As I noted in yesterday's post, now that I have hit my goal of surpassing Cal Ripken's consecutive streak, I plan to start sharing some of my older posts. Since there's no time like the present, I thought I would start doing so today, by sharing my very first post. I was motivated to begin … Continue reading Thank You, Again…
Are you a perfectionist when it comes to trying to craft the perfect thank you note? If so, Dan Ariely has some solid advice for you in the email exchange below. Dear Dan, I know I should probably write thank-you notes for the holiday gifts I received, but I’m bad at composing them. I end … Continue reading Thank You Notes: Just Do It
From today's Dan Ariely column in the Wall Street Journal: Dear Dan, This past year I’ve worked alongside a wonderful group of colleagues. I am so thankful to have worked on this team. I’ve just been promoted and will now manage the same group. I worry that this will change my relationship with its members. … Continue reading Power Corrupts. Or At Least Causes You to Say ‘Thanks’ Less Often
I heard myself saying that to my wife the other night, and I realized it wasn't the first time I've uttered those words. It was after 9:00 at night, I was tired, and I had no idea what I was going to write about. Unfortunately, that's a fairly common scenario (and now you know why … Continue reading “I’ve Got to Write My Stupid Blog”
As my wife and I went for an after-dinner walk through our neighborhood tonight, we were surrounded by the sound of fireworks coming from every direction. It was a wonderful sound, the sound of people celebrating their freedom and independence. But then it struck me that those same sounds may strike terror in the hearts … Continue reading Thankfully, It’s Just the Sound of Fireworks
It's been quite a year, for all of us. It's hard to think of anyone who has not been affected in some way by the global pandemic of COVID-19. From the elderly, to the health care workers, to the unemployed, to the families with young school age children, this past year has disrupted our lives. … Continue reading Congrats to This Year’s College Freshmen
I just finished reading a heartbreaking post from Sue Vincent, titled The Last Post?. Sue was diagnosed with incurable small cell lung cancer last September, and spent much of last week in the hospital. As Sue writes: "It has been an interesting and informative journey on so many levels as familiar things have been stripped … Continue reading The WordPress Community Is As Real As Any Community I’ve Been a Part Of
I just want to express my gratitude for all the well wishes I received regarding my two broken wrists. While I am not in much pain, it is quite inconvenient. I never realized how much I take my hands for granted. My wife and son have been incredibly helpful. A couple of people wondered if … Continue reading Thank You!
Going on a 15-minute 'awe walk' each week, where we stop to appreciate the world around us, can help boost positive emotions and reduce stress, a new study shows. These 'awe walks', where we soak up nature, architecture, and more, can boost healthy 'pro-social' emotions such as compassion and gratitude. Professor Virginia Sturm at the … Continue reading Reducing Stress in Just 15 Minutes per Week
Many people are likely aware of the suggestion to sing "Happy Birthday", twice, while washing your hands to ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly. Here's Prime Minister Boris Johnson showing us (sort of) how it's done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWfZGdLeDl4 But Dan Pink has an even better idea than singing the well-known tune while washing our hands. … Continue reading Forget about Singing Happy Birthday, Do This When Washing Your Hands Instead
Borden's Blather 