Life Journal

There’s a true story behind this idea, and it begins in 18th-century France. Denis Diderot, a philosopher and writer, lived a modest life for many years. Money was often tight, and his possessions reflected that simplicity. Then something unexpected happened.Empress Catherine the Great of Russia purchased Diderot’s entire library, paying him generously and even allowing […]

There’s a strange thing that happens when a person tries to change a habit. At the beginning, the mind feels fired up with determination. You’re convinced: this time I’m stopping for good. The conviction feels unshakeable. You feel powerful, in control, almost reborn. But slowly, the old habit starts whispering again.A quiet urge, a familiar