I’m working on the next short book in the Small Books. Serious Change. series. The working title is Fear Is a Terrible King.This is the third reflection as I think out loud before the manuscript is finalized. Part 1 can be found here, and Part 2 can be found here. We’ve talked about how fear…
Blame and responsibility are not the same thing.Blame asks: Who caused this?Responsibility asks: What am I going to do now? Those are different questions.And most of us collapse them into one. Someone hurt you.Someone lied.Someone betrayed your trust.Someone handled something poorly.A leader failed.A parent didn’t show up.A spouse shut down.A friend withdrew.A system broke down….
Nothing makes you feel anything. I know that phrase is everywhere.“They made me angry.”“That situation made me anxious.”“He pushed my buttons.” It sounds harmless. It feels accurate. And it is quietly robbing people of agency every single day. Here is the hard truth most of us were never taught:Nothing creates an emotion inside you except…
There is a moment most of us know well. Someone says something, and something rises in you. Maybe their words irritate you. Maybe they sting. Maybe those words—and the feelings they stirred—stay with you longer than they should. You replay the whole thing in your head.You start building a case.You feel justified in your reaction….
It’s become a rallying cry. Parents are told they must validate a child’s emotions during a full-blown tantrum. Adults expect other adults to accept and validate emotional outbursts without question. The message is everywhere.In many ways, this is a good thing. For a long time, emotions were dismissed, minimized, or shamed.But somewhere along the way,…
Keep going. I know that sounds small.Maybe insulting, depending on how heavy things feel right now. When you’re exhausted, numb, or quietly unraveling, “keep going” can feel like something said by people who have never sat where you’re sitting. But I want to say it anyway. I want to say it carefully. Keep going, not…
Strong emotions often arise when we face disagreements on important issues. In these moments, it’s easy to become consumed by anger and, in turn, dehumanize those who hold opposing views. This tendency can emerge in debates over something as simple as dietary choices or as complex as today’s pressing political issues. However, this reaction carries…
The Antidote for Anxiety: How Gratitude and Thankfulness Can Transform Worry We just returned from Thanksgiving weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family and friends. And yet… And yet, more and more people I talk to seem to be experiencing greater and greater amounts of stress, anxiety, and worry. Rising living costs,…
Election season can bring a wave of emotions, often causing anxiety as people anticipate the outcomes and consider their potential impact on daily life. The heightened media coverage, debates, social media conversations, and discussions around complex issues can become overwhelming, leading to what experts call “election anxiety.” And now, on the day of the election,…
The other day, I dropped my son off at youth group, which gave me an opportunity to process my emotions. Growing up, I wasn’t exactly the kind of kid who fit in easily. I was awkward and, if I’m being honest, probably a bit strange.My son and I had a great weekend. We spent most…
