Ideas on Mental Health & Meaning
Rules for Fair Fighting
We all get into disagreements with our loved ones – spouses, significant others, partners. Most people only bring into a relationship what they learned from their family of origin and past relationships, both good and bad. It is impossible to agree on...
We Are All Just a Bunch of Addicts
I saw an news brief on teens entering “smartphone addiction” treatment centers in Malibu, CA at a cost of $50k / month… If I’m honest with myself, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some evidence of this new phenomenon in my office and in my own home. We’ve all heard of the...
Life is Suffering
"LIFE IS SUFFERING. THAT'S CLEAR. There is no more basic, irrefutable truth." Ouch, that hurts... This is the start of "Rule 7" from Jordan B. Peterson's 12 Rules for Life : An Antidote for Chaos. I didn't expect him to get so dark in his "antidote". You can expect...
Overwhelming Struggles
Last week I had the privilege of spending time with some great people from all over the world as part of our graduation ceremonies. I renewed my friendship with Alain, an exuberant and gentle soul who works as a hospital chaplain in Missouri, as well as a US Army...
The Pursuit of Happiness
"I just want to be happy." So many people struggle with this today. I think we've been sold the wrong idea. We get wrapped up in chasing the next big thing - the next thing we are told we 'want' to buy - that when the chase is over and we have what we thought we...
When It’s All Too Much
What do you do when: The loved one you thought had given up drinking goes back to the bottle? The depression you thought you conquered comes back? You find out your spouse has been having an emotional affair with an old friend? You learn that lingering pain you've had...
This “Mental Health” Work is Hard
Most days, I get to encourage people to make changes in their lives that should lead to a more meaningful and healthy situation. I spent quite a while building up some knowledge and experience on the topic, so I find it pretty easy to talk about - honestly, I enjoy...
A ‘Why’ to Live For
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” - Friedrich Nietzsche Viktor Frankl was fond of quoting this line from Nietzsche through his volumes. He survived three years in a German concentration camp - I'd say his reflection on this statement...
Leading for Meaning
Most of us find ourselves with an opportunity to lead from time to time - many of us are leaders on a daily basis, either at work or in our families. I thought I would share some notes from a recent presentation for those of us who may want to engage in a more...
I’ve Been Thinking About Death Lately
Not in the morbid, "is it my time" way. But more in the "where is my life going and what have I done with the time I've had" way. That's not always a welcome idea in our culture. Death. We spend much of our time trying to avoid that thought, trying to avoid the...
But it’s Not About the Guns!
Maybe it is. I'm honestly not sure anymore. And really, that's not my role. Whether it is or isn't about gun control is not my area of expertise. What I do know is that we face an existential vacuum as traditional morals and values continue to change - which can be...
Choose Better
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." - Viktor Frankl Pain. Guilt. Death. Frankl called them "The Tragic Triad". No human being can...