Alex Pattakos

Escaping Your Inner Mental Prison

Alex Pattakos | Posted 10.21.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Although we are not always aware of it, meaning is present in every moment, even in what may be viewed as the darkest hours of our lives.

Patrick Swayze and the Meaning of Life's Moments

Alex Pattakos | Posted 11.15.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Swayze's words and actions throughout his very personal and, unfortunately, sometimes very public ordeal underscore that, in all situations, no matter how desperate they may appear or actually be, you always have the ultimate freedom to choose your attitude.

The Lost Feminine

Alex Pattakos | Posted 09.14.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

As a Greek-American of Cretan heritage, who has been actively engaged in the process of reconnecting with my roots, I found the standing and role of women in Greek culture and society, both in their religious and secular senses, to be a very meaningful topic.

Swine Flu and the Paradox of Intention

Alex Pattakos | Posted 06.27.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Let me suggest that you try to let go and lighten up about the situation you are facing -- be it the swine flu or anything else in your personal or work life.

Dancing In The Footsteps Of Zorba The Greek!

Alex Pattakos | Posted 04.25.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

As a Greek-American, March 25th marks a very important day for me: "Greek Independence Day." On this day in 1821, the Greeks decided to take up arms ...

Love: The Ultimate And Highest Goal

Alex Pattakos | Posted 03.14.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is probably as good a time as ever to discuss the relationship between "love" and the "search for me...

Living with Meaning: Shift Your Focus Of Attention

Alex Pattakos | Posted 03.07.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean near the island of Sumatra triggered one of the worst natural disasters in memory, know...

The Search For Meaning In Government Service

Alex Pattakos | Posted 02.28.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Question: Why doesn't the civil servant look out her window in the morning? Answer: So she'll have something to do in the afternoon. Doing the public...

Be Realistic, Expect Miracles: US Airways Flight 1549 And The Spirit of Service

Alex Pattakos | Posted 02.21.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

It is being called the "Miracle on the Hudson." On Thursday, January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River minutes after tak...

What Kind Of Role Model Are You?

Alex Pattakos | Posted 02.14.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

A dear friend of mine died this past week from pancreatic cancer. Juan was only 57 years old, and unlike either Patrick Swayze or Steve Jobs, he did ...

Bouvie And Me: Things I Learn From My Dog

Alex Pattakos | Posted 02.07.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Over the holidays, I went to see the movie, "Marley & Me," which is based on The New York Times bestselling autobiographical book, Marley & Me: Life a...

Are You A Prisoner Of Your Thoughts?

Alex Pattakos | Posted 01.31.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

The ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who was a contemporary of Confucius, Lao Tsu, and the Buddha, is reported to have said that "you can never ...

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

Alex Pattakos | Posted 01.24.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

It's that time of year again! You know, when we not only should be in the "holiday spirit" but also should be preparing for the New Year. There is n...

Meaningful Capitalism: Change We Can Believe In

Alex Pattakos | Posted 01.17.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

"The Times They Are A-Changin," sang Bob Dylan, which is one of his most famous title tracks for it captured the spirit of social and political upheav...

True Optimism: A Prescription for Getting Through Hard Times

Alex Pattakos | Posted 01.10.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" cried Chicken Little. If you are unfamiliar or don't remember the story of Chicken Little, I invite you to...

How To Tame Your "Inner Brat"

Alex Pattakos | Posted 01.03.2009 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Consider this: as consumers in a highly-technical society, we have come to expect efficiency and convenience, as well as instant gratification and quick turnarounds.

And The Oscar Goes To...You!

Alex Pattakos | Posted 12.27.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Did you know that, like the actors who receive Academy Awards for their outstanding performances, each of us plays the leading role in our own life's movie?

Being Thankful for Dyslexia

Laurie Nadel | Posted 12.26.2008 | Living


Laurie Nadel

A study conducted at the Cass Business School in London last year found that 35 percent of successful entrepreneurs identified themselves as dyslexic.

Living With Meaning: Look At Yourself From A Distance

Alex Pattakos | Posted 12.20.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

The ad in a London newspaper read, "Unemployed. Brilliant mind offers its services completely free; the survival of the body must be provided for by ...

Can You Deal With Life's "Crises"?

Alex Pattakos | Posted 12.13.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Faced with an economic crisis, a housing crisis, a healthcare crisis, a global warming crisis, and a "war on terror" that appears to have no end in si...

Our Cry For Meaning: Aggression, Addiction, Depression

Alex Pattakos | Posted 12.06.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Some 50 years ago, the world-renown psychiatrist and Nazi concentration camp survivor, Dr. Viktor Frankl, called attention to three major societal ill...

Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Meaning

Alex Pattakos | Posted 11.29.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

The introduction to the Declaration of Independence contains the following words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created e...

Revisiting the War on Poverty

Alex Pattakos | Posted 11.15.2008 | Politics


Alex Pattakos

As a "human services warrior" in the 1970s, I vividly recall how difficult it was to wage the "war" on poverty under such conflicting and confusing policy positions.

Living with Meaning: Don't Work Against Yourself

Alex Pattakos | Posted 11.15.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

Good intentions are not enough--no matter how well intended they may be. Paradoxically, if we become fixated or obsessed with our intentions, we may a...

The Meaning and Power of Forgiveness

Alex Pattakos | Posted 11.08.2008 | Living


Alex Pattakos

In light of everything that is going on in our country and the world right now, including the financial crisis and political discord that are now on c...