When I was headmaster of a private school, back in the earlier days of my career, I used to engage in the fruitless task of semi-annual performance appraisals. (I have long since abandoned this management task). I would list four levels of development and competence which I had made into a chart. The lowest level … Read more
Some of us remember Mad Magazine (actually it is still in publication after 60 years) and its resident mascot Alfred E. Newman. He is most famous for his “What, me worry?” line, but he had another epithet that is less well-known but revealing nonetheless. He said: “Most people don’t know what they want, but they’re … Read more
“Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound … Read more
The credit for personal happiness lies solely with the individual. I know too many people who either expect someone else to make them happy, demand that someone else make them happy, and blame everyone else because they are not happy. I like this quote from none other than Benjamin Franklin: “The Constitution only gives people … Read more
A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, “My car broke down. Do you think could stay the night?” The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he … Read more