When I was a therapist and then a consultant, I prided myself on my practicality, on being down-to-earth.  I still do.  This often brought me into conflict with colleagues who loved abstractions and built their work and life around playing with them.  Why shouldn't people focus on concepts?  In principle, I want people, colleagues and clients alike, to do what they think is right and best.

The question really comes down to what is right and best.  If you get that wrong, then perhaps you might find yourself in trouble.  Conceptual input means starting from ideas that are part of a theory.  Or perhaps it means applying a paradigm that is popular.  This idea-based engagement always left me uncomfortable.  Still does.

When I tried to deal with some management mess, I would typically More...

Willpower seems to be returning to popular focus.  That can’t be all bad for THEE which takes its origin from will.  The taxonomy only focuses on those matters which we can will into existence, and which would not exist if we did not will them.  Like I’m currently willing this blog into existence, and you are using your will in giving it some attention.

While will has an intrinsic energy (human energy as distinct from physical energy), this seems to manifest as part of the creation of personal purposes and values.  Nothing much can be willed without a goal.  Things happen without intending of course: we don’t More...

Caterpillars can turn into butterflies.  Amazing!  That is what I call transforming your life!  How do they do that?

Why can't I transform my life?  Why can't we all change and stop humanity's horrors?

What is their secret?  Those voracious and destructive caterpillars turn into beautiful delicate butterflies, flitting about pollinating flowers and crops.  Stupendous! 

From destruction to goodness.  (Of course, More...

Can we care for each other?  Perhaps not if you are a male rat.

A study published in the prestigious journal Science (334:1427-1430, 2011) revealed that rats display empathy for each other.  In other words, they actively care about the suffering of a fellow rat.  In the experiment, the rats not only learned how to free a trapped cage-mate but shared their chocolate with them.

If rats can display empathy, surely people can.

Perhaps expecting More...