Weekly Lessons

Categories Lessons in Life

A fairer judge

No one should be judge in his own case. Publilius Syrus 1st century B.C. When we see the words ‘judge’ and ‘case’ in the same sentence, our thoughts naturally turn to the legal system. In that context, it seems obvious that you shouldn’t be the judge for your own case. … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Lessons in Life

A lesson from the D-Day invasion

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. George Washington Carver 1864 – 1943 Most of us know that the D-Day invasion was a pivotal turning point in World War II. It occurred on June 6, 1944 and involved nearly 4,000 ships, 11,000 … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Motivating yourself

Wants and needs

When a thing is funny, search it for a hidden truth. George Bernard Shaw 1856 – 1950 For decades, I’ve enjoyed reading the Sunday comics in the newspaper. They usually spark some humor, and occasionally they contain profound wisdom. I’d like to share a story from The Family Circus that … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Finding happiness

It’s not a contest

Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another. Marquis de Condorcet 1743 – 1794 One of the major threats to happiness today is our cultural mindset of competing and comparing. Most of us have fully adopted this way of thinking; we believe that life’s resources are scarce … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Personal growth

Praise or criticism

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 9:8 At a networking function a few years ago, the developer of a product related an incident where he was offered feedback. The person giving the feedback asked the developer if he … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Lessons in Life

The two minute warning

Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. Theophrastus d. 278 B.C. American pro football is an exciting game to watch, as its many devoted fans can attest. Playable time is limited to sixty minutes, divided into two halves. As time starts winding down in each half, the … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Lessons in Life

The danger of ‘should’

Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 – 1852 A few years ago, I went to my primary care physician for an annual check-up. My … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Finding happiness

Setting expectations

Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectation. Leo Buscaglia 1924 – 1998 Recently, I went to my doctor for a routine physical. Part of the exam involved giving a blood sample for testing. As the nurse prepared to stick me with the needle, she said, “This … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Lessons in Life

Do you talk too much?

Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is. Publilius Syrus 1st Century B.C. I’m sure you’ve known people who are very uncomfortable with silence: they constantly talk even when they have nothing worth saying. At the other end of the spectrum are people who … [ Continue Reading ]

Categories Lessons in Life

What are your top three goals?

Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 – 1882 Have you ever written down your top three goals in life? Take a minute to think about them. You don’t need to write them out in detail; just jot … [ Continue Reading ]