by Brian Balke | Oct 15, 2021 | Case History
We know the value of virtue when it shines into our lives. Those that bring that grace, however, often fail to realize how important it is to turn that light inward. That oversight allows corruption to take root in the darkness. My client – “Gustav” below – was a 51...
by Brian Balke | Sep 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
While most of us would prefer to be happy rather than anxious, we should admit that happy can be a lazy place to be. Our most creative moments are moments of play, when we shift rapidly between happy and anxious. The difficulty arises when we have a source of stress...
by Brian Balke | Aug 13, 2021 | Mind Management
Every addictive substance and activity activates our dopamine system. This network of neurons alerts us that “what comes next is important.” What would happen, then if every cocktail napkin offered moral guidance? Would that help reduce the tide of...
by Brian Balke | Jul 10, 2021 | Book Reviews
If one was to specify an affliction ideally suited to investigation of personality structures, depression qualifies. The condition is progressive, starting as a mood that, left unchecked, slides into debilitation. While it can be comorbid with suicidal ideation, the...
by Brian Balke | May 13, 2021 | Basics
The movie “Inside Out” reinforces the idea that emotions are all in your head. They are not. Emotions are your organic response to experience. They involve hormones and blood flow and muscle tension and more – all contributing to create subtle...
