Katie Bar the Door
You do not need to be a television show-worthy hoarder to have far more than you use. A cursory review of our closets, kitchen drawers, and garages provides ample evidence for all but the most fastidious. I am not approaching this subject from a moral or value standpoint, criticizing extravagant spending. No, my approach is […]
It’s Not Your Fault, but It Is Your Responsibility
Each of us can point to circumstances not of our own doing to justify a lack of accomplishment (economically poor family, “bad” parents, fat genes, surname ends in a vowel, etc.). All of them may be an impairment, but do not consign us to defeat. By taking responsibility for our response, we may prevail against […]
When the Phone Rings…
You need to answer it. And sometimes it rings when we are unprepared or wish they called someone else. We need to respond even when the timing is terrible, we do not want to, or we do not feel suited for the task. It Rings We would immediately jump to the aid of a heart […]
Fear
Better Left Undone? We fancy ourselves facing the world like a swashbuckler standing on the ship’s bow with our saber upraised. In reality, the fear of failure too often confines us in our safe harbor and stops us from pursuing what we want. Missteps confirm our present inability, create feelings of shame and disappointment, and […]
Failure
It is a dirty word, and we seek to avoid it. JFK famously said, “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.” However, failure is often better than the alternative, inevitable, hastily decided, and the fertilizer of success. The Alternative? An evil man died and found himself in a splendid casino with an […]
Draw the Line
Hold Your Horses We all have a nemesis: a sister who insists you watch her newborn every Saturday night, a boss who calls you on the weekend, or a friend who is always an hour late for dinner. We reach a breaking point and threaten the end of the relationship if they ever do “that” […]
Made for More
Why Do You Aspire? Our moms were right; we possess and must use our unique talent. A fulfilling life requires accomplishment – the ambition to do something meaningful supported by the activity leading to its fruition. It goes beyond the biblically-inspired obligation declared in graduation speeches, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” […]
Joy
Components Just as peace is not calmness, joy is not happiness; even the miserable are happy upon the birth of their first child. Joy is a persistent state attained by accepting every moment without assigning expectations and imposing judgment. Admittedly, it is a tall task, but consciously practicing gratitude and maintaining positivity reduces our impulse […]
Peace Be In You
Defined People think they have peace when they dwell in an infrequent tranquil period when things are “right” and they are relaxed. It is not found in a vacation from the office with toes in warm sand listening to the crashing waves. While you may be calm and happy, you are not necessarily peaceful. Peace […]
Your Mantra
The Case for It In each of the blog’s first two years, I provided you with a four-part expose on my guiding life principles and values, which, judging from reader feedback, met with a resounding thud. Therefore, this message is more about “why” and “how” than “what.” We start by examining the need to establish […]