A lot of frustration comes from the way other people act. Most can deal with the weather, but many have a hard time with frustration over dealing with other people, and what you believe or know their mistaken actions to … Continue reading
The more you act on feelings at the expense of reason, the worse you’ll feel — later.
Q: Dr. Hurd, how can I combat social anxiety? People think I’m strange and weird. I wonder if people even regard me as a human being. I feel like such an outcast! I always have. Any ideas? A: You really … Continue reading
To “spoil” a child does not refer to treating the child well. To spoil someone means to create a sense of entitlement where none exists. To spoil a child means to create and maintain the impression in a child that … Continue reading
Nearly everyone says, about anything they deem unpleasant, “There ought to be a law!” For example: “There ought to be a law requiring people not to use their cell phones while driving.” Will the law be enforced? Does it punish … Continue reading
In life, ask for what you want. Don’t expect it, as if you’re entitled — unless you are entitled (i.e. you paid for it, a contract was signed). Don’t refrain from asking unless there’s a valid reason not to do so. … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, I SO agree with you about the ultimate inversion (See The Daily Dose of Reason 7/17/10). My friends, family and lots of seniors totally agree with doing “something about it” other than attending tea parties, but what?? … Continue reading
To not care what other people think, you need an alternative. Your emotions are not enough; they’re not really an alternative at all. A strong alternative to what other people think is the notion of objectivity. Objectivity consists of what … Continue reading
A school district in Massachusetts is reportedly instituting an “honor roll for effort.” In other words, students who are seen as trying hard get on the honor roll even if their performance is mediocre or they fail. For a school … Continue reading
“Cutting spending” — whether in a household or a government — implies value judgments and priorities. Value judgments and priorities imply ideas about what is and is not appropriate for spending. Those who say “we have to cut spending” without … Continue reading
Investor’s Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal and other publications are reporting that businesses are still making profits — perhaps in the trillions, collectively. The problem is, they’re afraid to spend. This includes spending on hiring. Their hope is that … Continue reading
Self-esteem refers to how you feel about yourself. Self-respect refers to how you treat yourself. Many talk a good game about self-esteem. Fewer actually put into practice the ideas that: “life is worthwhile, therefore I am worthwhile and my life … Continue reading