clarity Archives - Blocks of Life

October 25, 2025September 8, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Existential Fatigue—Finding Meaning Amidst the Carnage

I have trouble reading the news these days. I know I have to, and I do, but the overwhelming sense of rage, disappointment, disbelief, and despair takes its toll, and I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. The meaning and fulfillment I get from activities that nourish my soul have diminished during these extraordinary times, which increases my sadness and anger. I soldier on, knowing that these activities do help, and I lean on my belief that the direction of the country will swing again toward compassion and wisdom. But in the meantime, my existential fatigue is something I have to address. Like a medical condition, it’s something I have to take seriously and take steps to mitigate its effects.

August 16, 2025June 17, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Maintaining Clarity Amidst the Challenges of Modern Times

The world has become a complex, busy, challenging place. It can be difficult to cut through the noise to focus on what’s truly important. It can also be hard to achieve mental and emotional clarity. Drastic changes have occurred in our world in a very short time, and people are facing unprecedented challenges, the nature of which was unknown only one hundred years ago. We’re writing the script as we’re acting in the play, and it has resulted in mental health challenges for many, if not most, people. The good news is that we can move toward clarity by acknowledging our circumstances and taking steps to address our challenges.

August 2, 2025June 2, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Making Meaning Matter—Finding Fulfillment in Your Life

What are the ingredients of a meaningful life? The simple answer is finding something personally meaningful to you. But, of course, it’s not that simple. It’s vital to understand how endeavors are meaningful to you. What do they give you? How do they make you feel? There are several ways to consider this. One is that an activity fills you with pride and makes you feel good about yourself and how you spend your time. Another is having a positive impact on the world and making a difference. A third is discovery or developing a deeper understanding of something. A meaningful life may be related to your career, a hobby, or how you interact with people. There are many ways to find meaning in your life.

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments

July 19, 2025May 19, 2025 by Pete Wiley

I Can’t Believe I Said That!

There’s always a grain of truth to anything you say. It may not be in the specific words, but the emotions behind those words are likely genuine. You can’t control your feelings, but your actions are entirely in your control. The trick is discerning what actions are appropriate in different emotional contexts. Saying something you don’t mean is a common outcome of an intense emotional state. You may later look back and find it hard to believe that those words actually came out of your mouth. Rather than feeling regret and anxiety about what you said, it is healthier to explore what you were feeling at the time and, if appropriate, discuss what you said with who you said it.

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments

November 9, 2024October 3, 2024 by Pete Wiley

What are you thinking?—How to Direct Your Thoughts

What are you thinking about… right now?

It’s a simple question, but it’s so important. Our thoughts are the content of our consciousness. They are how we process the world and our experiences. We can choose our thoughts, but only to a certain extent. Errant thoughts will always arise, and some will be unpleasant and unwelcome. Some thoughts may cause worry, sadness, or anger. The relationship between our thoughts and our emotions is direct and often uncontrollable. However, with focus and practice, we can better control our thoughts and the emotions they stir.

in Emotions / Mindful 0 comments