Q: What communication skills can help avoid misunderstandings with others? A: Always keep in mind: What is in the other person’s interest? Appeal to that when you talk. This will help in communicating effectively. In short, people listen when they perceive you … Continue reading
Chronic hope for the impossible inevitably leads to hopelessness about the possible.
Existence is rational. Questions are reasonable. All questions can ultimately be answered — it’s only a matter of knowledge and time. In short: It’s a rational universe. Things are “figure outable”. Children start out with this unarticulated, but deeply held, … Continue reading
Negative attitude is the underlying cause of what everybody now calls “depression.” Attitude determines so much. The insidious thing about attitude is that it’s just beneath the surface, or even subconscious, unless you make it conscious. There’s nothing inherently wrong … Continue reading
When you’re less stressed, you can see more clearly. It’s like the difference between having 20/200 vision or 20/20 vision. When you see more clearly, you focus better, you’re more competent, and you feel better about things in general. The … Continue reading
People who don’t like to be questioned are at war with facts. They assume that, “I’m bigger and better than reality.” But this is a contradiction. You cannot be bigger or better than something — reality — if you’re a … Continue reading
Q: What would your reaction to following statement be? “You take politics too seriously. You get too upset over things you can’t control, things happening in other parts of the world. Don’t worry about that stuff, go out and live, … Continue reading
Assume that any person you encounter is of potential value to you. If they prove otherwise, then fine; but start with the assumption that they have something to offer you, by being who they are. Let them prove you wrong. … Continue reading
Being “rational” does not mean the absence of feelings. It means knowing what the reasons for your feelings are — and accepting feelings only when there are facts to back them up.
Obsessive anxiety comes from worrying about your anxiety. If you stop trying to fight the anxiety, it will eventually go away. Big caveat here: It won’t go away immediately. So when you tell yourself, ‘Stop fighting it, don’t worry, the … Continue reading
Diagnostic labels such as “depression” and “narcissistic personality disorder” and all the rest are of limited value. In some cases, they actually do harm because they imply no personal responsibility on the part of the person with the problem for … Continue reading
Your soul is your consciousness — i.e., your mind. “Soul” consists of what you think, feel, perceive, hope for, feel angry about, or appraise in any cognitive, mental way. Your thoughts are the most fundamental part of your soul; all … Continue reading