Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death, of the sorrow they should feel for their sins, and of the necessity of changing their lives. The practice, which dates from the early Middle Ages, is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Episcopalians, and many Lutherans; it was also adopted by some Methodists and Presbyterians in the 1990s.
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News flash: You can buy happiness
Article Comments (12) JUDITH TIMSON
From Monday's Toronto Globe and Mail
February 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM EST
Whether we like it or not, most of us (well, I guess all of us) are now in the middle of a massive reappraisal of what we should be spending our money on, both as a society and as individuals. So this newsflash may be of interest: Spending money on things will not make us nearly as happy as spending it on experiences.
That's the conclusion of Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University. According to Prof. Howell's survey of 154 people aged 19 to 50, once our basic needs - housing, food, job - have been met, we'll get more joy for our buck by going to a ball game or taking in a night at the theatre or even going on a modest vacation than, say, buying the latest flat-screen TV.
Mind you, I've heard close relatives rhapsodically compare their massive flat-screen TVs to the promised land. But as Prof. Howell explained in one interview, "it's not that material things don't bring any happiness. It's just that they don't bring as much ...You're happy with a new television set. But you're thrilled with a vacation."
The novelty of any new possession inevitably wears off and, as you age, the fevers of acquisition do burn out. To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever said on her deathbed, "I just wish I'd had more cashmere sweaters." (I do wish that, but I am not planning to die at the moment.)
No, they turn to a loved one and whisper, "Remember that sunset over the Bay of Fundy, when we saw the whales?" Experiences not only invigorate you, they provide what Prof. Howell calls "dividends on your investment" - otherwise known as memories.
jtimson@globeandmail.com
Third Age
Wackiness Rules
Posted February 24, 2009 11:21 PM
Posted in wackiness
Convinced the human race is totally wacko? Here are some signs of the times in support of such a view. An example is the hotel-provided shower cap in a box labeled: "Fits one head."
Others spotted include:
On a chainsaw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands."
On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
On an packet of nuts served by an airline: "Instructions: open packet, eat nuts."
On some frozen dinners: "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
On packaging for an electronic iron: "Do not iron clothes on body."
On Nytol, a sleep aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
On a Korean-made kitchen knife: "Warning keep out of children."
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Phil and Jo Ann Edin
Article Comments (12) JUDITH TIMSON
From Monday's Toronto Globe and Mail
February 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM EST
Whether we like it or not, most of us (well, I guess all of us) are now in the middle of a massive reappraisal of what we should be spending our money on, both as a society and as individuals. So this newsflash may be of interest: Spending money on things will not make us nearly as happy as spending it on experiences.
That's the conclusion of Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University. According to Prof. Howell's survey of 154 people aged 19 to 50, once our basic needs - housing, food, job - have been met, we'll get more joy for our buck by going to a ball game or taking in a night at the theatre or even going on a modest vacation than, say, buying the latest flat-screen TV.
Mind you, I've heard close relatives rhapsodically compare their massive flat-screen TVs to the promised land. But as Prof. Howell explained in one interview, "it's not that material things don't bring any happiness. It's just that they don't bring as much ...You're happy with a new television set. But you're thrilled with a vacation."
The novelty of any new possession inevitably wears off and, as you age, the fevers of acquisition do burn out. To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever said on her deathbed, "I just wish I'd had more cashmere sweaters." (I do wish that, but I am not planning to die at the moment.)
No, they turn to a loved one and whisper, "Remember that sunset over the Bay of Fundy, when we saw the whales?" Experiences not only invigorate you, they provide what Prof. Howell calls "dividends on your investment" - otherwise known as memories.
jtimson@globeandmail.com
Third Age
Wackiness Rules
Posted February 24, 2009 11:21 PM
Posted in wackiness
Convinced the human race is totally wacko? Here are some signs of the times in support of such a view. An example is the hotel-provided shower cap in a box labeled: "Fits one head."
Others spotted include:
On a chainsaw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands."
On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
On an packet of nuts served by an airline: "Instructions: open packet, eat nuts."
On some frozen dinners: "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
On packaging for an electronic iron: "Do not iron clothes on body."
On Nytol, a sleep aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
On a Korean-made kitchen knife: "Warning keep out of children."
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Phil and Jo Ann Edin
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