Christopher Edgar

Embracing Writer’s Block, Part 5: Emptiness Is Fleeting

I do something kind of unusual when I’m writing. (I know, shockingly enough.) I keep a journal of what I’m feeling and thinking when I’m faced with writer’s block. To an outside reader, this journal would probably seem painfully repetitive, because it talks about the same worries again and again. Some common themes are: • “I think I had the last decent idea of... (posted by Christopher 1 year 51 days ago.)

Growing Into Our Humanity, Part 2: The Myth of the “Bulletproof Life”

Once upon a time, my goal was to lead a life that was completely criticism-proof. Once I had the “right” job, credentials, relationship, and so on, no one would ever accuse me of falling short in any area. I’d get nothing but respect from everyone I worked with and knew. Of course, this plan didn’t quite pan out. As wonderful as my job and education may have... (posted by Christopher 1 year 51 days ago.)

What You Focus On Relaxes

A common idea in personal development circles is that “what you focus on expands.” For instance, if you’re feeling sad, focusing your attention on your sadness will only make you sadder. Instead, you need to distract yourself from your sadness by visualizing rainbows, playing with your cat, or doing something else to take your mind off what you’re feeling. In my experience, the opposite is actually... (posted by Christopher 1 year 71 days ago.)

Relationship With Self Creates Relationship With Work

My focus used to be on helping people find fulfilling careers. Like many of us, I assumed that, as soon as we find the “right” career — something we’re passionate about, that pays the bills, that gives us a flexible schedule, or has whatever else we’re looking for in a “dream job” — we’ll get the joy we want out of our work. After spending more... (posted by Christopher 1 year 94 days ago.)

Embracing Writer's Block, Part 4: We're Creative In Every Moment

There’s a lot of advice out there about “how to be creative.” On the surface, this sounds great — everybody wants to come up with useful and profitable ideas, right? But when I look more closely at this kind of advice, and what drives us to seek it out, I feel concerned. On one level, none of us needs to be taught how to create. In every moment, we’re... (posted by Christopher 1 year 94 days ago.)

Growth As An Opiate, Part 5: Self-Development And The “War On Envy”

The idea that societies with more economic inequality -- whether in terms of income, net worth, or something else -- are less moral is nothing new. In the past, people have usually made this argument from a philosophical perspective -- for instance, John Rawls' famous argument that, if you designed a society from scratch, with no idea where you personally would end up on the economic... (posted by Christopher 1 year 172 days ago.)