The Dalai Lama’s a Marxist? Of Course He Is

…success of capitalism — even hampered capitalism — suggests that when left free to think, and free to trade, human beings do exceedingly well, particularly compared to the alternatives. Communism, Nazism, primitive tribalism, democratic socialism — none of these have come close to producing what capitalism in America produced, particularly in its most inventive and economically free period, the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Tibetan… Continue reading

Make Your Second Career a Reality

…ll spending money. New businesses are still opening, and profit is still a reality. One example is food. The Food Network recently expanded to a second cable network that’s selling advertising and attracting a whole new demographic. Another example is the pet industry. Vets are charging more than ever before, and pet services and products are at unprecedented levels. I’m not suggesting a career in food or livestock, but those are just two vast are… Continue reading

The Child Within is Sometimes an Idiot

and beliefs. Thoughts, ideas and beliefs can be true or false; valid or invalid; common sensical or ridiculous. Everyone knows this. What most don’t get is that the same thing applies to their emotions! So if you’re feeling low or insecure about life, it’s not because your father was depraved or your mother was depressed. The proper attitude is, ‘I accepted this depraved or depressed way of looking at things. I didn’t have to accept this view, an… Continue reading

Shocker: Sacrifice Doesn’t Mix With Love

…that will give you what you want. So let’s say you put your spouse to the test. “If she really loves me, she’ll do this thing that makes her miserable.” OK, so she does it. But what have you won? You might be satisfied that you are now loved, but you’ve caused him or her a certain degree of unhappiness. What does this say about your love for him or her, and what does it do for the connection you were trying to validate? Misery loves company. In o… Continue reading

Listen to Yourself (Delaware Wave)

…e being clear and consistent in everything you say, think and do. And feel free to examine the words of others in the same way. A lot of this has to do with thinking. People often ask me what a cognitive behavioral psychotherapist does, and I say that he or she invites you to look objectively at what you’re doing, saying and thinking. By subjecting your thoughts and statements to the honesty test, a therapist helps you to help yourself. Another ph… Continue reading

Let them try! (Delaware Wave)

…’ll do it for him! That way it will reflect well on me.” Bottom line? This compulsive need to ‘help’ is really all about the helper. This is why you should be wary of people rushing to help you. There’s a difference between that and the people who value you and are there for you IF you request it. But compulsive helpers — meddlers — don’t even wait for a request. They’re only there to help themselves. Of course, some people actually do mean well,… Continue reading

First & Second Amendments: The Last Men Standing

…to go ahead with a “third term” for Obama and everything that implies. The real test will come when it’s time to hand over your weapons, and when it’s time to consult government regulations for proper and improper speech. Yes, it can happen here. It has happened in every society of human history. The First and Second Amendments are all that stand between America and a real dictatorship. We ignore them at our peril. Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Sea… Continue reading

Law of Diminishing Returns Applied to Thinking

…individuals do to undercut or even destroy their own well-being. Addiction comes to mind. Practices of deception or theft come to mind. Political authoritarianism/dictatorship—sadly, the norm of human history—come to mind as well. Rationalization (and evasion) sank the Titanic. It also got us Nazi Germany. Find any serious or tragic error in human events, and you’ll always find rationalization somewhere near the root of it (evasion usually the ult… Continue reading

Unblocking a Stalled Relationship (DE Coast Press)

…her to buy a house or have a child, mutuality is the only way any personal relationship can stand the test of time. Trust, fidelity, love respect: Without mutuality, none of those things can ever exist. Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Rehoboth Beach DE). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on Twitte… Continue reading