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
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” — Stephen King
Bullying is the act of a moral coward who lacks both self-esteem and a sense of reality. (Remember O.J. Simpson? Classic example.) A bully believes and feels as if his will overrides not only the rights of others, but also … Continue reading
If profit is so bad, then doesn’t this mean that the service or product being provided–for a profit–is bad? And if all these products and services are so bad–then why are they voluntarily paid for? Joe sells something to Tom … Continue reading
The essence of choice lies in thinking. No major choice, including a career choice, can be divorced from thought. You sit down and you make a pro’s and con’s list of your various alternatives and after exhausting all the factual … Continue reading
Don’t reward the wrong behavior–and don’t reward the wrong attitudes, either. To “reward” means to respond to something wrong or unhealthy by saying or doing something positive for the person who’s wrong. Don’t do it. Try to pay attention to … Continue reading