Paula R. Baines
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6/29/2026 Have you heard the following being said? “Oh, my God, what were you thinking?!” “I cannot believe you said that out loud.” “Wow, how can you not be embarrassed?” What is sad is that I have said to myself over the years. You have said some similar things to yourself. I am conscientious about… Read more
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06/23/2026 Joy can be found in the simplest pleasures, yet we also can create joy for ourselves. Have you given that much thought? Neither had I, and many of us don’t. Think about your daily life. We face and handle numerous family responsibilities, work deadlines, and volunteer commitments, all which are expected of us. … Read more
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Last week I shared how anxiety impacts our minds and bodies. If there is any ounce of doubt, anxiety can worm in with questions about self-worth and whether we deserve love at all. In the end, anxiety can become very destructive. As I was diving into the topic of self-love, I came across this quote… Read more
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June 9, 2026 Have you ever met a thief so adept at stealing what is yours, yet you are bound by worry and anxiety and are not able to fight back? Anxiety is that thief, and it steals your brilliance. Anxiety creeps in like a thief – it attacks, it talks, it distracts, and it… Read more
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June 3, 2026 What is hope? Hope is defined as a sense of a certain future that can be achieved. In order to achieve this, individuals need to feel a sense of agency. Hope contributes to our well-being and happiness which motivates positive action. A published study in Health Economics defines hope as the determination… Read more
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5/25/2026 Have you ever felt contentment? What does it feel like for you? As I noted in my two previous blogs, happiness can be elusive; the more we chase it, the more it can slip away. Yet, there is a growing body of research that shows that, though contentment is different from happiness, it is… Read more
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May 18, 2026 Do you remember the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It?” It was sung often when I was a child, and as a parent, I often sung it with my children. The first stanza of lyrics for the song are: If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands,If you’re… Read more
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May 11, 2026 Many experts describe happiness as a complex state that can include contentment, joy, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. Psychologists often define it as a mix of positive emotions and overall life satisfaction. I have found in my research that there are three main differing views on happiness: Jeremy Sutton, Ph.D. wrote… Read more
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May 4, 2026 Recently my husband dropped off some items to our local trash/recycle center and swap shop. As he drove into our driveway afterwards, he got out of the truck holding up something. From the living room window, I could not tell what it was. He walked into our house. I could see by… Read more
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April 26, 2026 Do you believe there are enough resources? Do you believe there are opportunities and success for you and others? Are you generous in giving your time, energy and sharing contacts and resources? Are you grateful for the things that you have in your life? Do you look forward to collaborating with others?… Read more
Curious and Creative 