News about the good life, front-line aging insights and a slug.

Psychologically rich living starts now.

Ain’t life grand!

You doing okay? Seems any of three paths could get you to a “yes” on that question. Your route could be a …

• Happy life, with you pursuing comfort, satisfaction and joy while eschewing sadness
• Meaningful life, where you hold to purpose, connection and your dedication to improving the world
• Psychologically rich life in which you thrive through “a variety of interesting and perspective-changing experiences”

That third idea — newer than the others — comes from The University of Chicago’s Shigehiro Oishi's research. It describes a life marked by encounters with the new and novel, perspective-shifting insights and complexity, and more discomfort and challenges than found in a happy life or a meaningful life. Call it an interesting life: sometimes good, once in a while bad, occasionally growing, here and there stumped — but no matter what, it’s a grand ride that’s got your full attention. Full Story >>

Living alone without loneliness.

Socialization may be a universal wellness key, but crowds aren’t for everybody. “I retreated into staying home more. … Sounds crazy, but I feel safe inside my heart and soul and mind.” For some older adults, well-being might be met in a garden, with a curled-up cat, or in a sunny spot face-deep a book. “I can finally concentrate on myself and my own needs. It is exhilarating, and I totally love it.” Insights collected by BuzzFeed. Full Story >>

Aging is natural. Accepting it takes work.

“It's not just that changes to health, cognitive abilities and mobility crop up as people age,” says 82-year-old clinical psychologist and aging specialist Erlene Rosowsky. “One’s sense of self often changes as people leave a longtime career, and relationships alter as friends move away or die. But … people can adjust.” Because they aren’t there yet, adult children may struggle to understand what their aging parents face. For them, tips include:

• Slow down and listen
• Close the gap between what you think they need and what they think they need
• Curb your exasperation
• Protect their health safety without swaddling-like restrictions
• Ask them to tell you their stories

Ding-dong slime.

In Germany, an apartment’s residents were kept up all night by non-stop doorbell ringing. Suspecting the classic klingelstreich, a.k.a. ding-dong ditch, they alerted authorities, leading to an intensive investigation. What the police discovered was one dopey nacktschnecke — a slug — slowly sliming its way across the door-button entry plate, activating doorbells throughout the building. The impertinent but happy slug was removed, and order restored. But if you’re up all night, worrisome bells ding-donging in your head for your sluggish lead generation and conversions, don’t call the cops. Call Rally, and you’ll soon be sleeping soundly again. Full Story >>