River is an independent writer and consultant. With a Master's degree in teaching English as a second language from Ball State University. She lived in Japan for 15 years teaching and editing. Now based in the U.S., she works for a variety of clients. Published work can be found in print, online at various websites, and at goarticles.com. River blogs about writing, design, cooking, pets and thoughts about life.
River Lin Updated: February 6, 2017 Love
“Love is never having to say you are sorry” (Snoopy). “Love is like a friendship caught on fire” (Bruce Lee). “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet” (Plato)…
Love is the theme of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is all about this mystical, amazing, intoxicating thing we call love. It is the designated time to show the object of our loves just how much we love them. We do this by buying sweet things, red things, pretty things, and sexy things. We do this by going out, staying in, making something special and saying “I love you.” Do we really need a specific day dedicated to love? Apparently we do. And that day is February 14 – every year – Valentine’s Day…
River Lin Updated: January 19, 2016 Philosophy
Why am I here? What is the meaning of all of this? What is my purpose? Have you ever asked these kinds of questions? Finding our purpose in life is a search that some of us take part in all through life. Others only think about it from time to time, and then there are some who never really think about it at all. Self-awareness and clarity of purposeful vision come in cyclical layers. In other words, we have answers that lead to new questions that offer new insights that propel us to new questions that open up epiphanies that inspire more questions. You see, the discovery of oneself is always unfolding and forever perplexing and new. We are all somewhere on this spiral journey, consciously traveling or not. Whether you know your life’s purpose, have some idea but aren’t quite sure, or are at a complete loss regarding this question, this article is designed for you…
River Lin Updated: January 15, 2016 Mental Health
Existential therapy is a form of psychological counseling that is rooted in the ideals and philosophies of existentialism. Because existentialism is the philosophy of basic human existence, the therapeutic methods of existential therapy aim to bring the patient to an individual place of acceptance of the way things are, in particular, his or her existence…
River Lin Updated: November 5, 2015 Events
What is the meaning of Thanksgiving? This American holiday has become a part of our collective traditions. Holidays are not only a time for festive feasts and merry-making; they also serve as representatives of a nation’s identity. So when we ask, What is the meaning of Thanksgiving, we are also considering who we are. Therefore, this question really concerns what Thanksgiving says about the traits and qualities of Americans. Who are we? And how does Thanksgiving embody our collective identity?
River Lin Updated: October 2, 2014 Philosophy
I recall an introductory Anthropology class which began with the early human societies we refer to as “hunting and gathering” societies. What most affected me from that class was the idea that those peoples’ sole purpose in life was survival…
River Lin Updated: October 2, 2014 Philosophy
Have you ever wondered why you are here? Why on earth? Why alive? Why do we exist at all? When I was a why-asking toddler, I am sure I drove my parents nuts. I wanted to know why, why, why for everything. Why do I have to go to sleep? Why can’t I have more ice cream? Why do mosquitoes bite? Why is today Sunday? The list was endless as every answer inspired more questions…
River Lin Updated: October 2, 2014 Philosophy
Existential psychology is, in my opinion, the most profound of all psychologies because it deals with the most elemental and basic of all human experiences: our very existence. Existential psychology deals with human existence and our reaction to that existence as the basis of all human experience…
