There is a saying, alternately attributed to Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Shakyamuni and the Theosophists, that goes: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Regardless of who came up with it, I think it’s a key concept to keep in mind when talking about individual change. When you consider that change is learning and […]
When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Appears Read More »
For centuries in moments of sharp civic discontent, anyone and everyone can take to the streets and demand change. The First Amendment protects “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” From the Stamp Act boycotts of the 1760’s to the 1913 suffrage parade and
‘Make a Difference’ or ‘Make a Scene’ Read More »
Early in my sales career I was told that a main part of my job was to turn a customer’s want into his need. Someone may want to purchase your product or service, but until they feel the need they likely will not. When I was discussing this adage with my Dad, a career salesman,
Turn Want into Need Read More »
Gratitude is not a feeling or an act. Gratitude needs to be a virtue and an attitude. Philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, “Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues.” It is a thankfulness for what we “have” as opposed to looking at what we “don’t have?” God gave us what
The above line is taken from the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. What a powerful statement this is. Every action, positive or negative, is a vote. Reminds me of the American Indian parable, Two Wolves: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My
Every Action You Take is a Vote for the Type of Person You Wish to Become Read More »
Forty years ago, my Dad shared a poem, The Station, with me. I have been an advocate of focusing on the journey and its passengers ever since. There is symbolism in the vehicle for the journey, a symbolism especially found in songs. Two major images for this vehicle are trains and boats. Trains have been
A well-used tenet in coaching football is the adage “low man wins.” It applies to line play as well as defeating blocks and tackling. It is all about pad level, getting into a low position enables a player to have more leverage on their opponent. Being lower to the ground provides a stronger base, more
Each day the news is filled with someone being offended and the consequences of that offense. In this politically correct landscape one cannot employ or be associated with an offender. Trouble is that each of us at some point have likely done something, innocently enough, that could have caused offense. If we live, we all
The Bait of Satan is Being Offended Read More »
Be exceptional. Be unique. Be something that does not conform to a pattern or the norm. The norm is not exceptional, but rather the norm is to fall back into the crowd and to blend in. Some even think they are doing a good thing by blending in and not calling attention to themselves. We
We know when it is Veteran’s Day as there are furniture and car sales using this day as a promotional excuse. We will also see more flags being displayed in the community. Likewise, it will be a time when people pay a little more attention to the role Veterans play in our country’s history. There
The Need, The Ask, The Give Read More »
