behavior Archives - Blocks of Life

October 24, 2026October 22, 2026 by Pete Wiley

When Regret Becomes Fear

All of us have regrets—cringeworthy moments that we look back on with mortification, shame, and perhaps a healthy dose of self-loathing. But making mistakes is part of learning, growing, and becoming better. Before you allow yourself to become consumed by regret, consider that your mistake was likely a bigger deal in your mind than it was in anyone else’s. You may also have gained something from the experience—insight, wisdom, and, hopefully, newfound empathy—that you wouldn’t have gained otherwise. The biggest mistake you can make is becoming afraid to live your life as your head and heart guide you.

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?

December 13, 2025December 3, 2025 by Pete Wiley

The Skeptic’s Paradox: A Review

I’d never given free will much thought. I make choices all the time, and I’ve felt strongly that those choices are mine. But The Skeptic’s Paradox gave me a lot to think about. As soon as I began reading it, I knew it was going to be right up my alley for exploring what it means to live a meaningful life. Dario Tonelli doesn’t write from a lofty academic tower; he writes from a place of curiosity, of wrestling with the elements of life that we all deal with—freedom, choice, uncertainty—and what it means to live a meaningful life in a world where certainty is never guaranteed.

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November 22, 2025October 21, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Personal Utopia—Improving Society One Person at a Time

What are we working toward as a society? In times of societal upheaval, it can be helpful to know not only what we don’t want, but what we are working toward. The utopian ideal embodies a healthy society: a world in which we all work together toward common goals, where there is no need for greed or the hoarding of wealth, and where we are at peace. Of course, there are conditions we need to overcome to begin working toward that ideal, not the least of which is that, generally, people are greedy and self-centered. We also do not all share the same goals, values, or ways of living. But what if we could find utopia within ourselves? Personal utopia can be achieved, and if enough people achieve it, it will lead toward something more.

in Open Mind / Proactive 0 comments

October 11, 2025September 2, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Grieving for Walter—Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Pet

One of my favorite places at my house is a sitting area under twin holly trees in our backyard. It’s peaceful, private, and comfortable. I record most of my social media videos there, and it’s a favorite place for my wife and me to sit and chat. This week, it became a much more important place to me. We lost a member of our family on Friday, and he is buried under one of the hollies. At first, I thought Walter’s grave might be upsetting or distracting when I work there. The memories of him are overwhelming, and, as he was in life, he’s impossible to ignore. But yesterday, I filmed there for the first time since his passing, and it was the opposite of distracting. I said hello to him and told him that I missed him. When I was filming, it truly felt like he was there with me—curious about my work. I’m so glad he’s there in that special place.

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments