Category

Philosophy

Thank You for Arguing ObservationsPhilosophy

Thank You for Arguing

There are two types of arguing. The first type, which most of us—for good reason—like to avoid but often find ourselves engaging in, is the kind where we approach the argument with the attitude, I know I’m right, and I’m certain you are wrong. The second type enters the argument with the attitude, I think I’m right, but I might be wrong. Let’s take a gander and see where each of these approaches might take us. Any argument that involves a person with the I’m Right, You’re Wrong mindset is a completely pointless argument—unless, of course, the point is to…
January 23, 2026
Am I Really a Direct Person? ObservationsPhilosophy

Am I Really a Direct Person?

When I worked at Salt Lake Community College, people would often tell me I was a very direct person. This surprised me. Most people I know well would say that I am a very kind, caring, fun, people-oriented person. So what was up with that? The more I reflected on it, the more I realized the problem was in my definition of direct. When I think of a direct person, I think of someone who is very vocal about generally negative things and doesn’t seem to care about what others think. And while this could describe a direct person, it’s…
January 23, 2026
No Room for Complaining – Defining Your Problems ObservationsPhilosophy

No Room for Complaining – Defining Your Problems

Some people say that there is nothing wrong with complaining as long as it is followed up with at least three ideas for solutions. In fact, at one time, that was my approach. However, I have since learned there is a better way. What I would say to my staff today is that complaining is not welcome here; however, we actively invite you to share problems you identify once there is a mutually agreed-upon definition of that problem. Too often, people either complain about problems without doing anything about them (which is counterproductive because of the negative environment that kind…
January 23, 2026
Breaking Free from the Toxic Need to Vent ObservationsPhilosophy

Breaking Free from the Toxic Need to Vent

I've had a tendency now and again to waste a lot of time pontificating with others about things I don't like, disagree with, or about my limited-view perceptions—and their limited-view perceptions—of the world and the people around us. Most of the time we called this "venting" as a way to soften what it really was and make it sound like a necessary and healthy thing to do. But as I look back, I can tell you that very little good ever came from venting. What the practice of venting did give birth to was the following: ONE: I strengthened the…
January 23, 2026
Working with Me Philosophy

Working with Me

I got this idea of creating a "Working with Me" document from the Tim Ferriss podcast. I wish I could remember who he was interviewing. The basic idea is that we often assume that other's around us know the best way to work with us because we know what we like. Sort of like a toddler who assumes that everyone knows where the hidden toy is because he hid it and knows where it is. But the reality is that unless you have clearly communicated your preferences for how others should work with you, they probably don't know. And that…
June 12, 2024
On Nature Photography & Relinquishing Control Canyonlands from Mesa ArchNatureObservationsPhilosophy

On Nature Photography & Relinquishing Control

Nature photography is an art of unpredictability. It is an art of acceptance and adaptability, an art of patience and awareness. I was surprised, when I visited Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, to find amidst the morning stillness, the gradually warming light, and the echoes of little critters going about their day, a handful of cranky photographers who had travelled hundreds of miles to reach this destination and capture an image that had been photographed thousands of times, bickering with “tourists” who were “in their shot”. A shot they had seemingly waited their entire life to photograph, on which…
May 3, 2024
On Being a Dad Expert Kicks & GigglesObservationsPhilosophy

On Being a Dad Expert

As a parent of curious children you have to be pretty much an expert in everything. “Dad, when was Dr. Seuss born?” “Dad, George Washington like cake?” “Dad, do Walruses dream?” “Dad, how do you build an airplane?” And they ask with such complete and utter confidence that you will know the answer to every question that pops into their minds that somehow the answers just seem to come.
March 2, 2024
Getting More Out of My Days Yellowstone GeyserPhilosophy

Getting More Out of My Days

Today my thoughts, words, and actions are my choice, To wander aimlessly t’ward every thing that vehemently demands my attention, Or to face my challenges like water; immune to impact, adaptable to change, and always focused toward finding that path that leads toward that great calm body I’ll experience moments good and bad in complete presence of mind. A bright light in the fog that flows fluidly around obstacles whose material illusion is nothing.
June 12, 2017
Creating Goals Worth Pursuing Philosophy

Creating Goals Worth Pursuing

If we are truly interested in achieving our dreams and expanding our ability to make a difference in the world with what we do then we have to make time to make this happen RIGHT NOW. So grab a paper and pencil and get ready to start something amazing. No matter how busy you think you are, you have the ability to make time. The world will still exist tomorrow if you don’t do whatever “busy” to-do item you think is so critical today. Systems can be over-ridden to make exceptions, deadlines adjusted, impatient people will eventually calm down, law suits…
May 12, 2017
8 Questions You Should Ask Yourself About Social Media ObservationsPhilosophy

8 Questions You Should Ask Yourself About Social Media

About three years ago I decided to say adieu to my facebook page. I almost went to the extreme of deleting my account, but decided that perhaps down the road I might find some use in it. I went almost two yeas without logging into my account and then one day figured what they hey and logged back in, luckily, with a completely different perspective than I began with two years prior. Below are the questions that inspired my leave of abscense and my own personal asnwers at the time. How do I feel when I am using social media? I…
May 12, 2017