Look back, to better understand what to do — and not to do — now. Look ahead, to gauge where to go from here, and why. Think of the past and future, but relate everything to here and now. If … Continue reading
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Category: Daily Dose of Reason
Contradictions I Have Known
Premise: “Everybody is the same. No one individual is better than another.” Premise held by the same person, with the same intensity: “The little guy matters most. I like the little guy.” Premise: “What people do in their own homes, … Continue reading
The Road to Insanity–And Back
I love the saying: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, while still expecting different results.” It’s not error itself that defines insanity. It’s denial. It’s evasion. It’s a willful refusal to introspect and look at one’s … Continue reading
Respect, Agreement
I want to know people I can respect, and I want to know people with whom I agree. Ultimately, the first matters more to me than the second. If I agree with people but cannot respect them — then who cares? … Continue reading
The Futility of Nagging
Nagging comes from anxiety. It’s based on a false belief that repetition will create motivation. It never does. In fact, it lowers respect for the one who nags. Nagging reveals weakness. It’s a way of confessing, “I have failed to … Continue reading
Tax Collectors for the Welfare State
Colin Powell has blasted the Republican Party for failing to be more like Democrats. He says that Americans want more government, not less. “Americans do want to pay taxes for services,” he said. “Americans are looking for more government in … Continue reading
There Are No Mysteries
There is a good mental technique called ‘demystifying.’ The starting premise is: ‘There are no mysteries. There ARE unknowns, but the unknown can become knowable. The method is to break it down and figure out how.’ Demystifying lowers anxiety because … Continue reading
Shut Up and Think
In marital relationship problems, the most overlooked area of communication is listening. Most people assume listening is for the sake of the other partner. “Yeah, yeah, I should listen–for his [or her] sake.” That’s not it! Although your partner may … Continue reading
Probably Not the “Empathy” Obama Has in Mind
I agree with the President that we need a Supreme Court justice with “empathy.” I’d like this justice to have empathy for the individual over the brutality, insensitivity and bureaucracy of the state. I’d like this justice to have empathy … Continue reading
I Hate the Rich–Rich Socialists, That Is
It has been said that liberals and socialists with a lot of money who hate capitalism are simply self-loathing. This is undoubtedly true, in many cases. My message to such people — speaking on behalf of those of us who … Continue reading
Self-Responsible Means Self Interested
Before you say, “I don’t have the time,” make sure to answer the question, “Do I MAKE the time?” You can “make time” in different ways. The most overlooked way is to CUT something you currently do in favor of … Continue reading
What Makes a Friend Supportive
Being a supportive friend doesn’t mean always agreeing with your friend. It means supporting that his mind reached a certain conclusion — or decision — and you respect him for it. You support a friend by respecting his mind, his … Continue reading