On Grieving

“And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, . . . […]

Building Your Power of Expression Surgical, adj. Pronunciation: ˈsərjək(ə)l Meaning: Outside the practice of medicine, I often use this word to convey the idea of doing something with precision. Many others, especially in military circles, use the term to describe a type of attack on a military target that is done swiftly and with high […]

A hearty welcome to the new subscribers who have joined the ranks of faithful readers of Uncommon Sense. Issue #342 will not disappoint! Conflict is all around us. I’m talking about the normal, day-to-day thorns we run into at work, at home, and elsewhere. Some of these conflicts are fairly minor, perhaps even petty to […]

Conflict is as old as humanity itself. Whether between nations or within marriages, within teams or within oneself, conflict signals a clash of needs, values, desires, or fears. But conflict also offers a doorway: if handled with humility, imagination, and courage, it can lead not to defeat, but to deeper understanding, stronger relationship, and renewed […]

“The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” William Butler Yeats wrote those words about Europe after the Great War, but they ring with terrible clarity this week as we bury Charlie Kirk, murdered at 31 for the crime of arguing in public. The young man who built an empire […]

In recent issues of Uncommon Sense I mentioned that Scottsdale Community College, one of ten institutions of higher learning that are part of the Maricopa County Community College District, had reach out to me to have me offer various business courses starting later this month. Interesting how word spreads. Another institution within that system, Phoenix […]

There is a passage found in an ancient sacred text (The Book of Mormon) which is at once fascinating and disquieting. The passage is a statement by a Hebrew prophet of God who had lived in the area around Jerusalem in the days of the biblical prophet Jeremiah, around 600 BC. This prophet I have […]

Building Your Power of Expression Sublimate, v. Pronunciation: ˈsəbləˌmāt Meaning: To sublimate is to divert or modify (an instinctual impulse) into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity, such as to quell or suppress one’s darker impulses. Usage: “My guess is he would tend to sublimate his hurt and anger into humor. ” “Freud […]

Put down whatever it is you are doing:  Uncommon Sense Issue #341 awaits your attention. The Self-Development column will explore the concept of empathy.  Reading it may give you a whole new understanding of what is involved with empathy. The Elephant in the Room column addresses a somewhat important footnote tied to the assassination of […]

Empathy is often described as one of the noblest of human capacities. It is the ability to place oneself in another’s situation, to feel—at least in part—what they feel, and to respond with compassion and understanding. In our age of rapid communication and constant noise, empathy stands out as a rare and transformative skill. But […]