Thanks to all of you who have requested an audio version of my bestselling book A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness!

Now you can listen while you drive, walk, clean, relax or even tune out others around you.

Cost is $24.99

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People-watching, celebrity-spotting acceptable pastime in airports

So, what do YOU think? Is people-watching OK at the airport?

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

How do YOU deal with awkward situations around the holidays?

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What you eat is affected by the color of your plate. An interesting article in the WSJ reviewed two recent studies that showed the affect of colors on how much we serve ourselves at a meal.

For those of you who like the bottom line, this is what they found.

If the color of the food was similar to the color of the plate, people tended to serve themselves more. Translation: more turkey and mashed potatoes on a white plate as compared to a pasta and marinara (OK, now I’m hungry!)

But things changed when there was a contrast in color between the plate and the tablecloth. Specifically, if the plate was, for example, white and the tablecloth was black, then people served themselves more- about 10% larger portions.

So what is the take home, especially around the holidays?

1. Use smaller plates: although it was not studied here, lots of other research shows this results in less consumption
2. Contrast your food and your plate: perhaps a blue plate would be helpful (unless you are planning on eating blue food)
3. Keep your plates a similar color as your tablecloth, placements or even table

And, of course, eat mindfully so that you enjoy each morsel you consume.

Want more info? Watch this video on how to reduce stress related to your weight over the holidays.

And let us know how it works for you!

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Gonna Jump? Take a Parachute!

Dave is a businessman and humanitarian whose service to others is amazing. When you meet Dave, you just want to hug him (he is one of those people).

I met Dave during a rough time. His 40-year career in commercial real estate was coming to an end. Most people probably would have felt depressed and helpless. But not Dave. Despite his fears, he maintained his faith and persevered. The result is a life of much gratitude and (after just checking on Amazon.com), a bestselling book.

The subtitle of Gonna Jump? Take a Parachute! is

Harnessing your Power of Choice

The book really centers on how to create the best life you can, regardless of what is going on.

He distinguished between separate “cords” (of the parachute) and discusses:

1. The Spiritual Cord
2. The Mental Fitness and Function Cord
3. The Physical Fitness Cord
4. The Vital Health Cord
5. The Emotional Well-Being Cord
6. The Relationships Cord
7. The Financial Independence Cord
8. The Fun Cord!

Order Dave’s book- you will enjoy the read. And of you buy it today (Monday November 21, 2011) and email your receipt to Dave at  RethinkAge.com you’ll get some cool bonuses.

Read Gonna Jump? Take a Parachute! and be an even happier you!

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My virtual friend Linda Wasmer Andrews (translation: a writer with whom I love to work but have never actually met) wrote a terrific article on 10 tips to manage work-at-home stress. You can read the entire article by clicking here.

Some of my favorites include:

• Establish boundaries: this includes time and location. Have set hours when you are “on” and others when you are “off.” And stick to them. In addition, have a space that is devoted to work.

• Meet with colleagues: Yes, it is amazing what we can do with technology, but we are still social beings. Spending time with real people in real life helps reduce stress, increase happiness and feel more connected (not to mention the great ideas you can come up with when you are chatting).

• Get a babysitter: It will help you focus on work and be more productive so when you switch to mommy role you can be completely focused on your family .

• Count your blessings: Yes, there are many challenges that a home office can provide, but there are also many advantages. My office is on the second floor, up a back set of stairs that goes right up to my door. On many mornings, I joke to myself about the traffic I face during my commute (often a pair of my daughter’s pink shoes).

For all those out there who have a home office, what works best for you to reduce your stress? Let us know so we all can benefit.

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Well, I was just reading an article Mel wrote for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, a conference I used to attend when I lived in PA. They always have great speakers, and I find the women in the audience are terrific too.

The title of Mel’s article was “The Social Responsibility to be SELFISH.” In it, she writes that, when asking a group of several thousand women what they wanted to do, the overwhelming response was “make a difference in the world.”

In contrast, she says, “I was with Donald Trump a few weeks ago, and had the opportunity to ask a room full men the same question. Their answer? “Make a million bucks,” “Sell a company,” “Invent a product.”

She goes on to say,

“This is no clash of the sexes, we all have the same selfish desire: we just want to feel good.”

THAT is what we are all achieving: a greater sense of fulfillment, meaning in our lives.

And when we set goals that address these needs, we are more motivated, more successful and so much happier.

So, what can you do: today, tomorrow and this year, to achieve your goal to feel good? How can you help others as you work towards that goal? How can you apply your values and strengths to make this world a better place: whether it be on an individual or global basis?

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Why is he acting like that?

Anger can be a sign of depression for men

I was called in to help a rather senior executive who had been having some issues with the staff. Specifically, HR shared a few incidents when he had been less-than-kind to some of his team members.

While some may jump to the conclusion “they guy is just a  _______!” I find more often than not there is some alternate underlying reason such behavior.

And in this case, as it is not uncommon, the man was struggling with depression.

While twice as common in women as compared to me, depression affects over 9 million men in the United States.

Diagnostic criteria for depression includes depressed mood or lost of interest in activities that you used to enjoy.  There are other symptoms, too, that are required to actually have a diagnosis of depression.

But, men often do not overly say “I am feeling sad.” And, in fact, men with depression often do not realize that is what is happening. Instead, they experience different symptoms that can be indicators of depression.

Here are the top seven symptoms I see in my male clients who are (often unbeknownst to them) suffering with depression:

1. Anger and Irritability: You know that guy who just keeps losing it? It could very well be depression. That was what was happening with this executive.
2. Substance abuse: Self-medication for the uncomfortable and painful feelings they are having is common in men with depression.
3. Physical symptoms: You know the commercial: “depression hurts.”  Well, it really does. And men are more likely than women to report physical problems such as chronic pain (especially in the back and neck) and digestive disorders.
4. Sexual problems: while sexual problems can cause psychological issues in itself, reduced interest in sex and difficulties with performance can be a sign of underlying depression.
5. Fatigue: reports of exhaustion and or problems getting the energy to do something can be caused by depressed mood
6. Problems with sleep: either an inability to sleep or sleeping excessively (e.g., over 12 hours per night) can be an indicator that something is going on with his emotional health
7. Reduced productivity: depression affects your ability to concentrate and take care of what needs to be done (at work or home). It also reduces decisiveness, making it harder to make decisions necessary for work projects, for example.

While these symptoms do not mean someone is depression, they are red flags to explore a little more as to what is happening.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with depression, talk to a professional.  Depression can be debilitating (emotionally, physically, socially, occupationally). But the good news is: it is also treatable.

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