Thinking About Problems – December 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Thinking About Problems Thinking about thinking is a serious undertaking. One can wander the paths of convergent thinking, divergent thinking or even Edward De Bono’s notions of lateral thinking. If you wander off the path, however and begin to wrestle...

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What’s Coming Out of Your Horn? – November 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:What’s Coming Out of Your Horn? Within the last week, I had two contrasting experiences that have stayed with me. Perhaps, like you, I have frequently repeated the affirmation to myself, “Don’t let other people determine what kind of day you’re going to...

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So What Is Discipline? – October 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:So What Is Discipline?  Recently, I was talking to a friend whose son had just dropped out of college. As he described the circumstances, he remarked, “It all comes down to discipline, personal discipline, and as for me, I am convinced that he has...

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People Leak and People Stray – September 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:People Leak and People Stray  If this is the first time you have come across the behavioral principle that people leak and people stray, be assured it is not about bladder control, absorbent undergarments or backyard fences. I first discussed this...

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Valuing the Past – August 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Valuing the Past  It's very easy to be caught up in the present. There's lots to do--errands to run, work projects or assignments to be completed, emails to respond to and numerous household chores to be wrapped up.  In response to this pressure, my...

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Defining One’s Best Possible Life – July 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Defining One’s Best Possible Life So often we hear people talking about living “the good life.” In fact, Plato may have started it all in his dialogues addressing wisdom, knowledge and virtue.  The typical person interviewed by a reporter on the street...

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Welcome to our OOL – June 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Welcome to Our OOL It’s interesting the way our minds work and the things that catch our attention. The reasons are many, among them different sights, sounds or smells, and each of us is unique in how we react to or experience them. Sirens, for example,...

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Unexpected Moments of Joy – May 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Unexpected Moments of Joy Recently my wife and I were in New Orleans to attend the national conference for the Developmental Disability Nurses’ Association. While I am not a nurse, I was a speaker, and the engagement had offered us the opportunity to...

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Encouraging Others – April 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:Encouraging Others Today, the importance of lifting up another person, renewing their spirits and acting with kindness seems more important than ever. Depression is on the rise, and loneliness is reaching the level of a pandemic. Anxiety seems to be at...

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What’s Our Focus – March 1, 2023

LEARN A LITTLE:What’s Our Focus? I was talking with a friend recently who is a high-level executive working in the healthcare field. We were getting caught up on things, and I asked her what she was working on. I would not characterize her as a pessimist, but...

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