Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Do this with everyday things no less than big, dramatic and exceptional ones. By saying what you mean, you show respect for your mind. By meaning what you say, you show … Continue reading →

As respect for a friend, spouse or business associate erodes, you’re increasingly left with only regard. Regard can keep it going for a time, but it’s no substitute for respect. Just as respect occurs for reasons, diminished respect occurs for … Continue reading →

An explanation tells you the cause of something. An excuse tells you why a person had no other choice except to act as he or she did. For example: “I treated you badly because I was drunk.” Being drunk explains … Continue reading →

The worst kind of people are the ones who claim “there is no right or wrong”, in theory — while in practice, treat their word as right and expect you to do the same. It goes beyond hypocrisy. It’s intimidation … Continue reading →

Being on time isn’t for the sake of the other person. It’s a reflection of your own self-respect, and of your own mental and physical organization. You’ll find that people who are habitually late, and who don’t care about it, … Continue reading →

In theory, Christmas is supposed to be about selflessness. In practice, Christmas is about giving and receiving presents. Those who condemn Christmas for being “selfishly materialistic” are ignoring that Christmas is about the giving AND receiving of presents. Christmas, as … Continue reading →

“She did me this favor, expecting nothing in return.” Most of us consider this a GOOD thing. I don’t. If someone does something nice for me — free of charge, and not asking for an exchange — then I assume … Continue reading →

Greed doesn’t happen in a rational, self-responsible context. Greed happens in an emotional context of entitlement. “I should have this … I am entitled to this … I WILL have this!” Witness the feeding frenzy in Washington DC to bail … Continue reading →

There’s no such thing as an obligation you didn’t choose. You could say that you didn’t choose to be born–and that it’s therefore your obligation to thrive and survive. But even this is a choice. You can commit suicide; even … Continue reading →

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. –Victor Frankl (The Daily Dose of Reason Returns on Tuesday)

There is no friendship (or love) without respect. Friendship or love imply respect. You can’t like someone if you don’t admire them, as a person (in the case of love); and if you don’t admire at least one key trait … Continue reading →

Doing what you say you’re going to do always matters. There are times when people generally mean what they say; and there are times when they generally don’t. (We live in the latter). But either way, it matters. People can … Continue reading →