So many people say to me, “Why is what I can’t have more appealing than what I can have?” The answer is easy: Wanting what you can’t have is the easy way out. In other words, fantasy is often preferable … Continue reading
Author Archives: D3 Support
Syria vs. the Waning Superpower
Should the U.S. intervene in Syria? The proper standard for military intervention is: What serves the interests of the nation? If the nation defending its interests supports individual rights—and is the government of a free, democratic republic—then by definition such … Continue reading
Rushing: What’s the Point? (DE Wave)
The wonderful ‘shoulder season’ is just around the corner! The weather is still great, but the crowds are (mostly) gone. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, you probably came here because of a desire to take things slower. Why … Continue reading
As With the Highway, So With Life
The conventional ‘wisdom’ suggests that self-interest destroys a society; and self-sacrifice preserves it. Let’s apply this idea to daily life. When I’m driving on a highway, I’m counting not only on my own sense of self-interest and self-preservation, but also … Continue reading
Childhood Issues? What to Do?
Dear Dr. Hurd: I know that you focus on present issues, not childhood issues. But sometimes childhood issues are alive and ‘well’ in the present. Let me give you a couple of examples. Ever since I was very young (my … Continue reading
Why Some Achieve and Some Don’t
A reader asks: Why are some people achievers while others are not? It all depends on what you value, and how well you internalize what you value. At root of it all is a value of your life. If you … Continue reading
Aristotle: A Beautiful Mind
Aristotle: ‘Those who assert that the mathematical sciences say nothing of the beautiful or the good are in error. For these sciences say and prove a great deal about them; if they do not expressly mention them, but prove attributes … Continue reading
College … It’s the New High School
White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said at a White House briefing on Tuesday that President Barack Obama believes America needs ‘to fundamentally rethink and reshape’ its higher education system and the he will be going on a bus … Continue reading
Obama-logic and the “Right” to Health Insurance
CNSNews.com reports: President Barack Obama said in his weekly address on Saturday that in the United States of America health insurance is now ‘your right.’ ‘So I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to make sure this law … Continue reading
Is PTSD a Medical Disease? (DE Coast Press)
I regularly receive letters and emails asking me about post-traumatic stress disorder; predominately an issue for military personnel returning from active duty. While everybody agrees that some people certainly do suffer from PTSD, I’m often asked if others might be … Continue reading
The Librarian’s Ugly Hat Trick
The Hudson Falls NY Post-Star reports the following on 8/15/13: Tyler Weaver calls himself ‘the king of the reading club’ at Hudson Falls [NY] Public Library. But now it seems Hudson Falls Public Library Director Marie Gandron wants to end … Continue reading
“Victim Think” Not Good for the “Victim” (DE Wave)
People often ask me, ‘What does a psychotherapist do? What happens in psychotherapy? The short answer is that we help people identify what’s bothering them about other people in their lives, and help them figure out how to change the … Continue reading