Working for the happiness of others cheats others out of the process of achieving happiness. It conveys to them: “You can’t become happy on your own; you need me.” This denies that happiness is an achievement. If you could somehow … Continue reading
Projection is when you attribute to another person a quality you consider undesirable about yourself. For example, being quick to call Joe a liar when you consider yourself a liar–but won’t admit this fact. Or, being quick to call Mary … Continue reading
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor … Continue reading
People who show respect for reality, and for the laws of logic, will show respect for others. This is because they know they need and want others with whom to associate, for personal, business or other reasons. They appreciate that … Continue reading
I recently heard a psychiatrist affiliated with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) complain that the insurance industry, motivated by profit, has pushed the APA to narrow the diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder — so there may be fewer insurance claims approved. This may … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, I have few real friends and feel that people usually respond to me in a negative way, no matter how nice or reasonable I try to be. Any thoughts or advice? A: You say people seem to … Continue reading
Democracy isn’t supposed to be about the mob ruling over the individual. It also isn’t supposed to be about a political pressure group overriding the will of the majority — or the rights of a minority, either. The point of … Continue reading
Be original.
Sometimes, depression is what happens when you go too long without a sense of purpose. It’s like the engine light going on in the car when it hasn’t obtained proper maintenance. This is why depression/anxiety and other psychological problems can, … Continue reading
People insist that government must interfere in the free market economy in order to prevent — or correct — “market failure.” Let’s think about this term “market failure.” A market refers to millions of different business transactions going on at … Continue reading
If you fail to focus on, engage in and otherwise appreciate THIS moment — because of your thoughts about the next hour, the next day or the next year — then you’re cheating yourself in two respects. You’re diminishing your … Continue reading
What does the term “cognitive distortions” mean? It refers to the fact that our initial reactions are not always reliable and trustworthy. Don’t be ashamed of those initial reactions. Don’t moralize about them or ‘be ashamed.’ Simply see them for … Continue reading