Every now and then we get reminded of just how good the people in our world can be. And “our world” isn’t just our circle of nearby friends, or folks from our neighborhood, friends of friends, etc. It quite literally is people from around the world. Bear with me as I elaborate and follow along…
This morning my attention was grabbed by a post on social media wherein the person posting claimed that his view of a particular event was more accurate than other views being shared and when asked why he felt his was more accurate, his response was, “Because my level of education is higher than yours, therefore…
Just this morning (as I type this) I enjoyed a quick back-and-forth conversation on social media and then via email with a man I consider of reasonable wisdom and maturity. He is a hard worker, husband, father and motivated employee of the same company I work for. He has a quick wit and a good…
One of the most important parts of communication is understanding or at least attempting to see and understand the point of view of the person you are interacting with. The ability to do this makes the difference between taking everything literally or taking things as they are potentially meant. The same statement can have a…
Sure, we’d all like to be rich. If you’re familiar with the Avengers in Marvel Comics, then you know who Tony Stark is. It’s no surprise that, when asked which Avenger they’d like to be, most people answered, “Iron Man.” When asked to explain why people most often cited the fact that Iron Man’s alter…
The apartment complex was vast and sprawling. It was actually two different complexes that bordered each other and, due to the landscaping that shared a playground, they were often thought to be one complex. Together they were comprised of roughly fifty apartment buildings, each with sixteen apartments for a total of 800 apartments. Each apartment…
In every kind of relationship: personal, work, friends, whatever – in EVERY kind of relationship there are requirements of both parties involved if the relationship is going to be successful. No relationship can be forever carried by one half; both have to participate. The three things that are required are communication, motivation and initiative. Let’s…
A long time ago, a very wise man said this to me: “If someone asks you for a dollar, and it’s within your power to give it, it’s your duty as a human being to give it. However, if someone demands of you twenty-five cents and you don’t wish to give it, then it’s your…
Have you ever asked someone a question and had them answer, “I don’t know,”? Of course you have, and sometimes that the correct answer. If you ask them a question regarding a piece of knowledge or information that they don’t possess, then the correct answer for them to give you is, “I don’t know.” However,…
In the military and law enforcement fields of endeavor – where I have spent almost my entire adult life – time is a precious commodity. Sometimes there is absolutely nothing going on and it’s easy to get bored. Time moves SO slow then. Then there are those moments of utter chaos with potential for great…
I was at lunch just the other day with four men who I consider friends. In fact, two of them I consider brothers. One of those brothers I have trusted with my life and I’d trust the other three with my life without hesitation. The one that I HAVE trusted with my life I’d happily…
It’s almost a stereotypical response. When asked, “What’s most important in a relationship?” one of the most common answers you’ll ever hear is, “Communication.” Of course, that’s just one word and not the whole answer. “Open, honest, interactive communication,” is more complete. For those who think about it and comprehend it, the implications of the…
I will freely confess: One of my biggest pet peeves is when I go out of my way to help someone or do something in an effort to brighten someone’s day… and they sound aggravated that I had the audacity to interrupt whatever it was they were doing or whatever was going on at that…