Personal Development

You know that restaurant scene in When Harry Met Sally? No, not that scene. I mean the part where Sally orders her food prepared to minute specifications. I’m starting to do that. I suspect a lot of us are.

Back when I was in college, my schoolwork came pretty easily to me, and like most young men, I thought I had life all figured out.

Four years ago, I got a call that changed my life. It was an invitation to edit this magazine. And, initially, I said no.

Editors are, as a group, given to tinkering. It's part of what makes us good at what we do, and in many ways, an inherent aspect of who we are.

This fall, in the wake of what seemed like a relentless series of hurricanes and earthquakes, something hopeful rose out of all the chaos: our compassion – and with it, perhaps, a clarified sense of perspective.

I don't think anyone would have predicted that I would grow up to be a science geek. I was a dyed-in-the-wool English major pretty much from the time I could read.

That old saying knowledge is power has always rung true with me, particularly when it comes to matters of personal health.

On a flight from New York last week, I was seated next to a 12-year old who was traveling alone. 

Do as I say, not as I do. Anyone whose parents ever tried that line on them knows just how ineffective such directives are likely to be at inspiring good behavior. Kids learn best by example. And, in fact, so do must adults.

One morning a couple of weeks back, I was running by a big plate-glass window in my neighborhood, and something novel happened.

Tired of feeling blue, or just so-so? Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman, PhD, believes you can mentally exercise your way to greater happiness.

This issue's Satisfaction theme immediately brought to mind my favorite film, Fiddler on the Roof .

I used to have this ugly little habit - something I now refer to as looking for trouble.

When I was studying engineering in college, I learned that every material has a stress point.

Every spring, as soon as the mornings get warm enough for me to venture outside, I have this little sunrise routine: Still groggy from bed, I grab a cup of coffee and head out into the backyard.

Outside of establishing the vision for Life Time Fitness, and guiding the company toward it, one of the activities I enjoy most is being a pilot.

My first glimpse into the connection between personal health and planetary health came when I was a little kid, maybe 8 years old.

Over the past several years I've gradually been making changes in the area of green living.