Archive for the 'Dissecting Problems' Category

A Cautionary Tale about Financial Problems: A Reader Testimonial

Living above one’s means is surprisingly easy.  I’ve been there, done that — it just takes some time of not facing the reality, just conveniently avoiding to check the books.  I received the following testimonial from Katie Lupo about the trouble she got in:
I have to say that in my mid- to late twenties, life [...]

A Simple Phrase That Will Help You Not Take Things Personally

Did someone hurt your feelings?  Do you get annoyed or frustrated?  We all do from time to time — I certainly do, and while I keep telling myself not to judge others too hastily, I still find myself full of judgments and wraths for everyone around me.  Obviously there are moral and religious arguments against [...]

The Damage of Judgments

Judgment hurts.  This is a lesson I’ve been reminded of in multiple ways recently.  In any relationship, the kind and loving thing to do is to meet the other person where s/he is.
Let me illustrate that point, with a story about me and my cat.
Expecting Human Reasoning out of a Cat (Yes, it’s futile!)
I have [...]

Problems Are Opportunities. Mistakes Are Lessons.

I’d like to banish those words from my dictionary.  Problems are opportunities.  Mistakes are lessons.
Problems arise because something needs to be solved.  That solution has the potential to benefit you and everyone around you from that point on.  I’m trying to figure out how to make it as a rock musician while providing a stable [...]

You Take as Much Abuse as What You Do to Yourself

One of the key lessons that stuck out from Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz was the truth that we only take as much abuse as what we do to ourselves. In the other words, I am my own worst abuser.  Nobody abuses me as badly as I do.
Wow, really?
As I reflected upon the [...]

Using Pride and Hollowness to Separate Good Work from Hard Work:

First the definitions:

“Hard” Work: work that is done at such a pace, amount, or intensity that it strains you.
“Good” Work: work that is self-rewarding.  You have much higher tolerance for this work.  Even when you do it at a level where it’d be Hard had it been other kinds of work, Good Work doesn’t strain [...]

The Enemy Uncovered: Resistance, According to Steven Pressfield in “The War of Art”

Now I understand why, and who I am fighting against.  Knowing the enemy is critical in a battle, and Steven Pressfield does a succinct job of identifying him.  This is a great book for anybody serous about their artistic/creative pursuit, be it painting, sculpture, writing, music, theater, photography, etc.   It’s short and easy-read.
The book [...]

What Takes Time Doesn’t Mean It’s Difficult

Here’s a little lesson I learned that’s helped me approach things with more hope and brighter outlook.
What takes time doesn’t mean it’s difficult.
I used to think that getting better on my guitar is difficult.  Playing the guitar is still one of the most challenging, invigorating things I do, but at the very heart of it, [...]

Reader Question: How Do I Deal with My Relationship Anxiety?

Here’s a question regarding anxiety issues in a family from Kari, a woman in her 20s.
I’ve been reading through your advice about breaking habits, low self-esteem, etc and am curious to hear your opinion of what I view as my main problem.  I also went back to my therapist today after a long hiatus and [...]

How to Rise to the Occasion

This final installment of the series “How to Enjoy Challenges” examines how a challenge can bring the best in a person — or the worst.  By diligently removing threats you associate with challenges, anyone can become a brave soul who rises to the occasion and pulls out the best in him/herself.
A challenge can bring [...]