Open Mind Archives - Blocks of Life

July 4, 2026July 1, 2026 by Pete Wiley

When “I Have To” Isn’t Enough

Do what you love, and you’ll lead a happy life, right? Well, it’s not always that simple. No one does only what makes them happy. There will always be parts of life we would rather avoid: certain duties at work, housework, commuting, social obligations, and even activities we may feel uneasy about doing. Responsibilities are part of life. But if we look more closely at the things we do because we feel we “have to,” we may discover that some are not as burdensome as we assumed, while others may not truly be required of us at all.

June 20, 2026June 11, 2026 by Pete Wiley

How Connection Helps Us Grow

Personal growth can happen in many ways, but it is difficult to attain in isolation. Growth often occurs when we challenge ourselves, remain open to other people’s ideas and values, and explore the edges of our own comfort zones. All of these paths have an internal component, but they also involve engagement with others. To benefit fully from these experiences, you must be intentional about both the inner work and the connections that help shape it.

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May 23, 2026May 14, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Life Interruptions—Disruptions or Opportunities?

Life never works out exactly how you envision it, and for the most part, that’s a good thing. It may not seem like it at the time, especially if something important is disrupted, but for most people, a break in routine is healthy. An interruption can allow you to take stock of where you are, to spend time with the people who are important to you, and to gain perspective on what is truly a priority for you. Planned breaks in routine, such as vacations, can also serve these purposes, but they tend to be hectic and require planning. An unanticipated break jumps outside of your normal routine and organizational approach, and “clears the decks” mentally and emotionally.

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May 9, 2026April 29, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Navigating the Rocky Road to Confidence

There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, closed-mindedness, and dogmatism. Confidence is generally considered to be a positive attribute, but it’s a slippery slope toward more closed-minded attributes. Confidence is an important attribute, but you can’t just turn it on; it has to be developed over time through experience. Some seem to have confidence from the moment they can walk and talk, but even those with natural confidence have to test that confidence through their experiences and interactions. The key is to learn what you’re capable of, what your strengths are, and how to be consistent in your behavior.

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March 28, 2026March 23, 2026 by Pete Wiley

The Important Stuff—Focusing on What Matters

Life gets hectic. It’s easy to focus on the details and minutiae of your daily life and neglect the truly important aspects. People make to-do lists and schedules, and they have goals and ambitions. They plan their days around these elements and consider themselves unavailable for other possibilities. On the surface, this is fine; it’s good to be organized and manage your time well. On the other hand, it’s also possible to be too rigid. If something unrelated to your work or goals comes up, it’s easy not to give it a second thought and conclude that you have no available time.

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