Double Happiness in Shanghai
The world’s most populous nation (1.3 billion people) is looking to raise its birth rate. China is under pressure to relax the country’s one-child policy, begun almost 3 decades ago to support the country’s development. Now there may not be enough young people in the workforce to pay for its aging population and continue economic development. Shanghai is now inviting their citizens to drink from the cup of ‘double happiness’, and to have two children. The unintended consequences of the one-child policy are seen in cities like Shanghai, where almost 20% of the population are senior citizens (twice the national average). Multiple generations of single-children families,

Boundaries: Choosing Change
By Jim Selman | BioWe’ve all experienced a situation—whether in a marriage, friendship or business relationship—where we find ourselves thinking about the other person and saying, “I love you, BUT…”. It’s in that moment we realize a particular behavior of theirs is not acceptable to us and has become a source of stress and resentment. For many, resentment almost always leads to a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior and the eventual destruction of the relationship.I was coaching a friend recently who is in such a dilemma. She is an

Learning and Environmental Choices - Part 2
By Rick Fullerton | BioWhile I don’t have any quick fixes to offer, here are a few ideas that may have potential:1.  As within, so without.  All change begins with me.Recognize that who we are and what we stand for is the starting point for all significant change. Looking inside ourselves to clarify what is important is an essential step. What is our commitment to our children and grandchildren, to future generations and to other species with which we share the planet? How do we balance this commitment to the futur

Learning and Environmental Choices
By Rick Fullerton | BioI continue to be struck by the environmental challenges facing planet earth. With signs of increasing public awareness about the deepening climate crisis, it is gratifying to sense a noticeable shift taking place in my own and others’ behaviour. For instance, I see more and more people supporting recycling programs, choosing Energy Star appliances, and driving fuel efficient cars. And we change our light bulbs! Yet is it enough?At best, such actions represent well-intentioned but relatively modest gestures when view

Wellbeing Study
What leads some people to be healthier than others? Researchers have been studying this question for decades. However, most have focused on disease and disorder. Few have looked at strengths and wellbeing. Aaron Jarden,  Head of the Psychology Department in the School of Information and Social Sciences at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, is leading a study to look at wellbeing in people of all ages from around the world. The objective is to capture a comprehensive picture of what it means to be healthy and to track how people change over time. Study participants complete around 30 minutes of questions every three months for a year (five times in total). Anyone inte