Pete Wiley, Author at Blocks of Life

November 25, 2023November 22, 2023 by Pete Wiley

Vulnerability—The Benefits of Taking a Chance

Vulnerability is often thought of as a negative state. It is clearly negative in many contexts, such as business strategy, physical infrastructure, or national security. From the perspective of an individual, vulnerability can also feel negative. When you’re vulnerable, there is a greater chance you’ll be hurt, embarrassed, or will fail. But it’s also true that allowing yourself to be vulnerable is a meaningful way to learn (particularly about yourself), grow, and find opportunities you may otherwise have missed.

November 11, 2023November 1, 2023 by Pete Wiley

Living Deeply—The Power of Intuitive Mindfulness

A moment can last a lifetime. When you live in the moment, each moment that passes is a world to itself and can be explored as such. Many people lead very surface lives. They are aware of only what they must be to exist or to pass the time. Through mindfulness, you can learn to find depths to life hidden under the surface. As you dig deeper, you develop an intuitive sense of existence and everything in it. You know and understand patterns of everything you experience and can retain and enhance that intuitive awareness as you go deeper and deeper into your life.

October 28, 2023October 19, 2023 by Pete Wiley

Intentional Engagement—Healthy Existence in a Heartbreaking World

How can I live a normal, comfortable life with so much pain and suffering in the world?

It’s a good question. For some, it’s a source of constant guilt and anxiety. A better (healthier) question might be: Am I doing what I can to decrease the pain and suffering in the world while still leading a fulfilling, meaningful life? The truth is that your suffering doesn’t stop others from suffering, while your working to decrease suffering does. You also might feel you don’t have the right to be happy while there is so much suffering in the world. That, too, begs the question of impact. Will you being miserable make others less miserable? So, how can you reconcile your life with the state of the world?

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments

October 14, 2023October 4, 2023 by Pete Wiley

Your Niche—How Your Strengths Fit into Your Life

What are your strengths? One would think that people know what they’re good at, but as you figure this out, you may hit many bumps and curves along the way. You may also go through periods where you feel you haven’t discerned your strengths and may never figure it out. Somehow, college kids are expected to know what they want to do with their lives as they choose their major at 19! Most of us will try a few things until we find one we like and are good at. But we may continue to have lingering doubts about our choices. Is this my calling—what I want to devote my life to? We may feel like our life is “fine,” but we must keep looking. We have to find our niche.

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September 30, 2023September 21, 2023 by Pete Wiley

Actions and Outcomes—Creating Your Future Through Habits

Nobody is perfect in their habits. There will always be backslides and hiccups related to the good habits we strive for and the bad habits we strive to avoid or control. Sometimes, these lapses can be severe, and depending on the habits involved, they can have significant consequences. People have all kinds of habits, but it can be helpful to think about how they impact your life. Some habits contribute to or detract from your mental or physical health; others may add meaning to your life in various ways. Some may provide spiritual enrichment or a creative outlet. Some may seem easy, while others may be a constant struggle.

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