attracted; but from attraction we build lasting love.

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Cognitive Dissonance

Intimacy requires more than attraction. Intimacy is the crowning reward to dedicated attention to the person we love.

Internal Link: Cause of Sorrows

Flourishing Life Society Article Link. Cycle of Personal Growth.

A Flourishing Life Society link. Coping with Avoidance

Intimate communication. A flourishing life Society article link

some emotions overtake are ability to react appropriately, interfering with goals.

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Feeling Felt and validation of emotions

Flourishing Life Society Link. Empathy in Relationships

Dreams catapult us into productive futures; but only when those dreams are realistic. When they are not, we fail.

When we expertly greet our child's emotions with empathy, acceptance and reciprocation, the child develops a positive relationship with their own feelings--a major contribution to healthy living.

The present offers some fabulous gifts; but sometimes (often) we should pass and work towards a better future.

We must fight stagnation by reaching beyond comfort zone and doing something challenging.

We can change; it's just not easy. Forces pull us in many directions, usually following a set trajectory, moving in the same direction as before. We can adjust but must do so with confidence and skill.

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Fear of Failure

A flourishing Life Society article link. Emotional Overload

FLS Link. Entangled relationships

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Feeling Lonely. An article on loneliness

Dependence gets a bad rap. Healthy connections are built with interdependence on each other; the security is founded in trust.

Flourishing Life Society article link. I love you; You're Free to Leave. Loving someone includes respect; respect of their space, privacy, and freedom. Sometimes loving requires painful good-byes

I'm Okay; You're Okay. Normal Ups and Downs. A Flourishing Life Society Link

We, like the acorn, have great potential. We, unlike the acorn, are empowered beyond our environments. We can create environments that gives more of the nutrients and protection that we need.

Human Growth. Healthy Transformations. A Flourishing Life Society article image header

We worry. Thinking about the future is an adaptive response to complex problems; we prepare and we avoid. But too much worry interferes with constructive action. We even worry about our worrying.

We are either growing or decaying. We don't remain idle.

Happy All the Time. Experiencing a Whole Spectrum of Emotion. A Flourishing Life Society article link

Instead of lying, do what is right. By establishing a habit of openness, we not only build trust but we are motivated to not screw up.

Link: Our capitalistic society drives a digging sense that we are not sufficient; we need more. We can grow without the gnawing pain of being incomplete. We fight this with gratitude.

We cannot change without awareness of what needs to be changed. Little deceptions creep in and hide pertinent information.

Imperfect Bonds. Finding Joy through imperfect relationships. A Flourishing Life Society article link

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Legacy of Love

Love at first sight is a fairy tale. The first look may knock our socks off; But real love takes work.

When life overwhelms and our efforts fall flat, we sometimes learn to not fight, and quietly suffer.

Living a virtuous life is never accomplished in perfection; we integrate ethical standards one small step at a time.

The instant attachment, finding a soul mate, sounds like a fairy tale; but often is laced with hidden problems. Take it slow.

Relationships are complicated and can't be forced. Many fear connection.

The Law of Consistency. A Flourishing Life Society article link

link: Life Lessons

Over simplified explanations of life compound our future problems.

FLS Links. Personal Preferences. Dislike without disrespect

Flourishing Life Society Link. Memory: Memories aren't perfect. They form to fit our beliefs, limiting learning and encouraging justifications.

Our thoughts propel us into fruitful and prepared futures, but they also can haunt our peaceful moments with worry and guilt. By mindful attentiveness to the nature of our thoughts we can gain the benefits and limit the harm.

Memories and Emotions. How Memories Impact Wellness. A Flourishing Life Society article link

Link: The Need to Please. The choice between self and others is the basic human dilemma. There is no final answer, finding balance requires constant appraisal and adjustments.

Flourishing Life Society article link. Over Analyzing

A Flourishing Life Society Link. Relationship Anxiety

Mindful examination of the two internal guidance systems behind our action can refine errant predictions and misguided reactions.

Internal Link: The Sole Cause of Our Sorrow

Flourishing Life Society article Link. Refuse to give up on Love- The hurt of broken love lingers, creating new difficulties and interfering protections. We can overcome these barriers and love again.

Shortcuts to happiness may escape pain; but the temporary relief often has a high cost of long-term trouble.

FLS Link: The Right to Happiness. Living with Joy

A Flourishing Life Society article link. Shared Emotions

Life is complex. Rhymes and quotes have limited effectiveness to explain complexities. We need to dig a little deeper.

Traumatic pasts place strain on the present. If finding love has been painful, we begin to respond defensively with new prospects. We can reprogram and graciously and intimately love.

Wisdom to Know. The Serenity Prayer and Acceptance. A Flourishing Life Society article image link

FLS Link. Ten Signs to leave a person after a few dates.

There is a lot of hype on what we should and shouldn't do to be well. The mind and experience are complex. However, our lives improve immensely when we concentrate on a few of the basics.

The consequences of better choices don't immediately change our lives. We must trudge through the beginnings of change, and slowly the improved action accumulates and we receive our reward.

Drawing wisdom from Experience

Life is complex, not easily described in words. True wisdom comes from accepting the messiness in the unknowable world.

Sometimes careful scrutiny of failures and setbacks gives wisdom, other times nothing. We must take what we can, gather strength and move forward, accepting life for what it is.

The physical biology of the brain builds memories and habits into the connections that are resistant to change. We, however, can change the firing, abandoning unhealthy patterns for new ways of life.