en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1816804 Comments by Steven http://www.theemotionmachine.com/3-false-choices-that-create-unnecessary-problems-in-our-lives-1#IDComment449932267 Thanks, I corrected the error. I was debating that in my head but was thinking of "past" as a noun so it didn't make sense. The English language can be weird sometimes! :) Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:35:28 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/3-false-choices-that-create-unnecessary-problems-in-our-lives-1#IDComment449932267 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/screw-your-excuses#IDComment448830695 Only you can really know. That's why I suggest asking yourself and being completely honest with yourself. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 04:17:01 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/screw-your-excuses#IDComment448830695 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/when-you-should-do-the-opposite-of-what-you-feel#IDComment440059374 Hey Evan, yeah this isn't a strategy that should ALWAYS be used, just one tool that is available to us. Sometimes it IS better to just sit with your emotion, engage with it fully and honestly, and learn from it. Other times it's better to just ignore an unhelpful, pestering emotion and do what you know is the right thing to do in spite of it. Thanks for the comment! Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:01:21 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/when-you-should-do-the-opposite-of-what-you-feel#IDComment440059374 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371080864 Yep, that's ultimately what I do. If you view happiness as a kind of action and engagement, then happiness and motivation are inseparable. Thu, 31 May 2012 14:03:43 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371080864 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371079771 I think this is a really good point, but I also think it's more complicated than that. For example, sometimes I do find myself happy for no particular reason. Do I have to define my happiness then, or is it OK to have a "general good feeling?" Sometimes those general/abstract/intuitive feelings have something more to say than when we attempt to compartmentalize our happiness or define it logically. I do think it's a good point though. Sometimes being unclear about what makes us happy vs. unhappy can lead to more unhappiness. Thu, 31 May 2012 14:01:43 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371079771 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371077285 That's exactly it Michelle! Thu, 31 May 2012 13:57:07 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-complex-relationship-between-happiness-and-motivation#IDComment371077285 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/changing-your-emotional-style#IDComment311733017 The neuroscience stuff doesn't add much new from a practical standpoint, but some people (including myself) like to know that these changes have a real, biological effect - and perhaps aren't just imaginary. I think you know what is referred to when I say "negative emotion" (emotional states we tend to find unpleasant or want to avoid - fear, sadness, guilt, etc.) I understand that all emotions serve a function, but rough distinctions likes "positive" and "negative" still mean something for most people, so I like to talk within those terms. Thu, 8 Mar 2012 23:18:56 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/changing-your-emotional-style#IDComment311733017 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/habit-loops#IDComment311729872 The reward for sites like Reddit maybe entertainment, or information, or just coping with boredom. Thu, 8 Mar 2012 23:15:26 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/habit-loops#IDComment311729872 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/believe-in-yourself-7-basic-principles#IDComment311722255 That is so awesome to hear - thanks for sharing and I'm glad to hear it helped your friend. Thu, 8 Mar 2012 23:06:29 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/believe-in-yourself-7-basic-principles#IDComment311722255 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/why-buying-experiences-is-better-than-buying-stuff#IDComment311721962 You don't spend money AT ALL? I have a hard time believing you. :) Thu, 8 Mar 2012 23:06:04 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/why-buying-experiences-is-better-than-buying-stuff#IDComment311721962 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-war-on-drugs-is-up-in-smoke#IDComment291373728 Drug lords and the black market only exist due to government prohibition. Watch what happened in the 1920s...there are no more alcohol-related mobs, why is that? Because the free trade of alcohol became publicly acceptable. You didn't have to trade beer behind closed doors anymore, you could just go to the stores. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:04:11 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-war-on-drugs-is-up-in-smoke#IDComment291373728 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/why-buying-experiences-is-better-than-buying-stuff#IDComment273547746 Opportunity cost is definitely an important concept for anyone to learn. The concept of buyer's remorse is based on perceived opportunity costs. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:02:37 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/why-buying-experiences-is-better-than-buying-stuff#IDComment273547746 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-purpose-of-thinking#IDComment267903294 What you believe is what you think about what you perceive. :) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:10:54 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-purpose-of-thinking#IDComment267903294 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-purpose-of-thinking#IDComment267288819 The way I see it is: All thoughts are based on concepts, which are based on perceived patterns. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:33:05 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-purpose-of-thinking#IDComment267288819 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/reframing-approach-anxiety#IDComment262261623 Awesome, I love reddit! Thanks. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:18 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/reframing-approach-anxiety#IDComment262261623 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/unschooling-rekindling-the-desire-to-learn#IDComment259479819 I think that's the most reasonable approach to take these days. Taking kids out of traditional school completely can be really daunting. I believe as long as parents play an active and critical role in a child's education outside of schools, they should turn out fine. Mon, 9 Jan 2012 13:22:29 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/unschooling-rekindling-the-desire-to-learn#IDComment259479819 http://linux04.f5key.com/2011/12/7-secrets-to-making-this-year-best-year.html#IDComment252180844 Very, very sound tips for the new year. Thanks! Sun, 1 Jan 2012 14:52:55 +0000 http://linux04.f5key.com/2011/12/7-secrets-to-making-this-year-best-year.html#IDComment252180844 http://beyondgrowth.net/technology-of-the-self/this-too-shall-pass-extending-scope-in-time/#IDComment251797420 I've used this technique on myself for quite awhile now - it works wonders. The lesson of impermanence is probably one of the most valuable things I've learned throughout my growth these past few years. I almost got "this too shall pass" as my first tattoo. Sun, 1 Jan 2012 00:06:14 +0000 http://beyondgrowth.net/technology-of-the-self/this-too-shall-pass-extending-scope-in-time/#IDComment251797420 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-invisible-counselors-technique#IDComment250101201 Hey Darrell, it depends on the problem I'm trying to solve. I've used this technique to help make decisions about my blog and online business. My "invisible counselors" were Pat Flynn, Gary Vaynerchuk, Napoleon Hill, Steve Pavlina, Jonathan Mead, and Ross Jeffries. Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:58:07 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-invisible-counselors-technique#IDComment250101201 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/urge-surfing-how-to-overcome-addictive-behaviors#IDComment233898282 It IS self-control, but it's emphasis is on watching and being fully aware of the sensations of your craving, not ignoring it or trying to fight it. Tue, 6 Dec 2011 23:37:38 +0000 http://www.theemotionmachine.com/urge-surfing-how-to-overcome-addictive-behaviors#IDComment233898282