People who dwell on the negative aspects of things often tell me that they’re afraid of being let down or disappointed. They set their sights low, curb their expectations, and hope it will keep bad things from happening. That mindset … Continue reading →

It’s hard to believe another summer is almost past! One of the silver linings to that otherwise dark cloud is the Labor Day Jazz Funeral on the Bethany Beach boardwalk. The New Orleans-style parade lays the season to rest, symbolically … Continue reading →

Many people are taught to believe that when dealing with other people, the reasonable thing to do is to compromise; to meet the other person halfway. That might sound nice, but in my experience it doesn’t always work. All action … Continue reading →

So many relationships — business, personal or otherwise — end up boiling down to honesty. For example, is someone obligated to deal honestly with somebody who has been proven to be dishonest? The person who asked me this question suggests … Continue reading →

One way or another, many of us engage in gossip to some degree. Even if you never open your mouth, you’re contributing to gossip if you patronize the magazines, websites or TV shows that call themselves “entertainment news.” Nigel Nicholson, … Continue reading →

I regularly receive letters and emails asking me about post-traumatic stress disorder; predominately an issue for military personnel returning from active duty. While everybody agrees that some people certainly do suffer from PTSD, there’s always the question that others might … Continue reading →

It’s easy to be stressed these days. Even the simple act of taking a vacation can cause anxiety. Though you might just be visiting, stress management skills still have to be developed and maintained. Making the time to enjoy life’s … Continue reading →

People often react badly when you say something they’d rather not hear. But it’s just as bad when you don’t say what they want to hear. The perfect example is an email I received from a reader: “Dear Dr. Hurd: … Continue reading →

In between the high-energy activities that characterize our summer beach resort, it helps to stand back and take a look at what matters (and what doesn’t matter) to you. In fact, this sort of self-reflection should be a part of … Continue reading →

We hear over and over that ‘money is the root of all evil,’ or that ‘money can’t buy happiness.’ So how come it’s such a major part of our lives? Couples fight over it so much that it’s one of … Continue reading →

People often ask me if anything annoys me about my job. I love what I do. But if anything gets to me, it’s when a client pays me good money to give advice, and then doesn’t take it — only … Continue reading →

A reader emails me about disagreements she has with her friend. Their differences are on very fundamental levels, and she wonders if there is a point or a line that two people reach when the gap between their values is … Continue reading →