Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. – Joseph Addison
Three Grand Essentials (Joseph Addison)
Author Archives: D3 Support
“Escapism”
A reader asked for my comments on the psychology of ‘escapism.’ I’ve always found ‘escapism’ an interesting, if not misleading, concept. Usually, the term implies a value judgment. ‘You’re running away from something you should face, and that’s bad.’ Of … Continue reading
What’s Wrong With People?
A reader writes: Once I asked my daughter (12 years old at the time) what she would do if she were stranded alone on a deserted island (I was looking for some drive in her). She said she would die. … Continue reading
Government Meltdown
The ‘government shutdown’ is really a crisis for career politicians and their dependents, more than anyone else. However, the issue runs deeper than that. At stake in the ongoing government fiscal crisis is the future of the entitlement mentality. The … Continue reading
Sexual Fraud (DE Coast Press)
A reader emails about her friend who is divorced from a man who was somewhat abusive and narcissistic. Her friend enjoys being with her new boyfriend because he is kind to her. However, the reader’s friend confides in her that … Continue reading
Iran’s “Smiley Campaign” and Why It Matters
“I will tell the truth in the face of the sweet talk and the onslaught of smiles.’ So says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He’s responding to the ‘smiley campaign’ of Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani. Last week at the … Continue reading
Can you mix business with friendship? (DE Wave)
There’s a saying that suggests that you should never do business with friends. I received an email from a reader who did business here locally with a friend, and now there are problems with the expensive item she purchased. The … Continue reading
Harry Reid’s Conspiracy Theory
On the floor of the U.S. Senate last Friday [9/27/13], Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) said that ‘a very wealthy group of people’ are backing the Tea Party in what Reid described as an ‘effort to destroy our government.’ … Continue reading
After the Affair…Now What?
Dear Dr. Hurd: I’m trying to understand why I recently had an affair. My wife found out and it hurt her greatly, as well as humiliating me. Can you help me understand why I did this? I’m not looking for … Continue reading
Self-Respect
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others. — Marcus Aurelius … Continue reading
Post-Trauma: Best to Talk About It, or Not?
Dear Dr. Hurd: I work in the Washington Navy Yard, the scene of the recent shooting. I understand the reasons why I’m physically feeling the way I am (sleeping poorly, eyes scratchy, throat feels like I’m holding back tears, chest … Continue reading
Obamacare Catastrophe: Take 1
The centerpiece of President Obama’s new health law is a collection of government-sponsored insurance exchanges, in which people who shop for coverage on their own can purchase health insurance, and gain a taxpayer-funded subsidy if their income is low enough. … Continue reading