Life Saving Philosophy

Plans are like signposts that help us envision the road ahead, but they should not rule out a wondrous detour nor should old goals prove a roadblock to a new, more fulfilling direction. Flexibility can be our best ally.

Sensation-Seeking

The Sweet Satisfaction of Risk-Taking

Marietta McCarty on February 24, 2013

What a thrill to take a noble risk regardless of outcome, hopeful for the future but uncertain of what lies ahead. Eavesdrop on some of the stories shared by those who dared and decided to try. How about sticking your neck out just far enough to see the possibilities?

What a thrill to take a noble risk regardless of outcome, hopeful for the future but uncertain of what lies ahead. Eavesdrop on some of the stories shared by those who dared and decided to try. How about sticking your neck out just far enough to see the possibilities?

Anger

Downsizing the Furniture in Your Mind

Marietta McCarty on February 13, 2013

We all know what it's like to try to move around in a crowded room. Our minds are no different. Here are two approaches to mind cleansing put to good use by my harried students and readers, and in combination these tactics are powerful. Be still.... Be vigilant.

We all know what it's like to try to move around in a crowded room. Our minds are no different. Here are two approaches to mind cleansing put to good use by my harried students and readers, and in combination these tactics are powerful. Be still.... Be vigilant.

Education

Remember Your Peak Learning Experience? Pass It On!

Marietta McCarty on January 26, 2013

Whatever your peak learning moment, it is that very exhilaration that you want to give to your student. Make education irresistible. Make it matter. Your teacher's guide, whatever the subject may be, is your own learning experience that will stay with you always.

Whatever your peak learning moment, it is that very exhilaration that you want to give to your student. Make education irresistible. Make it matter. Your teacher's guide, whatever the subject may be, is your own learning experience that will stay with you always.

Friends

Treats for 2013: Indulging in Food, Poetry, Film, Friends...

Marietta McCarty on January 1, 2013

What do you think about making a New Year's resolve to soak up the arts and come together with family and friends? We forget how much this matters. Ah. Slow down just long enough....

What do you think about making a New Year's resolve to soak up the arts and come together with family and friends? We forget how much this matters. Ah. Slow down just long enough....

I am struck by the futility of "making sense" of what happened in Connecticut. Reason is not up to that task. Three different points of view—the first from nineteenth century Russia, the second from a grieving father, and the last from one of my first-grade child philosophers—somehow steady me.

Relationships

Self-Awareness: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Marietta McCarty on December 6, 2012

How invaluable is the possession of self-awareness? Our relationships can flourish only if we cultivate self-awareness. Only I can stand guard over myself—watching and listening.

How invaluable is the possession of self-awareness? Our relationships can flourish only if we cultivate self-awareness. Only I can stand guard over myself—watching and listening.

I was brought alive by a ten-year-old girl who appeared at my side. Gratitude takes over if you let it.

"What we learn in time of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise." These words from twentieth-century philosopher Albert Camus ring out loud amidst the tragedy and loss suffered due to the hurricane. Might we be better than we think? Do we care more than we sometimes realize?

Relationships

What the Dalai Lama Knows

Marietta McCarty on October 21, 2012

What core beliefs do you know to be true? Do you share any of the Dalai Lama's convictions? For example: "We all have by nature the sense of love...." Do you agree that: "You should not think that we human beings are something negative and the future is doomed?"

What core beliefs do you know to be true? Do you share any of the Dalai Lama's convictions? For example: "We all have by nature the sense of love...." Do you agree that: "You should not think that we human beings are something negative and the future is doomed?"

Appetite

Satisfying the Hunger for Communication

Marietta McCarty on October 10, 2012

Communication builds relationships. Why not cultivate a readiness to listen? What's to lose? What's to be gained? Here's how....

Communication builds relationships. Why not cultivate a readiness to listen? What's to lose? What's to be gained? Here's how....

Time Management

Set Your Clocks to Now

Marietta McCarty on September 24, 2012

Child philosophers share their ideas on time, aging, and living in the present moment. If humans invented the concept of time, they ought to be able to control it. Here's how, now....

Child philosophers share their ideas on time, aging, and living in the present moment. If humans invented the concept of time, they ought to be able to control it. Here's how, now....

Politics

Plato on Politics in 2012

Marietta McCarty on September 10, 2012

Gather some folks for dinner and ask each to bring an idea that they would like to understand better. Work together on clarity. We're modern-day cave-dwellers, stuck because we can't grasp the basic meaning of such ideas as responsibility, empathy, justice, education, and freedom. Let's get started again!

Gather some folks for dinner and ask each to bring an idea that they would like to understand better. Work together on clarity. We're modern-day cave-dwellers, stuck because we can't grasp the basic meaning of such ideas as responsibility, empathy, justice, education, and freedom. Let's get started again!

Ethics and Morality

Owning Your Life

Marietta McCarty on August 27, 2012

When we tackle our personal weaknesses, we take charge of our lives. Our strengths shine through more clearly. The refusal to own one's life and do the best job on ourselves we can is unfair to everyone whose life we touch.

When we tackle our personal weaknesses, we take charge of our lives. Our strengths shine through more clearly. The refusal to own one's life and do the best job on ourselves we can is unfair to everyone whose life we touch.

The centrality of giving and receiving kindness in any life well lived often gets overlooked. It's the sturdy bridge forward but often gets swept under the rug of self-absorption and busyness. Let's take time to recognize its essential place in every life.

Environment

Living in Tune with Nature’s Beat

Marietta McCarty on July 30, 2012

What does it take to "hold fast to the center," as Lao Tzu suggests, where nature's universal beat thrums steadily? Here are four things that participants in recent groups have tried with success, discovering inner peace that grows with practice.

What does it take to "hold fast to the center," as Lao Tzu suggests, where nature's universal beat thrums steadily? Here are four things that participants in recent groups have tried with success, discovering inner peace that grows with practice.

Relationships

Chatting About Democracy

Marietta McCarty on July 2, 2012

What aspects of life in the United States beckon people from all over the world to this country? What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than by taking a close look at the nation?

What aspects of life in the United States beckon people from all over the world to this country? What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than by taking a close look at the nation?

The disciplined practice of focused laughter reaps tremendous results: perspective, calm, clarity return unasked. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Sport and Competition

12 Life Lessons from the French Open

Marietta McCarty on June 11, 2012

Here's a sampler of philosophical wisdom showcased at this year's French Open. Competitive fire and modesty can coexist. Invent your style. Differences can be bridged: by a sport, by music, by open minds and hearts.

Here's a sampler of philosophical wisdom showcased at this year's French Open. Competitive fire and modesty can coexist. Invent your style. Differences can be bridged: by a sport, by music, by open minds and hearts.

Gratitude

Child Philosophers Envision Unlimited Possibility

Marietta McCarty on May 17, 2012

One of my favorite discussions with children is their awareness that they have a life that is uniquely their own, a life for which they are responsible, partially now and completely soon enough. What's possible?

One of my favorite discussions with children is their awareness that they have a life that is uniquely their own, a life for which they are responsible, partially now and completely soon enough. What's possible?