Out of My Mind

In order to feel good, it sometimes helps to first do something that feels bad.

The lawn care industry tells us that our lawns should be perfect, meaning entirely devoid of so-called weeds and insects. Their version of “perfect” yields a little ecosystem with about as much biodiversity as a parking lot.

Instantaneous recognition occurs when you feel an emotional or spiritual connection with someone you have never met. What's this all about?

Arguments around euthanasia and assisted suicide are heated and complex, as one person's experience makes abundantly clear.

Talking to yourself out loud pushes against an ingrained bias in our culture, one that views this behavior as a symptom of “mental problems." To the contrary, it can be an incredibly healthy exercise.

Nobody is an expert on you except . . . well, you. 

If this past week’s torrid weather left you cranky, irritable or otherwise mentally off kilter, there’s a good chance you can blame it on the heat.

Making a fool of oneself is an almost universal experience. Why do we give ourselves so much grief about it?

Social science suggests father have an oversized impact on the psychological development of their children.

This Tesla owner has something to say to those who demonize us and vandalize our vehicles.

This tongue-in-cheek podcast suggests we can assign psychiatric diagnoses to people by observing their driving behavior.

While there clearly are situations when one needs to lay down the law with oneself and issue commands, doing so routinely can prove counterproductive.

Maybe you’ve experienced real progress or even a breakthrough in changing your behavior or attitude. But then comes a setback. Then what?

Is your mind yours or largely a product of inputs from others? Compelling behavioral science research suggests most of us can, to a considerable degree, create our own state of mind and corresponding sense of self.

Ultimately, each of us must decide how important it is that we honor our integrity by speaking our truth.

Immersing oneself in adverse weather provides life lessons that may be harder to learn in the human world.

I recount a chance encounter with a bonafide hero, the kind we could use more of these days.

Sometimes we repeat dysfunctional relationships over and over, particularly romantic ones, but often don't know why. We try "any ill to find the cure." What gives?

Verbal communication is not always the cure for a troubled relationship.