Blog

The home of Uncommon Sense: Providing Clarity, Promoting Intelligence
Wielding Empathy
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 […]
The Duplicitous, Dishonest Jimmy Kimmel
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 […]
Musical Instruments and the Difficulty of Mastery
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 […]
Parity
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 […]
The Importance of Boundaries
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 […]
The Continued Coarsening of America
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 […]
Peculiar Questions
Questions are our most powerful intellectual tool. In fact, every invention is the result of someone formulating a question, and then wrestling with that question. There are times I feel particularly contemplative, and I thus ponder questions that are deep, and strange, and peculiar. Sometimes I find myself staring at the ceiling at night, plagued […]
Sonorous
Building Your Power of Expression Sonorous, adj. Pronunciation: ˈsänərəs Meaning: This nifty word has in mind, when speaking of a person’s voice or some other sound, something that is deep and full and rich and resonant. It describes something that is capable of producing a deep or ringing sound. It often implies a voice or […]
Visualize Your Success
Have you ever noticed that the most successful people seem to have a clarity about where they’re going—even before the rest of the world sees it? They carry within themselves a vision that guides their steps, fuels their persistence, and keeps them moving forward despite setbacks. This isn’t coincidental. It’s the power of visualization at […]
On Politics: Eyeing Two Major Forces
Here’s a primer on today’s political landscape. What does this singular noun, politics, really mean? At its core, politics is about how people live together in groups and make collective decisions, especially regarding power, resources, rights, and responsibilities. It is the process through which societies debate, decide, and implement rules and structures that shape how […]
The Stings of Life
It is interesting to note that there are scientists out there that try to measure the relative pain from various stings that we humans sometimes encounter. There’s even a famous Sting Pain Index called the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. It’s one of the strangest projects in entomology (i.e., the scientific study of insects). Created by […]
Abeyance
Building Your Power of Expression Abeyance, n. Pronunciation: əˈbāəns Meaning: A state of temporary inactivity, disuse, or suspension. Usage: ”Matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries. “After the manager resigned, the decision-making process fell into abeyance.” “Legal proceedings were kept in abeyance while both parties attempted to reach a settlement.”
Conquering Procrastination: A Playbook for Serial Delayers
Last Tuesday, I found myself reorganizing my spice rack. Alphabetically. Twice. I don’t even cook that much. But suddenly, alphabetizing paprika before parsley became a matter of national importance. Why? Because I was supposed to be writing this very article. If that little story feels uncomfortably familiar, congratulations—you and I are kin in the noble […]
The Strange Media Love Affair With Trans-Lunacy
In June 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a man who goes by the name of CeCe McDonald and who insists he is a woman, stabbed Dean Schmitz to death with a knife. In March 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, a woman who goes by the name of Aiden Hale and who insisted she was a man, walked […]
“Never Give Up!”
I put the title of this article in quotations because it is said in some circles that Winston Churchill once repeated those words 3 times (and only those words) in a speech he gave to a graduating class at Oxford University. Having read more than a half-dozen major biographies of Churchill, and never having seen […]
Dormant
Building Your Power of Expression Dormant, adj. Pronunciation: ˈdôrmənt Meaning: Anything that is dormant is temporarily inactive. It could refer to a volcano that, while not currently active, could become active in the future. It could refer to seeds that are not growing at the moment but are still able to sprout under the right […]
Growth Mindsets vs. Fixed Mindsets: Why Your Brain Might Need a Gym Membership
Ever caught yourself saying, “I’m just not a math person” or “I’ll never be good at public speaking”? If so, congratulations—you may be in a long-term relationship with a fixed mindset. Don’t worry, though; many of us are. But like any relationship that’s gone stale, it may be time to break up and date something […]
The Permanence of Trump-Derangement Syndrome
One of the more interesting social phenomena in recent member involves a new mental disease affecting a significant percentage of the U.S. population. This mental-psychological contagion found its birth on June 16, 2015. What happened on June 16, 2015? That was the date Donald Trump, the New York Real Estate tycoon and star of the […]
The Pros & Cons of Flying First Class
Flying first class ain’t cheap. I almost never do it. However, a case could be made for doing so if one is traveling a very far distance and must arrive as fresh as is possible. Yet even in such cases, it’s anybody’s guess if forking out the extra money is worth it because the unknown […]
Affable
Building Your Power of Expression Affable, adj. Pronunciation: ˈafəb(ə)l Meaning: Refers to people who are good-natured, friendly, or easy to talk to. It is pleasant to interact with such persons. Usage: “He made for an affable and good-natured conversationalist.” “Her now affable nature was in stark contrast to her formerly surely disposition.” “For this job […]
If Anything Can Go Wrong: Fidelity and the U.S. Post Office
This is a story about how good intentions can often bring unintended consequences. I needed a large amount of cash transferred from one financial institution (Fidelity) to another (Charles Schwab). And the need behind the transaction was time-sensitive. Fidelity promptly sent the money via check to my Post Office Box. And although the check arrived […]
The Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax Explained
So here is what we know at this stage of the game: various luminaries in the Obama Administration, including President Obama himself, appear to have manufactured the Russia-Collusion Hoax in order to try to destroy the candidacy of Donald Trump during the 2016 election, and/or destroy President Donald Trump after he won that election. In […]
What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?
One of the most memorable pieces of show music to come out of The Sound of Music was a song called My Favorite Things. The lyrics from the first three verses were captivating: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These […]
Inimitable
Building Your Power of Expression Inimitable, adj. Pronunciation: iˈnimədəb(ə)l Meaning: Things (or people) that are very unique can be said to be inimitable. The word points to something (or someone) who is so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy. A one-of-a-kind. . . Usage: “She was mesmerized by the inimitable ambiance of […]
Small Business Train Wrecks
This is a story all small business owners need to take to heart. I live in a quaint, cozy townhome. I love my home! It’s my fortress from the world. But I’m a very business professional, and I don’t always make time to clean it like I should. I live in a gated community. Members […]
Deep State Indicators*
By Gregg Jarrett Never before in American history has a departing president connived to sabotage and destroy the man who would replace him. Newly revealed documents show that in 2016 then-President Barack Obama and his national security team “manufactured and politicized” phony intelligence to help frame Donald Trump as a Russian asset when they knew […]
Obsessed With Self
My profession (and my nature) finds me in the enviable position of being able to observe others, especially how others interact with those around them. It’s a great learning experience. Although I am a professional speaker, and thus, find myself now and then up on a platform in front of an audience, I realize it […]
Parochial
Building Your Power of Expression Parochial, adj. Pronunciation: pəˈrōkēəl Meaning: Although this word usually refers to things relating to a church parish, it can also be used in a symbolic sense to mean having a limited, narrow outlook or scope. Usage: “His worldview seems incredibly naïve and parochial.” “How can a place be at once […]
Managing Stress with Emotional Intelligence: The Inner Advantage
In a world spinning faster each day—where productivity is prized, and burnout is common—managing stress isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival skill. But while many turn to time management hacks or mindfulness apps, a deeper, more sustainable key lies within us: emotional intelligence (EI). Emotional intelligence isn’t just about “being nice” or “keeping calm.” It’s […]
Trump Destroys Iran’s Nuclear Plans to Obliterate Israel
In the previous issue of Uncommon Sense (Issue #333), this column began with these words: “One thing is clear: There are two broad steams of thought in the United States of America today. These two streams of thought cannot be reconciled, which is ominous for that is what causes civil wars to occur.” President Donald […]