Ponder this: Only drug dealers and software companies refer to their customers as “users.” That word alone exposes an insidious truth: both addictions thrive on dependency, both hijack the brain’s reward system, and both profit from our inevitable and insatiable surrender. And just as there are synthetic drugs, we are swimming in synthetic dopamine. What’s more synthetic than synthetic? More stimulating that stimulating? The prevalence of AI.
Tag Archives: mental health
Why Teaching History Doesn’t Work: The Case for Emotional Intelligence
OK, truth, I’m fascinated by history. But who’s version of history have I actually learned? The victors? They tell us “We must learn from history or we are doomed to repeat it.” But clearly learning it has done little to keep us from repeating our cultural, environmental, and ethical missteps. Sure, maybe you can rattleContinue reading “Why Teaching History Doesn’t Work: The Case for Emotional Intelligence”
The Art of Holding Space
To demand silence or “decorum” from the wounded is to ask them to suffocate their own humanity for our comfort. But I will not withhold my presence, my compassion, my love until you are palatable. I will love you until.
Happiness Isn’t a Secret
“Don’t speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn’t know the difference. Words are energy and they cast spells, that’s why it’s called spelling. Change the way you speak about yourself, and you can change your life.” ~ Bruce Lee Everything we think, say, and do shapes who we become, how we’reContinue reading “Happiness Isn’t a Secret”
Screaming for Connection
The solution to addiction isn’t sobriety.
The solution to self harm isn’t self discipline.
The solution to overspending isn’t frugality.
The solution to promiscuity isn’t abstinence.
The solution to overeating isn’t dieting.
The solution to them all…is connection.
Ask, and Ye Shall Receive
Our minds are like parachutes. They work best when they’re open. Don’t hold so tightly to what you know to be true. If you let go of what you know, and it stays with you, it’s true. If you let go of what you know, and it disappears into the ether…it isn’t, and probably neverContinue reading “Ask, and Ye Shall Receive”
Searching for Solace
Right now, right this minute, there are unhappy people all over the world. Truth…I try not to think about it. I care…a lot. We all deserve happiness. Yes. We all do. People from every race, every age, every creed, living under diverse economic circumstances, are feeling unfulfilled. They’re hurt, they have scars from the past,Continue reading “Searching for Solace”
It’s as if God said, “NOW let’s see you get to Kona, tough guy!”
“But Dadda…why do you have to do your Ironman races?” This was asked of me by my youngest son, Jeffrey (5 at the time), just 3 days prior to my first ever triathlon. I found myself in the uncommon position of not having words to explain why I “had to” do this race. After a moment’sContinue reading “It’s as if God said, “NOW let’s see you get to Kona, tough guy!””
Harvesting Insights 