The situation of the world is still like this. People completely identify with one side, one ideology Reconciliation is to understand both sides, to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then to go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side. Doing only that will be a great help for peace. Thich Nhat Hanh Methinks this Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk is writing about more than world peace here. Theres plenty of war right now between people in their... Read More

I have no contempt for that time of life when our friendships are most passionate and our passions incorrigible and none of our sentiments yet compromised by greed or cowardice or disappointment. The volatility and intensity of adolescence are qualities we should aspire to preserve. Edmund White Attending son Levis college graduation last week was an incredible celebration of his persistence and commitment. It also included a transition in our relationship hes clearly his own man now and any desire I might have to... Read More

It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be. Isaac Asimov From audiences for my public speaking to executive coaching clients to folks I spoke with at Levis university graduation last weekend . Im sensing a lot of fear of an uncertain future. Its understandable. The pace of change quickens daily. Ive... Read More

Your ability to move others into appropriate, timely, and effective action is largely determined by the consequences of your speaking and listening. Suzanne Mayo Frindt I had the pleasure of attending a recent meeting of the National Speakers Association Colorado Chapter. Its quite an honor to be selected to speak before that group and my friend and seminar graduate Alan Parisse was the keynoter. Alan, no armchair expert, is one of the highest rated professional public speakers in America, an inductee of the... Read More

"Man is by nature a goal striving being. And because he is built that way he is not happy unless he is functioning as he was made to function ... as a goal striver" Maxwell Maltz Dr. Maltzs book Psycho-Cybernetics was published in 1960 and essentially pioneered the entire self-help, human potential book industry. The book was recommended as one of the 50 Self-Help Classics and it was one of the two books that I feel most affected my early journey toward being a leader and teaching leadership the other being Napoleon... Read More

That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong. William J. H. Boetcker My personal experience with friends, family, colleagues and clients is that our very human need to be liked generates multiple problems for both the liker and the like. (I made up both of those words but I think you can get my meaning!) The human potential movement pioneer and psychologist Dr.... Read More

Attitude, to me, is more important than the facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people may think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home I am convinced that life is ten percent of what happens to me and ninety percent of how I react to it. And so it is with you. Charles Swindell (as quoted in Living an Extraordinary Life ) Thanks to... Read More

Seeing your best self takes vision. Becoming your best self takes guts. Pilar Gerasimo My fellow Cheesehead (for non-USA readers: cheesehead refers to people of the dairy state, Wisconsin) Pilar is a dedicated crusader for health and fitness. She may be referring to physical health here; however, I believe the sentiment applies broadly and especially for aspiring leaders. An oft quoted line from my book Living an Extraordinary Life is that life is simple. This does not mean it is easy. Theres been a sea change in... Read More

If you don't get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don't want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can't hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is a law, and no amount of pretending will alter that reality. Dan Millman This is one of those great quotes where your humble correspondent has nothing to add. Well maybe this one thing: Slow down, take... Read More

If you don't get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don't want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can't hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is a law, and no amount of pretending will alter that reality. Dan Millman This is one of those great quotes where your humble correspondent has nothing to add. Well maybe this one thing: Slow down, take... Read More