The trick I think, is the courage to hold the hard and soft simultaneously. I’m more interested in justice than I am in mercy. I think compassion is really important but compassion without discipline is anemic. And so do you have the courage to be tough, focused, goal-oriented, driven, but simultaneously caring, compassionate, and open […]
Be interested instead of trying to be interesting
My mentor John Gardner told me years ago three things. First, he told me to spend less time trying to be interesting and more time being interested in people and the world. Think about that. He also told me do not worry about what other people think of you because the truth is most people […]
Maintaining perspective
Do not allow yourself to think you are so important. Charles de Gaulle said, “The cemetery is filled with people that thought they were indispensable.” Maybe I have a role that I can play particularly well. It doesn’t mean other people couldn’t do what I am doing. I deeply believe that the ability to stay […]
Don’t take yourself too seriously
When you are younger, you can feel like you have to show others that you are special. You’re going to eventually feel a lesser need to prove yourself to others — so just get to the point now and experience the benefits sooner.
Thoughts matter
I believe in the whole business about how your thoughts attract like thoughts. If you’re in a negative mindset, you’re going to experience that which will confirm that negative mindset. I remember decades ago I used to have run-ins with authority figures like bus drivers, it was fairly consistent. A friend of mine said, “You […]
On gratitude
For me quality of life comes down to whether I am feeling peaceful, unanxious and grateful for the gift of life. Gratitude is the key to happiness I think. The ability to think, to be creative, to have senses that function, to be able to walk, to have freedom of movement. Those are tremendous blessings […]
Prayer
I never miss a day of prayer in my life. I pray to show my gratitude. When I have a bad day, I say thank you for the bad day. I ask for blessings for all people of all religions. It’s important to have a grateful, thankful heart.
Reflection time
My life is usually fact and hectic. I need to have my own space to pause and do nothing. Having this kind of alone time lets me recharge physically and mentally. It also allows me to think differently.
Daily prayer
My daily prayer is about thanking God for my life today. “For my family and friends, for my new home, for my many blessings, for his healing power pouring forth upon me. I claim it now and pray for miracles, please bless this day for me and everybody in our family and circle of friends, […]
Deprogramming one’s self
Sometimes the characteristics that served me in the business world” a hard charging, driving force ” tend not to be the best characteristics for husband and father. So I have made strides in deprogramming myself from the characteristics that are not great to use around the house.
Confronting your weaknesses
Emotional containment was a measure of strength in the Detroit in which I grew up. It wasn’t until I left home and started paying my “˜dues’ that I understood ones real strength is measured in how you confront your weaknesses.
Importance of being secure
I think that many of the most destructive human tendencies probably are spawned by insecurity. Anger directed at others, the need to show that you are smart, imposing excessive amounts of one’s personal control or sense of order on everything.all of these largely result from personal insecurity. So, I think it is vital to work […]
Anticipating outcomes
I have gotten better over time at reading situations and anticipating outcomes. This helps me be more effective. I’m still improving; let me give you an example. Recently I gave permission to this construction company to have access to one of our lots to help them access an adjacent lot. Since then, trucks have been […]
Avoiding negative people
I have a very strong positive mental attitude. I am always looking for and finding things that are positive in a situation. I have found that being weighted down by people that are negative is a waste of time. I don’t have friends who are negative people. I don’t need it. I seek out people […]