In my work as a therapist, I find that lying — to oneself and to loved ones — is a major obstacle to change. For many, the advice “just tell the truth” misses the myriad causes of lying and the skill set necessary to tell the truth even when the stakes are high.

If Japanese scientists can turn human waste into artificial steak — or even if the story is a complete hoax — surely we have the technology to tackle the environmental concerns piling up on us as we barrel through the 21st century. What we’re lacking isn’t technology, but solidarity of purpose and will.

When faced with a challenge or when deciding on a goal you want to achieve, do you tackle it with a sense of confidence and the anticipation of eventual success? Or do you feel a sense of dread and impending failure? If it’s the latter, then it may be that your personal sense of self-efficacy needs some attention.

It’s so easy to fear, misunderstand, or dislike those people, places, and things about which you are truly ignorant. But sometimes getting know to them does more than take away the fear or the potential for misunderstanding; sometimes it turns strangers into family.

It’s easy to think of jobs in terms of dollars and cents, but here are eight more factors or “currencies” that make the difference between feeling blessed and feeling cheated on the job.

I started writing a few months ago about our five senses, and I’m ending with the sense of sight; it may be last but it’s very far from least. In fact, the sense of sight is so powerful and all-encompassing that it can actually detract from the subtle messages of our other senses. It permeates our language and has a particular hold on our imagination.

The words “discipline” and “self discipline” are often used as near-synonyms. Yet they are far closer to polar opposites. Understanding the differences between “discipline” and “self-discipline” is key to success for individuals, families, and work groups.