Life coach Cheryl Richardson describes six types of toxic qualities in people. The Blamer: This person likes to hear his own voice. He constantly complains about what isn’t working in his life, and yet gets energy from complaining and dumping his frustrations on you. The Drainer: This is the needy person who calls to ask for your guidance, support, information, advice or …
OBSERVATION: Beware of emotional vampires.
Protect yourself from “emotional vampires,” people who suck you or the room dry of cheer or optimism. Look out for workmates, family members, even friends who consistently bring you down or drain your energy with endless complaining or relentless criticism. Seek out the people who bring out the best in you and be sure that you are not someone else’s …
QUOTE: “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” — Buddha
Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved. — Marcus Antonius
OBSERVATION: Forgiveness – Should you continue to forgive a person who continually does things that require forgiveness?
Whether to forgive and whether to stay in any sort of relationship are two very different questions. There are two types of forgiveness: One is to free the person who needs forgiveness from guilt, to let them off the hook, to give them a second chance. The other is to free yourself from the bonds of resentment so you can …
COMMENTARY: Making Lives
A few years ago I came across a video by a very dynamic speaker, a former middle school teacher named Taylor Mali. He is now what’s called a performance poet — someone who delivers poetry as singers deliver songs. The poem that caught my attention was “What Do I Make?” an articulate and aggressive response to a critic who was putting down teachers. …
WORTH WATCHING: Teachers in Action
Great videos about Great Teachers. What Makes Great Teachers? ABC Special The character John Keating (played by Robin Williams) in Dead Poet’s Society The real Jaime Escalante (the teacher portrayed in the movie Stand and Deliver) on teaching:
OBSERVATION: Whatever we are today has been influenced by scores of good teachers who taught us how to do things, filled our minds with information and ideas, shaped our attitudes and our deepest beliefs, inspired our ambitions and helped us form our self-image.
Image: Mr. Feeny of Boy Meets World Most of our teachers were not educators; they were our parents, grandparents, friends, coaches and others. Still, a great school teacher can have a great impact. Many films and TV shows have centered on great teachers. Please look at the following list and tell us in the comments which is your favorite (and add …
OBSERVATION: Giving Advice
Observations about advice: 1) Proverb: “To be successful is to follow the advice you give to others.” Why are we so much smarter, more sensible, and stronger when we are dealing with problems of others? 2) Samuel Coleridge: “Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.” Giving …
OBSERVATION: There is no such thing as business ethics; there’s just ethics.
There are no exemptions from basic rules of honesty, respect, caring, and fairness just because money or careers are involved. Our private lives, our relationships, and the way we make a living are governed by the same moral principles. Don’t get caught up in rationalizations and pressures. In every setting we have the opportunity and obligation to be a good …
COMMENTARY: Good Ethics Really Is Good Business 749.4
A challenge I frequently face while consulting with senior executives and boards of directors of public companies is a belief that their primary mandate is to make profits and enhance shareholder value. Thus, ethical principles like honesty, fairness, and caring are proper guides to decision making only to the extent that they can demonstrably improve profitability or incorporated into …
OBSERVATION: Moral courage can be more difficult than physical courage
Protecting others or doing one’s duty despite danger of injury is physical courage. Called bravery and valor, in battle or in public safety professions this form of courage is worthy of admiration. It’s often harder, however, to do what should be done in the face of disapproval, ridicule or risk to social status or career. This is moral courage, an …
WORTH WATCHING: Kindness (click to see slide show)
http://youtu.be/uvG1iVw8IjQ
COMMENTARY: Courtesy is Kindness in Action 749.3
As a society, we have become almost obsessed with identifying and asserting our rights – to think, say, and do what we want. That’s not surprising, given the history of our country and the prominent role the Constitution and Bill of Rights have played in shaping our culture. We have a right to be unkind, thoughtless, and disrespectful – but …
WORTH READING: Friends
from Positive Outlooks
WORTH WATCHING: I’ve selected a few videos that convey on a deeper level than words the range of feelings – pride, patriotism, fear, boredom, pain and grief – associated with military service.
I hope you will take a few minutes to view them as your tribute to the men and women we owe so much. Watching them all will take less than 20 minutes.
COMMENTARY: Ask What Can You Do for Your Country
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy, invoked my generation to “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” We are fortunate to live in a free and democratic society where millions of civilians and soldiers serve their fellow citizens. Last Friday was Veteran’s Day and the weekend provided the nation …
WORTH READING & WATCHING: A Perspective of Service from a P.O.W.
It’s hard for some folks to take off their political glasses with lenses that like or dislike, see or not see, according to political predispositions. I think it’s important to remove these glasses when thinking about the nature of the experience that men and women who serve in the armed forces may be subjected to. This story, oft told by …
ANNOUNCEMENT: Who Gets to Go to Lunch? Please vote.
When my radio commentaries were canceled by KNX, a radio station in Los Angeles, listeners were invited to write short essays on what the commentaries have meant to them. The authors of the top five essays will be invited to a special lunch. I was amazed to receive 76 essays — all personally moving. I loved them all and couldn’t …
WORTH READING: Here’s to the Heroes
Here’s to the heroes Those few who dare, Heading for glory,’ Living a prayer. Here’s to the heroes Who change our lives. Thanks to the heroes, Freedom survives. Here’s to the heroes Who never rest. They are the chosen, We are the blessed. Here’s to the heroes Who aim so high. Here’s to the heroes Who do or die. Here’s …
Land of the Free
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
OBSERVATION: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” — Helen Keller.
Pessimism and optimism are not just ways we predict the future; these attitudes profoundly affect the future. Pessimism makes our disposition dark and gloomy. Optimism is a source of light and energy for everyone in range of its power. Both are contagious. It’s true that some people are more naturally optimistic, cheerful, and hopeful than others but even people with …
COMMENTARY: What Your Checkbook and Calendar Say About Your Values 749.1
If I wanted to check your credit worthiness, I’d look at your balance sheet – what you have and what you owe – and I’d want to know about your history of paying your debts. If I wanted to know your values, I’d look at your calendar and checkbook. How come? Well, the term “values” refers