What do you do if something extraordinary happens to you–out of the blue? I ask because such an event landed in my checking account on March 10th. I don’t need to describe the boring details, but it involved Social Security. (SS) My reaction was similar to the loss cycle: bargaining, denial, anger, depression, and then acceptance. Initially, I thought, “What? This … [Read more...]
Failure – a prerequisite to success
Failure - a prerequisite to success Thomas J. Watson, Sr., the chairman and CEO of IBM from 1914 until 1956, is attributed with saying, “If you want to succeed, double your failure rate.” When Thomas Edison was asked about how he failed 700 times in making the light bulb, he said,. "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 … [Read more...]
Be the person you want a kid to be!
Be the person you want a kid to be! Adults can learn from rules on children’s poster I recently visited my grandson’s school and the poster of rules caught my eye: • Always be respectful • Don’t talk when someone else is talking • Raise your hand – don’t shout out • Keep your hands to yourself • Don’t hurt others • Have fun • Learn • Treat others how you want to be … [Read more...]
Use it up, wear it out…or do without!
Use it up, wear it out...or do without! I did not live through the great depression, but during that period of history, 1929-1939, frugality was considered a virtue, and the phrase, “Use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without!” was the guiding principal in most households. Those were the years when nothing was wasted. Women sewed clothes for the family, and then made … [Read more...]
Mental health – a good sense of self
Mental health - a good sense of self We teach people how to treat us. When friends, family, or strangers treat us rudely, invisibly or judgmentally it is because we let them. Internally, we do not believe we deserve to be treated with esteem and respect. Good mental health begins with a good sense of self. We need a healthy self-esteem, boundaries that are self-protective, … [Read more...]
Happiness originates in thoughts
Happiness originates in thoughts Mitch Albom in “Have a Little Faith” states that happiness is being satisfied and grateful; the priest said happiness is living the Beatitudes; Wikipedia defines happiness as a state of mind characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy; Socrates thought a man must be honest and honorable to be happy; Benjamin Franklin said, … [Read more...]
Speaking from the heart is essential
Speaking from the heart is essential Will Rogers once said, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” That doesn’t work if you are trying to have a good relationship. If you want to be close to your spouse, or your children, or your friends, you must speak the truth of what is going on inside you. Lack of effective communication skills is the basic problem facing every couple, … [Read more...]