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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

I conclude my debate with a man I am calling Ferdinand Yocum as we debate whether President Donald Trump is justified in sending in the National Guard into Chicago to try to quell the violence. Ferdinand says no. I say yes. Again, my designation uses the initials AN. AN: You wrote: “As to this increase […]

In everyday conversation, sociopath and psychopath are often used interchangeably—usually to describe someone who behaves badly, selfishly, or cruelly. In psychology, however, these terms refer to distinct patterns of personality and behavior. Understanding the difference matters, not only for accuracy, but to avoid carelessly mislabeling difficult or unconventional people. Both sociopathy and psychopathy fall under […]

Building Your Power of Expression Prestidigitation, n. Pronunciation: ˌprestəˌdijəˈtāSHən Meaning: In its original and pure usage, the word Prestidigitation refers to the art or skill of performing magic tricks, sleight of hand, or clever manual deception—especially the kind associated with stage magicians and illusionists. The word comes from the French prestidigitateur, meaning “fast fingers,” and […]

There is a curious phenomenon you may have witnessed in your own kitchen sink. Place a flask beneath the faucet and turn the water on to the mildest of streams — just above a trickle. The water rises slowly in the wide lower chamber… almost lazily. But when it reaches the very bottom of the […]

I continue with a recap from my debate with a man I am calling Ferdinand Yocum as we debate whether President Donald Trump is justified in sending in the National Guard into Chicago to try to quell the violence. Ferdinand says no. I say yes. Again, I will designate Ferdinand Yocum with the initials FY […]

In life, we must always deal with the various energies around us, and some of those energies are not peaceful. Some people don’t have gratitude, so they attack what brings joy, healing, and wellness. Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is good; it’s about remembering that something is. It’s about noticing the things that are easy […]

Building Your Power of Expression Bucolic, adj. Pronunciation: byo͞oˈkälik Meaning: This word conveys the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life. Usage: “The church is lovely for its bucolic setting.” “Her childhood memories were steeped in bucolic scenes of orchards dirt roads, and the gentle rhythm of rural life.” “The poet’s language was so […]

We tend to think of productivity as a mental game—about focus, strategy, or time management. But here’s the truth: your brain is a biological organ, and your body is the system that powers it. When your physical health suffers, so does your ability to think clearly, create effectively, and perform consistently. The link between health […]

Not long ago I was involved in a serious dialogue with a man of the Left. Some would actually call it a debate. So be it. In the interest of full disclosure, the man, (let’s call him, . . Ferdinand Yocum,) would vehemently deny my characterization of him in this column. He would protest that he […]

One of the most entertaining movies I remember from an earlier era was Raiders of the Lost Ark which hit the theaters in 1981. It was a fun movie with actor Harrison Ford as “Indiana Jones” (AKA Professor Henry Walton Jones, Jr.) If you recall the film, perhaps you can recall that in spite of […]

Building Your Power of Expression Optics, n., pl. Pronunciation: ˈäptiks Meaning: Although this is a plural noun, it is usually treated, in practice, as a singular noun (similar to economics, politics, etc.) While the word originally pertained to the scientific study of sight and the behavior of light, I tend to use the word in […]

When we talk about “team productivity,” most people imagine a group of bright-eyed professionals firing on all cylinders, effortlessly crossing off tasks while humming the company jingle. Reality check: real teams have messy schedules, competing priorities, and at least one person who thinks “urgent” is just a suggestion. But fear not—team productivity is not a […]

Let’s talk about presidential power. It can cut both ways, and as a loyal American, you should be thinking about this because it directly affects your well-being. In his first term, Donald Trump played the usual White House game until he lost reelection. Then all hell broke loose. But during the four years he occupied […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

After Charlie Kirk was murdered in cold blood by a radicalized Left-Wing zealot on September 10th, just 26 days ago, many people on the Left cheered wildly. I already documented 26 specific examples in Uncommon Sense #340 demonstrating that Leftists mocked Kirk’s assassination, showed hatred toward Kirk and his grieving family, and basically celebrated the […]

One of my favorite places to go is the Musical Instrument Museum. Located in the northern reaches of Phoenix, it’s about an hour’s drive from my home. But the drive is always worth it, whether I am attending a cultural event, a live concert, or wandering for hours through the museum itself, captivated by their […]

Building Your Power of Expression Parity, n. Pronunciation: ˈperədē Meaning: This word has in mind the state or condition of being equal, especially on matters of status or pay. Usage: “The issue is the euro’s parity with the dollar.” “Ultimately we are seeking parity of between rural workers and those in industrial occupations. ” “The […]

Let’s be honest: “boundaries” often sound like something you put around a garden to keep out nosy neighbors or rogue squirrels. But in business and in life, boundaries are less about fences and more about sanity. Without them, you end up exhausted, resentful, and—ironically—the very opposite of helpful. Why Boundaries Matter Think of boundaries as […]

A conservative icon was publicly assassinated twelve days ago. Charlie Kirk, an earnest, decent man, was shot in the throat by a radicalized Leftist monster whose name I will not utter. Charlie’s approach to the clash of ideas between Conservative thought and Leftist thought was to face his opponents with courage and decency and hold […]