Justin Altschuler, MD

The stories we tell ourselves are sometimes helpful– and sometimes not so helpful. Most of the time though, we don’t even realize that we are telling ourselves a story. The meaning we have made of our life is so ingrained that it is invisible.

Many of us know the parable of the three stonemasons. Here’s another version:

A society that values possessions over contributions grows hollow. Communities don’t thrive because a few get rich or loud—they thrive because people invest in each other. The world we focus on shapes us. Let’s choose to show up for each other— not the social media algorithms that stoke our rage

The online world rewards outrage, the loudest voices, and viral anger. Offline, people work hard, make tough choices, and support each other. Social media distorts our sense of normal—curated wealth & trolling aren’t reality.

Benjamin Franklin said in America, we ask “What can you do?” not “What do you have?” Lately, it feels like we’ve lost that. Online, wealth & status get all the attention. But in real life, I see people showing up—coaching, parenting, helping neighbors. That’s Franklin’s America

Why is it that online, everyone is kind of miserable whereas offline people are kind, decent, and trying hard to do the right thing?

one that holds us back. We must ask ourselves: Are the behaviors we practice leading us toward the person we want to be? Or are we simply becoming comfortable with habits that undermine our values?

wrong, through repetition, becomes normalized—even if it harms us or diminishes our relationships.

This shows the dual nature of change: repetition can lead to either growth or regression. Our challenge is to be mindful of what we normalize in our lives—whether it’s a positive habit or

recovery from addiction or mending relationships.

However, this principle is not inherently positive. Just as positive behaviors become easier with practice, so do negative ones. Think about how checking our phones during conversations once felt intrusive but is now commonplace. What once felt

Growth and progress often require us to do things that feel uncomfortable at first. Trying something new—whether learning to drive or starting a new habit—can be awkward. But with time and repetition, what was once difficult becomes second nature. This process is essential to development, including…

Society changes just like we do—gradually. Coarseness, dishonesty, and division didn’t become normal all at once. Each instance made the next more tolerable. Our choices shape our culture. What are we accepting today that we’ll regret tomorrow?

Bad habits don’t feel natural at first. Skipping workouts, endless scrolling, or small lies can feel wrong—but over time, repetition makes them automatic. What we practice becomes who we are. Be mindful of what you’re normalizing.

Doc’s Thoughts Every week, Dr. Justin Altschuler writes a post that provides new insight and perspective into the familiar parts of life, helping readers live a healthy, happy, meaningful life.

Norms and habits evolve slowly. What seems startling now may be standard tomorrow if we permit it. Like daily fast food, rudeness and deceit didn’t normalize instantly—they snuck in. Let’s be conscious of the values we uphold for ourselves and society.

Misdiagnosing laziness as the problem sets us up for failure. Yelling "try harder" won’t solve fear, time scarcity, or overwhelm. Real change starts with curiosity: What’s underneath the resistance that we call "lazy"?

When change feels impossible, laziness isn't the culprit. It's the easier excuse, covering fears, loneliness, or logistical barriers. Naming the real issue isn't just brave—it's the first step toward progress.

"I'm lazy" often masks deeper truths. People working 12-hour days or raising kids while juggling jobs rarely lack effort. So, what's really holding us back? Fear, stress, and uncertainty. Let's rethink laziness. Read the whole essay here: https://astounding-speaker-3422.kit.com

The real issue with blaming laziness? It leads to solutions that don’t work. Telling ourselves to “try harder” won’t fix fear, loneliness, or lack of time.

Real progress starts with curiosity: What’s underneath the resistance we call laziness? Once we name it, we can address it

"Laziness" is often a cover for deeper challenges:

Fear of failure or discomfort
Uncertainty about where to start
Stress or time scarcity
Admitting these reasons takes courage, but it’s the first step toward real change. Blaming laziness keeps us stuck.

Ever blame "laziness" for not making a change? Let’s unpack that. Most people who call themselves lazy are anything but. They’re working long hours, juggling responsibilities, and constantly on the move. So, why does change feel so hard?

What’s the cost of staying in your comfort zone? The risk of inaction can be far greater than failure itself. We grow by taking risks, even when things don’t go perfectly. Don’t fear failure—fear regret. #RiskTaking #PersonalGrowth #OvercomeFear

Stagnation is the true risk, not failure. Avoiding challenges to protect ourselves from failure keeps us from learning and growing. Take action, embrace setbacks, and watch how failure teaches you more than success ever could. #EmbraceFailure #Learning #Growth

Fear of failure can paralyze us, but fear of stagnation should be our real concern. The risk of not trying is the greatest threat to growth. Failure is just a lesson in disguise. #PushForward #EmbraceTheProcess #TakeAction

Learning isn’t just about finding answers, it’s about asking the right questions. This year, try setting a learning goal instead of a resolution. What will you learn in 2025?
Read the whole essay here: https://buff.ly/3BSJAWj

The best questions are never fully answered, but they shape our growth. Instead of setting a goal like “get healthy,” ask: “What does being healthy mean to me?” What question will you focus on this year?

Instead of focusing on what to change this year, what if we focused on the questions we want to answer? Curiosity over action leads to deeper insights. What question will you explore in 2025?

Or, we could focus on learning— what will I learn this year? When we get to December 2025, will we be able to say we’ve learned anything worthwhile? A language? How to be a better father? Instead of a resolution for change, it makes sense to focus on a resolution to learn…

We’ve all heard that the smartest people ask good questions, rather than having lots of answers. Maybe that’s what we should lead with in the new year: What question will I focus on answering this year? Instead of focusing on what we will change, what if we focused on exploring a good question?

New Year’s resolutions often fail without a plan. This year, try setting a specific, meaningful goal like “Do a pull-up” or “Save $10k.” Break it into realistic steps, write it down, and track your progress daily. Real change happens with action, not promises.