perception Archives - Blocks of Life

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.

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.

in Open Mind / Proactive / Uncategorized 0 comments

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.

in Emotions / Open Mind 0 comments

February 28, 2026March 2, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Wizard of Cause: A Review

If I didn’t know anything about The Wizard of Cause, and I had only read the poem in the preface, A Path to Remembering Your Wholeness, I would already be hooked. What a beautiful and enticing way to introduce the book and quietly signal its themes. The introduction of the main character, Avery, draws the […]

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January 17, 2026January 5, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Regular Reflection—Taking Notice of Your Self-Signals

You are receiving regular communications… from yourself. Many of the messages are ignored, like so many unread emails in your inbox, but they are all delivered. The messages come from your brain, your body, your energy, and your spirit. Everyone notices the big ones, such as injuries, heartache, or fatigue, but there are so many more that may go completely unnoticed. The nuances of your body, mind, and spirit are there for you, and you only need to pay attention and become aware of them.

in Mindful / Proactive 0 comments