The Tyranny of the Obvious

One of the great limitations of the human mind is not ignorance. It is intuition. We tend to think of intuition as wisdom’s close cousin—something ancient, refined, even noble. “Trust your gut,” we are told. And often, that advice works just well enough to keep us believing it always will. But intuition has a darker […]

Building Your Power of Expression Pluck, n. Pronunciation: ˌplək Meaning: This nifty noun (and mind you, it can also be a verb, but that is for an entirely different context and meaning) is not used often, but when it is, it brings some lively imagery with it. Pluck refers to spirited and determined courage. Usage: […]

Welcome to 2026! I hope you are spirited and animated to accomplish great things this year. And Uncommon Sense will be a beacon of inspiration for you every step of the way. I’ve written extensively about goal setting over the years. And I’m at it again with this first issue of the new year. For […]

One of my students recently paused mid–Learning Journal entry and asked herself a question that deserves far more attention than it usually gets: “Am I setting goals, or am I merely setting vibes?” That question cuts straight to the heart of why so many intelligent, well-intentioned people feel perpetually busy, optimistic, and “motivated”—yet remain stuck […]

A 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, was shot and killed in Minneapolis last week. She was part of a mob of protesters who were harassing and hampering the law enforcement work being done by Federal Agents from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) ICE has been rounding up illegal aliens that were let into our country by […]

It was my honor to deliver the keynote speech to a recent event hosted by the Maricopa Historical Society. It was my second invitation to speak to this august group of historians and history buffs. In late 2024 I had addressed them on the topic of Six Great Men, an overview of six of the […]

In terms of my professional life, I’ve always seen myself as a “teacher” first and foremost. About 18 years into my career I found myself in a formal teaching role when a local community college hired me to join their adjunct faculty. Most of my “teaching” prior to that time had been in the corporate […]

Building Your Power of Expression Winsome, adj. Pronunciation: ˌˈwin(t)səm Meaning: This word brings to mind the notion of something that is attractive or appealing in appearance or character. At its heart, the word conveys a kind of gentle, disarming charm. It is not loud or flashy or manipulative. It is the sort of appeal that […]

The year is quickly winding down and about to go into the bin of history. Thus, Uncommon Sense Issue #346 is before you to continue the effort to provide clarity, promote intelligence, and glean understanding. Let’s see what’s in store for you. The Self-Development column shines a light on our tendency to set bodacious goals […]

Ambitious, annual or multi-year goals carry an inherent paradox: they inspire us with their promise, yet they challenge us with their distance. Anyone can get excited about the first week of a new initiative. The real differentiator is the consistency that follows after the excitement has faded, when the novelty has worn off and progress […]