Men willingly believe what they wish. Julius Caesar 100 – 44 B.C. I work with a number of people to help them achieve their goals. But before I can help them, I need to understand what’s holding them back. Most of the people I work with think that their problem … [ Continue Reading ]
Weekly Lessons
A wise investment
It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow. Aesop Fl. C. 550 B.C. Take a moment and think about your life. Are you getting all the things you want? If you’re like most people, the answer is no. There are probably some material things you’d like. Or … [ Continue Reading ]
Learning from two young musicians
If a seed of a lettuce will not grow, we do not blame the lettuce. Instead, the fault lies with us for not having nourished the seed properly. Buddhist proverb Recently, a friend from England shared an article about the musical achievements of his sons; he called it a shameless … [ Continue Reading ]
Getting or giving
Real life is being things on the inside, not getting things on the outside. Ralph Parlette 1870 – 1930 This little incident took place a few years back, at a gathering for some of our extended family. We’d finished lunch and the children had settled into play mode. The weather … [ Continue Reading ]
The frog and the scorpion
Trying to control or change what we can’t only results in torment. Epictetus 55 – 135 A.D. There’s an old parable about a frog and a scorpion that provides a valuable lesson. As the story goes, the scorpion wanted to get across a lake. Because scorpions can’t swim, it asked … [ Continue Reading ]
How do you measure success?
For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment. Viktor Frankl 1905 – 1997 How do … [ Continue Reading ]
Kicking the can down the road
Do me the favor to deny me at once. Benjamin Franklin The recent impasse in the U.S. government regarding the budget and the debt ceiling reminded me once again of the concept of kicking the can down the road. In case you aren’t familiar with that phrase, it means delaying … [ Continue Reading ]
Would you rather be obese or blind?
Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power. Benjamin Disraeli 1804 – 1881 I admit, I’ve never had a serious weight problem. While I carry a few extra pounds around the middle, I’ve never struggled with controlling my weight. But I realize that not everyone … [ Continue Reading ]
The magic of Susan Boyle
Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616 Prior to April 11, 2009, very few people had ever heard of Susan Boyle. On that Saturday evening, she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, and in a … [ Continue Reading ]
So what?
There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so. William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616 When I was a child, there was one expression I remember hearing quite often. I really didn’t like to hear it, which may be why it stands out for me. The expression was “So … [ Continue Reading ]