OCD: The Pendulum of Caution, Risk, and Reasonable Doubt

February 24, 2010

I was once a bit OCD. I don’t mean that my house was neat and tidy (though it probably was), or that I was a control freak (though I definitely was); but rather, I had obsessive thoughts that I compulsively acted on, even when I knew I shouldn’t. I would tell myself NOT to act on those thoughts… but, when they arose, it was like I was on autopilot. I absolutely, compulsively, had to follow through, no matter what.

When I was dealing with this issue, I learned that OCD people live in an imaginary world that is Beyond Reasonable Doubt. Some doubts, of course, are reasonable and prudent.

For instance:

I just cut raw chicken on the counter, so I should disinfect it. (Reasonable)

Posted in bad habits, balance, choices, compulsions, mental health 37 Comments »

4 Things You Need to Know About ALL Ideas

February 22, 2010

Please Note: This is a guest post by Christopher Kabamba, of consciouSynthesis.

Every now and then, I come across the word “hype” as I try to read my way to a better life for myself and the people around me. It is a word which, in the realm of personal growth and development, is usually used to refer to ideas that promise a runway in your backyard and a mansion in the middle of the sea.

The promise is not always material possessions; at times there is no specific promise at all. You know what I am talking about… the carefully choreographed words that seem intended just to make you feel good, while you wallow in your problems; all the big words from past sages, which at face value seem to promise more that they can deliver.

Posted in Life, helping others 26 Comments »

Mommy Wars, the Opt-Out Revolution, and the Right to Choose

February 19, 2010

I’ve seen a few posts around lately about women’s liberation, feminism, empowered women, and all that Mary Wollstonecraft kind of talk. I like that stuff alright. I got my Pilot’s License and MBA, worked in Corporate Finance and International Sales, drove a stick-shift 4×4 truck even before I moved to Georgia… I can hang with the big boys when needed, or desired.

I get it. I really do.

What I don’t get is why “empowered women” look down on stay-at-home wives and mothers as if we’re single-handedly responsible for undoing all the progress the feminist movement fought so hard to achieve.

See, to me, a “liberated woman” has the right to CHOOSE whatever she wants.

Posted in choices 60 Comments »