Category: philosophical counseling

• March 2, 2011

  You can’t be anything you want to be

  Challenges to Common Sense 1. “You can be anything you want to be.” I think genes might beg to differ. 2. “All you need is love.” Unfortunately, love doesn’t buy bread. (Love is somewhere down the line.) 3. “Practice random acts of kindness.” Better: consistent acts of mindful kindness. 4. “Follow your dreams.” Or you could…
• March 1, 2011

  On playing things by ear

  I’m not very good at playing things by ear. I like to have my ducks in a row, my affairs in order, my kingdom neat and tidy, my shoulders squared. I don’t know how to say “wait and see,” “let’s check back later on this week,” “perhaps next month.” Pin things down, and I am…
• February 27, 2011

  On the art of letting go

  A Sunday Meditation I do not let go of things easily. I hold on to them for far too long. I need to learn how to let go. 1. Letting go is also a letting in. 2. Death does not always beget life, but life can come as a surprise. 3. When certain pursuits dry up,…
• February 25, 2011

  How can I lead a life of the mind outside the academy? On the freelancing virtues (part 4)

  This is Part 4 of a 4-part series on leading the life of the mind outside the academy. In Part 1, I examined 3 models for living well. In Part 2, I discussed what we need to do in order to change our conception of leading a life of the mind. In Part 3, I tried to give…
• February 24, 2011

  How can I lead a life of the mind outside the university? On re-conceiving ourselves (part 3)

  This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on leading the life of the mind outside the academy. In Part 1, I examined 3 models for living well. In Part 2, I discussed what we need to do in order to change our conception of leading a life of the mind. In Part 3, I try to give a…