When my wife and I got married, we literally sat down on our honeymoon and said, “What are our goals for the next five years?” There’s something to be said about the actual activity of taking pen to paper and forcing yourself to articulate what you want to accomplish. It forces you to think beyond […]
Communication
In Africa, we have this thing called the indaba. It’s a custom where members of a tribe or community will gather around a sitting area and discuss what needs to be discussed. We incorporated the indaba concept in my family. A time to air out our issues. Anything on your mind, talk about it, don’t […]
Happy marriage
One of the things you have to do as a husband is to want to know what your spouse is going through and how her days are going. I think my wife appreciates my asking questions and demonstrating interest in what is going on in her day. I have also learned that it is not […]
Happy marriage
Family is my foundation and is what drives me in life. I have been married 54 years. How have I fostered a happy marriage? I love my wife very much and I tell her I love her every day. I have always been faithful to her. And we always are available for each other. Remember […]
Taking Risks
Growing up, I was allowed to make mistakes and take risks. Although I’m sure it was hard for my mom to let me go and attempt my goals and dreams at such an early age, it was those experiences –the ups and definitely the downs — that shaped so many of my values and formed […]
Discovering your own path
There are many people who will tell you this is the way to live and there are a lot of paths out there. It takes a certain amount of courage to tailor make your own path. Sometimes it’s good to be a follower for a while before you can actually be more pro-active and create […]
Realizing our connectedness with others
It’s a great step in the right direction when you realize that it’s not about being special individually. It’s about realizing that everybody really is a wondrous creation. I read something recently; the whole idea that everything is connected and the outlines that separate us are artificial and really just for practical purposes. If you […]
Humility
Humility is a very important quality to me. To me, it opens up a world of experiences. I think if you’re true and authentic and you attract people on that level, and show them respect, others will open up and start sharing things. And that is where so many rich experiences in life are waiting […]
Confronting your fears
I think a lot stems from your ability to confront and deal with your fears. Fear is a natural human state. It’s an emotion but we need to realize it is a natural state that must be dealt with. Fears tend to rule our lives, to dictate what our actions are. And you can’t get […]
Getting in tune with the rhythm of each day
Having a sense of what each day has to offer. Rhythm is something I find more and more as I get older. Some days just don’t seem to shake out smoothly. Other days you walk out the door and feel a day that has a beat, or groove you can hook into. The key is […]
Arrogance and ego
Arrogance and ego are qualities that often get in the way of achieving goals. Nobody enjoys the cloying presence of people only concerned about themselves, people who are totally wrapped up in their own perspectives, and in the image they have of themselves-indifferent to the needs and feelings of others. I feel that an essential […]
Pursue your interests
I have never believed in the word “can’t.” I believe there is a way. I don’t think the word “can’t” should stop anyone from pursuing their interests whether work or hobby related. If you don’t have the right experience to reach your goal, look for another way in. If you want to fly, get down […]
Dealing with people
I have a copy of a letter written in the 1930’s from a young man to Einstein, complaining about what he regarded as very poor treatment of the noble man by the establishment of the day. Einstein’s brief response to the boy was “Be in good cheer my son, dogs have been barking at the […]
Work as a quality of life factor
Work is about allowing me the flexibility to do what I want to do. It’s about freedom. Work can facilitate your achieving incredible free rein or it can treat you like a caged animal. My view is you choose, that simple. I also think happiness comes from doing good, creative work. And I’ve always been […]
Doing what you have to do
I know for a fact that my parents taught me to be a thinker, to not simply just go with the flow, but to give thought about what I want and how to get it, what is happening around me and what does it mean. Sometimes I did it the wrong way, sometimes I did […]