WEDNESDAY WISDOM

The Secret to Holiday Happiness

Julia Rocque

Published on: 12/24/2025

Explore how adjusting expectations and embracing acceptance can lead to a happier holiday season. Learn how to focus on what you can control for more joy and less stress.

The Key to Happiness

Julia Rocque

Published on: 11/22/2023

Happiness is often influenced by the equation: Expectations - Reality = Level of Happiness. While we can't change reality, we can adjust our expectations to find greater peace and joy. Byron Katie’s wisdom reminds us, "When we fight with reality, we lose. But only every time." Instead of focusing on others’ behavior, we can raise our own standards, modeling the behavior we wish to see—especially with teens. This Thanksgiving, boost your happiness by lowering expectations of others and raising expectations of yourself.