There are instances when worrying can be constructive. I call it “constructive anxiety.” For example, it can help you prepare for something important, like delivering a speech in front of a large audience. Moderate levels of worry can help mentally prepare you for stressful tasks. However, excessive worry drains your energy and instills fear, making it a potentially distracting emotion when used in excess. But, is worry really worth the trouble?

Regret is a thief. It can literally rob your life of joy and happiness. It is the enemy of imagination, creativity, and, most importantly, contentment. You simply cannot be content and regretful at the same time.

Regret is the most private feeling or emotion we own. Nobody really wants to air all of their dirty laundry, right? Deep down, we all have a lockbox full of those cringeworthy decisions. Decisions that, when replayed in our minds, can stop us in our tracks.

As we approach Independence Day, an American holiday loaded with baseball and hot dogs, I’m mindful of the ties that bind. The things that bind us together as a nation. Things like patriotism, family, friendship and faith in a higher power. Those long-held American values that define us and make America great. (They also form the foundation of every good country music song.) But, as we approach Independence Day in the United States, we are seeing a rising level of, well, independence. And, a sense that people are abandoning these long-held values.

Life isn’t about avoiding struggle. It’s about how we see those challenges and our ability to come back stronger, wiser. As the saying goes, nobody gets out of here alive. Nobody. So, let's dive into to the three secrets of resilient people.

I believe that most people in this country are good people. I believe that most people in this country are kind. And, that we are the friendliest and most generous country on earth. But, every once in a while we run into Ass-Clowns. You know, those people that enjoy making an ass of themselves? These kind of people can lead you to believe that the world has changed; has become less friendly and more self serving. Maybe. But, for the most part, nothing has changed. I’ve started to catalog some of the nice things that happen during my day. And, I’ve found some great thinkers that agree with me. You’ll love this episode and likely feel better about the world in ten minutes or less.

Over 60% of young men are single today. Why? They just aren’t interested in having sex. What???

It’s true. Young men today are more than twice as likely as young women to be unattached, asexual, lonely and friendless. I wrote about this earlier in a piece called The Laziest Generation in American History and The Friendless American Male. This asexual trend applies to both heterosexual and LGB males. So, why is this happening? You'll have to tune in to this week's episode of Wit & Wisdom to find out.

McLeod Buckham-White was, perhaps, the finest young man I’ve ever met. On the outside he was a quiet, humble soul whose smile and amazing voice could light up a room. On the inside he was quietly troubled by forces greater than himself. On March 30, 2023, McLeod Buckham-White climbed the steps of the Wien Residence Hall at Columbia College in New York and “slipped the surly bonds of earth”, ending the battle that had been raging inside of him.

Life is full of an enormous amount of uncertainty. It's painful, at times. That uncertainty, and our willingness to embrace it, is the key to spiritual growth.

Have you ever wondered what the key ingredients of a meaningful life are? An 80 year old Harvard study on aging holds the secret.

I think you can learn a lot about people by how they handle bullshit. When you watch someone totally lose their marbles on an airline gate agent over a delayed flight, it tells you something about them. It tells you they don’t do travel very well. It tells me they don’t do life very well, either. Cause when things go awry, it doesn’t matter who you are. Or, what your status is. Or, how important you think you are. Delays in travel are normal bullshit. And, losing all your marbles won’t change the outcome. In fact, you’re just making an unfortunate situation worse for everyone else. (And, you may never see your luggage again.)