I am blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world, teaching public speaking, presentation, media skills, and crisis communications to elected officials or those who would like to be. When I was speaking in the Middle East a while back, I was training some dynamic up-and-coming young women who were seeking a seat on their local council, and one day at lunch, I noticed that one of the ladies was reading a book of poetry by Rumi, a Persian poet, and philosopher. It struck me as unusual that someone would be carrying around a book of ancient poetry, and […]
Social Grace
If You Want To Be Trusted Be Honest
Seems like a no-brainer, to be honest, but you and I know that some of our friends will skirt the truth for various reasons, none being worth the damage that a lie will yield. It makes perfect sense as you go through life that if you want to be trusted, be honest. I had a friend who was notorious for telling (as she would explain) “little white lies,” as compared to green or blue lies, I guess. She wouldn’t even blink when telling a “little” mistruth, and over time, I started to wonder where the “little lie” stopped and the […]
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Seriously, I have no idea why people watch TV. Consider this a rant (and forgive me if you feel otherwise): in the space of two minutes of my clicking through TV channels in my hotel room, I saw horrifying and gruesome abuse (directed towards women), physical beatings of men and women, vulgar language and inappropriate insinuation of harm to kids. And we wonder what is wrong with our world! I have never been a big TV watcher. I taught myself years ago to put down the remote down and pick up a book. While I love any TV adventure that […]
The Emotion of Shame
I am continuing with my theme of emotions, which are causing you harm because I want you to understand that you are more than how you feel and that you can (with help) heal the damaged places in your heart and mind. So, let’s continue… I started the series with the emotion of anger because anger is a cancer to your soul. So, to have any chance for a successful and happy life, friend, you have to let it go. And then I spoke on jealousy, that green-eyed monster that will wreck your perfectly happy home and make you (a […]
Your Two Most Valuable Assets
In an article in the Wall Street Journal, hotelier Ben Weprin said, “The best business advice I’ve ever received came from Sam Zell, who told me the most important thing is Shem Tov, which means your name and your integrity. Make all your decisions upon protecting those. I am an avid reader, and I love the WSJ for the front page and the weekend edition listings of all the amazing homes for sale. In the Life section, they feature celebrities and a listing of about twenty questions. In one of the questions, the idea of business advice was posted, and […]
Push Against the Wind of Anger
This is part of my series on emotion. Recently, I was on a flight that felt like a roller coaster, with the wind jostling and jerking the plane to the right and the left. After a while, we did even out, and the flight was typical, but in those few moments, I began to think about how to overcome the turbulence we were experiencing. A few years ago, I took a few flying lessons to see if I was cut out to pilot my own plane to my speaking events, and in my private flight lessons, I learned pretty quickly […]
No Act of Kindness Is Ever Wasted
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted! Aesop Well, I am back to my favorite theme again—kindness. And I am pretty sure you’ll agree with me that the world at this very moment could use a little bit more kindness. Why? Because, friends, kindness matters—today, tomorrow, and the next day. We just had Mother’s Day, and I hope you took the time to show kindness toward Mom, whatever your relationship. Today, I want to talk about not only the value of kindness towards others but also for you, as well. I love the quote that no act of […]
The Most Dangerous Risk of All
The most dangerous risk of all–The risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later. Today, I want to simply remind you that time is running out for you, my friend, and no matter how much you wish, it would all slow down so you can get your bearings and hang on to the truth, time marches onward, whether you like it or not. The world is spinning, and if you’re like most people I talk with, you’re just hanging on for dear life…hoping not to […]
If You Want to Leave a Footprint
If You Want to Leave a Footprint, Don’t Drag Your Feet I came across today’s theme by accident when I was looking for some other information about leaving a legacy that I spoke about last week. If you want to leave a footprint, don’t drag your feet. —Arnot L. Sheppard This quote just stuck with me, so much so that I couldn’t shake it to work on something else. There is just something about the phrase that makes me stop and think…probably because I am very mindful that we will all leave a legacy of some sort, but in […]
