Things themselves don’t hurt or hinder us. It is our attitudes and reactions that give us trouble. Epictetus 55 – 135 A.D. Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like anyone or anything can get under your skin and put you in a foul mood? Recently, … [ Continue Reading ]
People see only what they are prepared to see. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 – 1852 Every now and then, the daily comic strips offer some wonderful insights about life. A few years ago, the strip “For Better or Worse” contained a very good lesson. “For Better or Worse” is about … [ Continue Reading ]
It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance. Epictetus 55 – 135 A.D. We all have things that go wrong, each and every day. Most of the time, we only experience minor snafus. But sometimes, major things go wrong in our lives. How do you … [ Continue Reading ]
In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt 1884 – 1962 Most of our days — and therefore most of our lives — are filled with routine, … [ Continue Reading ]
When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. Dale Carnegie 1888 – 1955 I don’t know about you, but I can remember hearing parents tell kids to clean their plates because “children are starving in India”. (Africa was often cited as … [ Continue Reading ]
But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods. Herodotus 484 BC -Â 409 BC I’ve noticed a worrying trend lately among different people and groups: the habit of viewing another person’s victory as a personal defeat. Don’t get me wrong; it’s perfectly … [ Continue Reading ]
Tone is often the most important part of a conversation — and listening is so much more important than what you say. Hoda Kotb 1964 – Do you want to be heard? That question may sound silly; most people would say the whole reason for speaking is to be heard. … [ Continue Reading ]
There is a tomorrow after a disaster, and it’s sometimes hard to remember that in the midst of it. Sheri Fink It’s difficult to watch news footage of the current conditions in Puerto Rico without experiencing some emotion. I feel great empathy for the residents there and wonder how some … [ Continue Reading ]
You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. James Allen 1864 – 1912 Have you ever dreamed of winning the lottery? Most people have. And I suspect most people have heard that within five years of hitting the jackpot, the … [ Continue Reading ]
No tree has branches so foolish as to fight against themselves. Ojibwa Indian saying How would you interpret the above quotation? At face value, it’s certainly true: trees don’t have branches that fight each other. So I suspect the Ojibwa Indians must have had humans in mind. But this idea … [ Continue Reading ]