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I think pessimism gets a bad rap.  Humans evolved to have a habit of pessimism (i.e. “negativity bias”) because that helped us, as a species, be able to anticipate and prepare for future threats to survival – threats like warring tribes and dwindling food supplies.   We wouldn’t be here today without the pessimism of our ancestors.   […]

In case you missed it, the story of Perry and Penny taught us that pigeons aren’t pessimists.   And the other truth about pigeons is that… Pigeons aren’t optimists (either)! Perry said to Penny, “I know I should be less pessimistic…and I’m trying…but it’s so hard to be optimistic these days.”   Penny, now firmly convinced that Perry had

There they were – Perry and Penny – two pigeons perched on the precipice of a pergola – when, out of the blue, Perry said to Penny, “You know what?” Penny, appearing somewhat puzzled, replied “What?”   “I’ve got a bad feeling about today,” said Perry. Penny, still confused, asked, “What makes you say that?” “Well,”

No, I’m not referring to the tie…  I’m referring to the other BOLO:  Be On the LookOut. Imagine there has just been a bank robbery.   Law enforcement puts out a BOLO – an alert or broadcast message used to share information about a person(s) of interest – so that others can be on the lookout for

You’ve been told to be more “mindful” and to practice “mindfulness.”   After all, scientific studies have shown us the mental health benefits of mindfulness:  reducing stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms while enhancing mood, well-being, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. And the physical health benefits:  reducing blood pressure and chronic pain while enhancing sleep quality, gut health, and immune

“Take this job and…”   These are the first four words from the six-word, attention grabbing title of the 1977 song by Johnny Paycheck.   But, wait… Before you hit “send” on that resignation letter… Consider that the FREEDOM you’re looking for might have more to do with your cognition than your circumstances.   We’ve been (subconsciously) conditioned to think that happiness – of which freedom is an essential ingredient – is circumstance-dependent. 

“Well, I guess it’s back to the grind tomorrow.” That’s what many (if not most) people were thinking (consciously, or subconsciously) last night as they grappled with the reality of returning to work after the weekend. Oh, I almost forgot to say:  “Happy Monday!”  (By the way, we say that phrase tongue-in-cheek because it’s meant

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”  This is what I said to myself as I woke up with a sore throat on the morning of July 4, 2025.   Yes, here it was Independence Day, and now I just knew that my holiday weekend was screwed.   The sore throat, I just knew, would be followed by head congestion, drainage,

The guaranteed way to NOT feel gratitude is to expect that it should come naturally to you.   “You SHOULD be grateful for what you have!”   How many times have you been told that?   Did it work?   Of course not!   Because gratitude comes to us about as naturally as brushing our teeth. And guess what… Our ancestors

The date was April 1st, 2025.  She had gone out for a leisurely walk, minding her own business, soaking up the sights and sounds on this beautiful, blue-sky day.    Pausing for a moment to rest, she suddenly spots him, out of the corner of her eye, staring at her.  This wasn’t the first time she had encountered those

You’ve been lied to.   Granted…by well-meaning people (as if that makes it any less of a lie?).   You’ve been told that forgiveness is a choice – a one-time decision that you must make.   Supposedly, the moment you make that decision, the heavens open and the angels begin singing.  And, if you really mean it, then

There I am…now writing in full screen mode (FSM).   Now, the problem is that my wireless keyboard keeps sliding around on the desk – but only one side of the keyboard. I’m thinking that there’s something wrong with the rubber feet on one side of the keyboard. My first thought is that Apple sold

Here I am, standing at my standing desk, enjoying the ergonomically efficient set up I’ve got.   I’m comfortable and inspired. I’m ready to start writing.   The only problem is that my writing tab window is small enough that I’m able to see 14 other windows open, and in various sizes, running the background