‘I have no expectations.’ Or, ‘I didn’t know what to expect.’ (The implication being that ‘I had no expectations.’) People say this a lot. And they generally believe it when they say it; but it still cannot be true. Why … Continue reading
Nearly everyone seems to agree that self-confidence is a good thing. But few ever take the time to define it; or even ask what it is. The idea ‘self-confidence’ implies confidence OF something or IN something. The obvious implication is … Continue reading
How many times today will somebody ask you how you’re feeling? It seems like feeling good should be the primary goal of our human experience. But in fact it’s not. Wait ‘ before you turn the page, think about it: … Continue reading
Barely a day goes by when somebody doesn’t ask me how much they should blame their parents for problems that might have arisen in childhood. No matter what the specific issue, my response is always the same: Hold your parents … Continue reading
One of the biggest falsehoods of our day is that freedom is based on faith. In politics and culture more broadly, we are constantly given a choice: Traditional, faith-based freedom (think: Sarah Palin); or modern, supposedly sophisticated and scientific government … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: What is it that happens to us mentally as we mature, that the mystique of events and accomplishments lose meaning and that emotional passionate edge we felt in our youth doesn’t ignite us any longer? For example, … Continue reading
A 2009 study of psychotherapy patients in the U.S. and Great Britain found that many patients are “subjected to a kind of dim-sum approach — a little of this, a little of that, much of it derived more from the … Continue reading
From Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: Have you ever looked for the root of production? Take a look at an electric generator and dare tell yourself that it was created by the muscular effort of unthinking brutes. Try to grow a … Continue reading
People say this all the time: ‘I know, intellectually, that such-and-such is true. But I don’t feel it.’ The next question is usually, ‘How can I make myself feel it?’ This is what reasonable people often expect a psychotherapist to … Continue reading
Backing for new gun-control laws is slipping as more time elapses following the Newtown, Conn., shootings in December, according to a new CBS News poll. The survey of 1,181 adults, conducted March 20-24, shows that 47 percent of Americans think … Continue reading
Barely a day goes by that somebody isn’t grousing about the Rehoboth Beach parking meters. Though they have yet to come alive for the 2013 season, locals are already figuring out ways to minimize their contact with the infernal little … Continue reading
When it comes to gay marriage, the leftists are right—for the wrong reasons, as usual. And the conservatives are just plain wrong—as usual. Let’s try applying reason and rationality to this issue, just once. May we, please? The purpose of … Continue reading