Category Archives: Psychology

Perfection or Nothing?

Posted on January 10, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

The French philosopher Voltaire warned that “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” Pursuit of “perfect” but impossible goals makes us reject possible goals because they’re imperfect. And we often make things even worse than they were in the … Continue reading →

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Why Is This A Banana?

Posted on January 5, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

In today’s media landscape, you can throw a rock in any direction and hit something that’s partisan and biased. Whether you believe that “Trump Is Literally Hitler,” or you call him “the god-emperor,” or you’re somewhere in between, there’s a … Continue reading →

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Always Have A Purpose

Posted on January 1, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

What’s “the most dangerous poison of life” — the greatest source of unhappiness? You might think it’s hatred, and that would be a sensible choice. But according to American Founder Thomas Jefferson, it’s boredom. For an intelligent person, being alive … Continue reading →

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Find Your Life’s Meaning

Posted on November 26, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Does your life have meaning? If so, how? The answer helps you appreciate your blessings and seize your opportunities. Having a clear idea of the answer is in itself a blessing. Most people have no idea. They trudge through life, … Continue reading →

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Forgiveness Can Mean Freedom

Posted on November 4, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

When people have deceived or manipulated us, it’s difficult to forgive them. I’ve worked for some terrific bosses over the years. One of them is Jim Grey, whose luck with his own bosses hasn’t been quite as good as mine. … Continue reading →

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Your Curse Can Be Your Blessing

Posted on October 10, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Is your life “cursed” in some way? A traumatic childhood? Health problems? Poor self-esteem? You can turn your curse into your blessing. The American novelist Ernest Hemingway said it well: “Life breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong in the … Continue reading →

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Why Common Sense Is So Uncommon

Posted on September 25, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Why is common sense so uncommon? I’ve been reading Robert Curry’s excellent new book Reclaiming Common Sense. It got me thinking about why I and many other people often lack common sense. For example, in college I was a libertarian. … Continue reading →

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One Way to Reduce Fake News

Posted on September 21, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Regardless of their political views, most Americans think that “fake news” is a real problem. And it is. Often on purpose. Partisans flood the media with so much disinformation that it’s hard for anyone to know what’s happening. Even the … Continue reading →

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What’s Your Choice?

Posted on September 12, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

Some people might get mad at me for saying this, but I’m against kicking puppies. I’m also against being mean to children and old people. I like democracy but I agree with Winston Churchill that “it’s the worst form of … Continue reading →

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Compare and Contrast

Posted on September 5, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

“Compare and contrast.” It’s a staple of essay questions on college final exams. But be careful about applying it to life. Many people make themselves unhappy by comparing themselves to others who seem better off. They think that the other … Continue reading →

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