Open Mind Archives - Blocks of Life

November 7, 2026November 5, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Beyond Winners and Losers

You win some, you lose some. That’s the way it always goes, right? It’s true in many contexts, but the win-or-lose dichotomy is so ingrained in our thinking and behavior that we often overlook win-win scenarios. Not only are these possible, but in many circumstances, they represent the most logical, ethical, and mutually beneficial approach. Of course, some situations lend themselves naturally to competition. But even in a competitive environment, opportunities exist to cooperate, support others, and create outcomes where everyone benefits.

October 10, 2026October 6, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Reason in an Unreasonable Age

Be reasonable! That phrase, often patronizing or pleading, carries a wealth of meaning that goes far beyond a simple call for logic or rationality. There is a certain comfort in the words reason and reasonable. They suggest cooler heads, emotional restraint, and calm. They can also point toward a deliberate, thoughtful approach to problem-solving. In these uncertain times, reason is sorely needed to counter the impulsive, inflammatory words and actions that seem to occur with disturbing regularity. But what does it actually mean to lean into reason?

September 12, 2026August 30, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Making Peace With Time

People have strange relationships with time. Generally, we perceive time as something we either don’t have enough of or have too much of. How often do you have a day when what you do lines up exactly with the time you have? Even those skilled in time management may be able to align their available time with a specific set of activities, but they may still have a long to-do list that never makes it into the daily schedule. For many people, the workweek is a race against available time. But in certain circumstances, or at a certain age, the balance may shift the other way. You may feel the hours stretching out in front of you with no meaningful way to fill them. Is it possible to influence your perception of time passing?

in Open Mind / Proactive 0 comments

August 1, 2026July 30, 2026 by Pete Wiley

What Makes People Lash Out?

Do you believe in the inherent goodness of human nature? If your only contact with people were face-to-face in calm, nonstressful situations, you might conclude that people are generally friendly, polite, and generous. But when certain social dynamics enter the picture, you might come to a very different conclusion. Under particular circumstances, people can seem to lose their empathy, emotional intelligence, and ability to regulate themselves. They lash out. They become harsh, insulting, or even cruel. Why does this happen? How does a person who is normally kind and polite suddenly act like a bully?

in Emotions / Open Mind 0 comments

July 18, 2026July 9, 2026 by Pete Wiley

When a Setback Isn’t a Disaster

When is a setback not a disaster? Those of us who have been fortunate enough to build good lives often begin to view certain elements of those lives as essential to our happiness. If we lose one of them, even temporarily, we may feel as though everything has fallen apart. We may believe we have to start over, when all we really need is a course correction. But if we move through life expecting setbacks and prepare for them as much as possible, our disappointment may be softened. We may even discover opportunities we would not have found otherwise. Disappointments will still come, but they may seem less overwhelming when we place them within the larger context of our lives.

in Emotions / Open Mind / Uncategorized 0 comments