Honesty is a huge bug-a-bear for me. (Is that the expression? Whatever. If it wasn't before, it is now.) I struggle with honesty, for several reasons. I don't want to make people feel bad. I don't like being wrong. I'm often wrong and people are harsh and judgmental about those who are wrong. I don't … Continue reading Deserving honesty
I hold a rather controversial opinion. I think shame is good. Seriously. I like shame. I mean, I don't enjoy -like shame, but I appreciate-like shame. I like what it does when working rightly. And I believe it can work rightly. This is not a popular opinion. Shame is mostly seen as a negative emotion, … Continue reading In defense of shame
It feels so good to be easing into summer. It's one of our last full summers in Hawaii, so I want to make the most of it. Lots of hiking, SUPing, beaching, and rosé. I think it's all doable. And I'm currently weighted-lunging to ... make my legs worthless for doing any of the above. … Continue reading At the Moment 6.12.19 – Summer Lovin’
I love planning. LOVE. IT. Planning things gets me out of my sometimes-TOO-present head space, gets me excited about possibilities, and makes me feel really productive and efficient. I could plan all day! But of course, every plan needs to have follow-through to make it a good plan. Still working on that part. Ahem. I … Continue reading Summer 2019 Plan
WHY IS HOPE AT TIMES SO REFRESHING AND AT TIMES SO BRUTALLY PAINFUL. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT. Psychologist Erik Erikson (creative naming, Erikson elders) has argued that instilling hope in our children is one of the most important tasks of a parent. Hope is affiliated with security, confidence, and a good sense of self. … Continue reading The pain of hope
I don't know why I'm surprised anymore, but the end of this semester kicked my @$$ AGAIN. I was a ball of stress. Having several work trips and events on top of things WAS NOT HELPFUL NO IT WAS NOT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I turned everything in, but my work was pretty bad. Sub-par … Continue reading Therapy is making me… raw
The point of writing philosophy is to be a catalyst to other people's thought, not to set down the truth for all time.Nigel Warburton, Philosophy Bites podcast host One thing I love about philosophy and science is that they are, in their own ways, never-ending. There will never be a point at which either science … Continue reading Truth has no end point
There's a tension between standing up for what is right, unapologetically and strongly, and the need to "meet people where they are" to have a productive dialogue and, frankly, to having the best chance to change their minds. The first works well for policy changes, the second better interpersonally. I don't have much to say … Continue reading Changing policies, changing minds
Diane and I recorded a new podcast episode exploring the relationship between happiness and pleasure. I really like how Martin Seligman, one of the creators of the field of positive psychology, characterizes happiness: an overall state, the arc of a life that includes more positively-valenced feelings than negatively-valenced feelings. AOV Episode 24: Happiness/Pleasure The three … Continue reading Happiness and the meaningful life, and how Hawaii both helps and hurts (new-ish AOV episode)
Lifting update: I'm still seeing improvements and am consistently getting my strength back, a little at a time. Slow and steady works! Aaaaaand onto thoughts... On Tuesday Diane and I published a podcast episode on shame/guilt, and it was such a satisfying one to record because I struggle so much with shame. As such, I … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 2.13.19 — strengthening others against shame
