I don’t know how many times in my life I have heard the phrase, “Hum, that’s unusual.” What is unusual to one person may be usual to another. We all must wear clothes, and so the clothing worn by those around us is the first thing we notice about each other, if they are unusual….
On Mountains
In November of 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball told this moving story about the great Israeli warrior, Caleb: “Shortly after Moses led Israel out of bondage from Egypt, he sent twelve men to search out the promised land and to bring back word about living conditions there. Caleb and Joshua were among the group. After…
On Defense Mechanisms
While a student at a university, many years ago, I remember learning the psychological concept of ‘defense mechanisms.’ They represent the various, mostly sub-conscience, behaviors we use daily to defend and to protect our self esteem (ego). Healthy people normally use various defenses throughout life. Defense mechanisms are most often learned behaviors, mostly learned during…
On Facades (Roles)
The first time I ever heard the word facade was when I was seventeen years old and working as a Hod carrier for a brick contracting company. We were contracted to put a brick facade on an old, three story bank building in my home town; new face on an old building. A facade is defined as…
On Happiness and Gratitude
A Christian, at least one who practices their religion, will be a hard working, thoughtful and kind individual, one who has a happy countenance because they know that the lives they lead are pleasing to the Lord. Gratitude is a primary characteristic of being a Christian. The main part of a Christian’s prayer is gratitude….
On Taking the Back Seat
Whether they be male or female, some people appear to be born leaders and ‘take control’ people. If there is a task to be done, they don’t hesitate; they just move ahead and do it while others are still trying to figure out what the assignment was. Take control people often are a source of…
On Wisdom
The Hebrew term for wisdom is ‘hokhima,’ but the word is used in Hebrew literature to mean many things, according to Lewis Browne: everything from ‘divine insight’ to ‘low cunning.’ Lewis Browne is the author of one of my very favorite readings, “The Wisdom of Israel.” In modern day, the Wikipedia defines wisdom as a…
On Criticism
Criticism is a two-edged sword that cuts two ways. When administered with sharpness, it can cut to the quick. When administered with kindness and love unfeigned, it can be a teaching moment like very few others. Criticizing someone isn’t always just to find fault with them or what they have done, even though that word…
On Daydreams
There are times when I become sleepy during the day and start to doze off. When I do, I sometimes daydream in a half sleep, half awake mode lasting a matter of seconds or, at most, minutes. Some of them take me into a problem solving mode, while others take me to a seemingly unreal…
On Mistakes
Has there ever been a person who lived on earth who has never made a mistake or an error in judgment that caused them a little, or even a lot of pain or discomfort? I believe the answer to that question is, No! Many of the early Hollywood productions were silent movies. The moviegoer could…