There is a famous saying, “This, too, shall pass.” Whether you are going through good times or bad times, those times will change. The interesting thing about that is that it is a double-edged sword: if you’re suffering, you (of course) want them to change; if you’re are having a blast, you don’t want the fun or joy to
Read More“Always be content; never be satisfied,” is a statement that I like to use to explain the ideal attitude that you should have toward life. It’s a succinct way to explain the (seemingly paradoxical) relationship between two things that you need to do simultaneously: you want to always be grateful for what you have (which should make you feel...
Read MoreIn my book, The Meaning of Life: A guide to finding your life’s purpose, I cover what people mean by “meaning” when they ask that question. The number one thing they mean by that is, “What goals should I have?” While “meaning” can refer to definition, purpose, significance, goals, or ethics, the one people most mean is goals. Why? Because...
Read MoreI always wondered why there are so many holidays. Yes, I know that the primary stated reasons are to commemorate a person, event, or idea and to take a moment to remember them and what significance they have to your life. People can get caught up in their day-to-day lives and neglect things like their health, their relationships, and their...
Read MoreDo you respect others’ beliefs? This is an interesting question because it’s one of those difficult situations where everyone wants others to respect their beliefs but don’t necessarily want to respect others’ beliefs. It’s a tough situation because even the most open-minded people have to draw a line somewhere: you can’t respect all beliefs...
Read MoreI was just recording a podcast the other day and was asked which of the eight elements of humans’ sense of meaning in their lives was the most difficult for people to implement in their lives. Naturally, I said, “Judging by the scientific measure of the number of self-help books focusing on the topic: belief. More self-help books focus on...
Read MoreDo you have a bad habit that you wish you could kick? Maybe you smoke, drink, eat, gamble, or self-gratify too much? What is causing that, and what can you do about it? Before explaining the causes and what you can do, I have to preface this post with the fact that there are dozens and dozens of techniques to eliminate bad habits. Professionals...
Read MoreWhat is success? Is it what most people think it is: fame, money, social status, and an enviable job? Well, it can be. But, obviously, life success is for you to determine. There are plenty of people who, to quote Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Pulp Fiction, “walk the Earth” and live fulfilling lives. There are plenty of other people who work...
Read MoreYou know the cliché 80s montages, right? The one where the protagonist has an urgent goal, a burning desire, and the belief that, with enough work, they can succeed. So they buckle down and put in the work until they are ready, at which point the day of the text or competition arrives and they succeed. Audiences love those kinds of movies because...
Read MoreCivilized society is an interesting concept. Social animals thrive by cooperating with each other for everyone’s benefit. Foundational ethical behaviors include not harming each other, protecting each other, and helping each other. Then, there are social norms, such as wearing clothing, saying, “Hello,” to people you know when you see them, and...
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