Licensing Professions is a Must … Right?

…ation, made up of professionals in that particular field (often upon whom the government relies in setting the standards anyway) can do the job equally well or better. Government licensing forcibly restricts you from obtaining goods and services from the individuals you choose. In a free society, it’s valid to expect the government to prosecute fraud and outright deception, but it’s not valid for the government to restrain trade, which is exactly… Continue reading

Negotiate Out of Love – Not Out of Duty

…career while I still retain what I have, perhaps with a few changes.” This combination of circumstances might not exist, especially if real estate issues are factored in. Though monumentally significant, none of these are reasons to not have an ongoing discussion where “…we don’t stop until we’ve exhausted every possibility.” Here’s how it should work: (1) Partner A wants a change that Partner B does not initially want. (2) Both partners take the… Continue reading

If Addiction Is an Illness, What’s The Cause — and Cure?

…oints or beliefs determine the outcome; once false views are replaced with valid ones, and once the valid views are acted upon, change immediately begins. The reader: There is a big social component to this, so your assertion that ‘addiction is a choice’ is too simplistic. Dr. Hurd: I’m simplistic? You’re the one who’s simplistic. You’re saying that addiction is caused solely by brain chemistry — that it’s literally a medical illness. I’m saying i… Continue reading

Is Business Experience Essential for a President?

…” which is a polite term for manipulating groups of people to gain the greatest amount of power for the greatest amount of handouts made possible through local and federal tax money. After being President, Obama will live off the taxpayers (and a fawning media) forever, regardless of what his future holds and regardless of whether he serves one or two terms in office. And Obama is not the first career politician to seek or hold the White House. He… Continue reading

You Can Have an “I” and Still Be in a Relationship

…career while I still retain what I have, perhaps with a few changes.” This combination of circumstances might not exist, especially if real estate issues are factored in. Though monumentally significant, none of these are reasons to not have an ongoing discussion where “…we don’t stop until we’ve exhausted every possibility.” Here’s how it should work: (1) Partner A wants a change that Partner B does not initially want. (2) Both partners take the… Continue reading

Do You Feel Entitled?

…love donating to charities I care about, and it’s entirely reasonable to know exactly WHAT you’re providing before you provide it. In spite of the clever but irrational guilt collectors, it’s reasonable to remember that you’re never automatically obliged to anyone unless it’s of your own free will and it makes you happy to do so.     Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Rehoboth Beach DE). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recomm… Continue reading

Feelings and Thoughts: Two Different Things

…of a printout of your beliefs and ideas – some valid and some maybe not so valid. So how do you know the difference? After all, illogical thoughts and contradictions can create some pretty misleading printouts. The process of answering these questions is, in fact, the cure. For example, let’s say you’re afraid of snakes. Your fear stems from the belief that snakes could kill you. A closer look at the facts, however, reveals that while some snakes… Continue reading

The Psychology of Anger (Part 3 of 4)

…ion set to work. If, after a week, it breaks down – then you will likely become angry. If the company refuses to honor its warranty for repair, you will certainly become angry, and justifiably so. The irrationally angry person with the sense of entitlement feels like most of us would feel about the broken television—only he feels this way all of the time. He feels he’s not getting what he wants from people and that people owe more to him. Disappoi… Continue reading

The Psychology of Anger (Part 2 of 4)

…become upset when they see so many others failing to act with integrity or competence. These can be valid emotions. However, it’s not valid to let the lack of integrity or competence in the world bring you down. It’s OK to disapprove of others when it’s warranted, but not to make yourself miserable in the process. People who become angry over the inadequacies of others (real or alleged) need to accept that many others don’t share their high standa… Continue reading

Figuring out your feelings

…ts are, and if they’re even valid? Though your emotions can make them FEEL valid, illogical or distorted thoughts can create some pretty misleading printouts. Answering these questions can be difficult, but going through the process of answering them is, in itself, ‘the cure.’ For example, let’s say you’re afraid of snakes. Your fear stems from the idea or belief that snakes are dangerous, and that they could even kill you. A closer look at the fa… Continue reading

Emotional Pollution

…stake, even when there’s a valid reason to complain. In the workplace, for example, complaining kills innovation, creates cliques, distorts reality and brings everyone down without accomplishing anything. I have coached people who want to change the way they respond to negative people at work. One suggestion is that they just walk away and encourage others to do the same. You’re not obligated to confront the complainer, but if he or she confronts… Continue reading