Wandering Into Wisdom

This blog chronicles the knowledge, insight and wisdom I encounter every day as a leadership consultant, executive coach, educator, father, friend and citizen. This site is dedicated to my father, Louis (Jack) Laughlin, who passed on to me an appreciation for wisdom. A special thanks to my friend Isaac Cheifetz, a businessman and journalist, who helped me understand the value of blogs and encouraged me to write one.

What Scares You

Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine” examines the role of a fear-based culture in the Columbine shootings. Candidates talked about a “Culture of Fear” as they attempted to neutralize messages that leveraged fear in the recent election. Normal levels of fear serve to keep us away from danger. Excessive fear of disappointment and loss make our lives smaller as we become controlling, selfish and reluctant to take risks. Pathological fear makes us paranoid and incapable of normal social interaction. In the end, it is only through acceptance of our limitations and vulnerabilities that we prevent fear from ruling and ruining our lives.