Sadly, today we confuse opinion with truth. We can blame our muddled and disordered political discourse on Michel Foucault. He and other postmodernist philosophers argued that truth is contingent on social context rather than being absolute and universal. Postmodernists contend that truth is always limited rather than absolute and unquestionable. This absurd idea engenders thoughtless…
How do top performers succeed despite the odds? The answer: character. Success goes beyond achievement to encompass a life of excellence and purpose. Top performers exhibit the following characteristics: While successful people often have innate gifts, firmness of purpose, rather than genetic endowment, produces peak performance. Outstanding performance follows commitment and motivation, transforming adversity into…
Democratic backsliding—a transition toward autocracy occurs when political power becomes restrictive and repressive. The following attributes identify democratic erosion: The gradual progression toward autocracy fosters inaction until a specific moment when it becomes evident that autocracy has supplanted democracy—then, it is too late to resist. There are several ways an ordinary citizen can win the fight for…
Last Christmas, Vicki gave me a dozen handkerchiefs. Now they are gone. Disappeared. Not in the handkerchief drawer or the sock drawer. Not in the clothes hamper. I began to wonder,“ Do I have Alzheimer’s disease?” Probably not. The better explanation for the disappearance of my handkerchiefs—THE HIDERS. The hiders are sneaky. They put pencils…
The Tipping Point, a book by Malcolm Gladwell written 25 years ago, compares changes in social phenomena to the spread of infectious diseases. The moment a virus reaches a critical mass is called the tipping point. When this tipping point is reached, a graph illustrating the infection rate shows a sharp upward increase. Gladwell argued…
When considering how to manage life after retirement, you need to know what motivates you: What three activities are most important to you? What three activities give you the most enjoyment? What three things do you want written on your tombstone? What three things do you want to do for others? What three things would…
I’m not a big fan of Facebook because I often find myself going down rabbit holes, wasting time. But today, while posting an article I wrote, I discovered a fantastic site on English literature with some of the best material I’ve seen on the subject: Kami_Arts5, created by Syed Kamran from Leiah, Pakistan. I sent…
Helping others can provide hope during global crises and uncertainty. Instead of focusing on foolish, self-serving, and dangerous global events, we can improve the world around us. In 1970, I came across an excerpt from neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing’s two-volume biography of the esteemed physician Sir William Osler, published in the Journal of the American Medical…
The developing brain proceeds systematically and progressively. Those with an aging brain are increasing in number. In 2020, 55.6 million (17%) of individuals in the United States were older than 65 years of age; by 2040, 22% of the population will be 65 years of age or older. Although the normal brain is an aging…
An ancient legend tells of Damocles, a courtier in the service of Dionysius II, who coveted the pleasures of royalty. Saracen magic placed him at the king’s table eating sumptuous food, drinking the finest wine and enjoying more pleasures than his imagination could conceive. Reclining at the table in satisfaction, Damocles glanced upward. His eye…
Perspective can keep us alive or cause death. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, MD, an Auschwitz survivor and author of Man’s Search for Meaning, wrote about a fellow inmate rendered weak and ill from starvation and debilitating work who determined to live until Christmas because she had heard that the camp would be liberated then. When the…
There are roughly two accounts regarding the universe: 1) The materialistic/atheistic explanation posits that matter and space were created spontaneously and that thinking creatures evolved by some fluke without any purpose; 2) The more common perspective is the religious view. According to this view, a mind or spirit created the universe. This spirit or mind…
Studies show that thankfulness lowers anxiety levels, elevates mood, relieves stress, improves socialization, and stimulates a helpful attitude. Each of us would benefit from focusing on our blessings daily. I spend a few minutes jotting down two or three things I am grateful for, trying to identify something different each day. To do this, I…
The end of the Civil War marked the beginning of reorganization and transformation in American medicine. Doctors began to apply surgical techniques learned during the war; they felt more comfortable using anesthesia. Learning about sanitation, nursing, emergency transport, and hospital construction improved medical care. Basic science became part of medical school training; medical education became…
Sometimes, we consider our problems insurmountable. When you are down and out and feel hopelessly lost in a sea of troubles, consider these figures: If you drove your Porsche 918 Spyder 186,000 miles per second for one year without stopping for gas, a restroom break, or to get directions, you would travel one light-year. The…
According to a New York Times article by Lauren Jackson, spirituality in America may be on the rise. The Pew Research Center found the share of United States adults who have a spiritual belief: On the other hand, Christianity appears to be declining. In 2007, 78% of U.S. adults identified as Christian. By 2024, that…
Five years after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, scientists are gaining a clearer understanding of how the virus can affect the body long after an infection seems resolved. These effects, known as post-COVID-19 (long COVID), can lead to lasting, sometimes invisible changes in various body parts. An infection can cause chronic lung, heart, gut,…
Research by psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky suggests that approximately 50% of our happiness is determined by unalterable factors like our genetic predisposition—our so-called “set point.” We have limited control over our circumstances, environment, or childhood emotional experiences. We can, however, control our attitude regarding these dynamics. According to Lyubomirsky, of the conditions we can control, three…
Perfectionism robs us of contentment and steals our happiness. This tormenting trait increases stress, causes anxiety, and may lead to chronic depression. “Good enough” never satisfies the perfectionist because they want everything to be…perfect. Perfection Grading Scale: Grade yourself on each of the questions below thusly: Questions: Scoring: A score of 25-30 indicates a serious…
Most of us find ourselves trapped on the freeway of rush. We have a texting mentality, a fast-food appetite, and an Instagram philosophy. Before we know it, perhaps even without wanting to, we find ourselves leaping into the commotion without considering our options. Our minds are made static by noise – digital instruments bellowing, TVs…