Most people seem to think that being confused is a sign that something is wrong with them.  That is the wrong conclusion.  Confusion actually indicates that we are entering uncharted waters.  I get confused when the situation I am in doesn’t fit into my mental map of the universe.  That makes it an opportunity to increase my understanding and to make the map in my brain more accurate.

Confusion is uncomfortable, but retreating from confusing situations will not keep me from becoming conf...

Continue reading ...

Not all of the people I enjoyed hanging out with are real friends.  Some of them were only interested in having fun together, they discouraged me from doing things that didn’t involve them – it is as if they only thought of me as a plaything, one of their toys.  My real friends wanted to see me succeed and encouraged me to try new things, even if it meant moving on without them.  Those are the people that I have actually stayed close to decades later.  They are the people who care enoug...

Continue reading ...

My reality still isn't all I want it to be.  So I'll keep dreaming of better futures.

It is easy to get so involved with the details of daily life that we neglect to think about our ideal life.  A good dream is like a compass; it keeps us pointed in the desired direction.

Continue reading ...

Most of the time, I want to take the quickest, most efficient route to my destination.  But, sometimes I’d rather take a scenic route or simply explore.  Even when I know what is the best way for me to go, I am not in a position to judge what is best for someone else.

Continue reading ...

I had plans, and tickets, to return home from Texas via St.Louis.  An ice storm got in my way.  If I stuck with my plan, I'd be sitting in San Antonio still waiting for an empty seat after the storm finally cleared.  Making an early switch to a southern route let me get home only 2 hours after my original plan.
My natural tendency is to be persistent in the face of a challenge.  However, Persistence is a good trait only if you are persistently doing something productive.  Sometimes it is bette...
Continue reading ...