I believe that America here at the turn of the millennium is going to be remembered in history as a nation of gluttons. Whether it is with our calendars, our budgets, our relationships, or our palates, we can’t get enough. Just about every celebrity I can think of is known for being or doing the […]

As a follow-up for my recent columns on Coping with Difficult People, here is some assertiveness training for dealing with emotional bullies or master manipulators. The key is to see the invisible force they hit you with--stress. When somebody "stresses" you, according to the dictionary, they are subjecting you to pressure or strain. The verb […]

This column and the previous one are for people who are deeply frustrated with someone at home or at work. If most other people have the same problems getting along with this difficult person, your first step to making your peace is to understand your enemy. Last week I explained how during hard times growing up, […]

A TOOL KIT FOR SOLVING LIFE’S PROBLEMS   The Chinese written language is marvelously colorful.  Their words are illustrated by little sketches or diagrams.  The Chinese character for danger is a sketch of a scary scene, and their word for opportunity is naturally a more hopeful drawing.  When these two characters are put on top […]

TEN GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS IN YOUR BUDGET   There’s one contagious infection we’re all trying to catch this year—the Christmas Spirit. If you do catch it, be careful you don’t lose it in all the rush to find, buy, decorate, and deliver the kind of presents you wrap. Too many of those gifts can wrap […]

In this presidential election of 2024, I’m an undecided voter.  I know what I want to vote for, but I will decide the last day who.  Because so much may happen before November 5, I’m trying to stay in the day. I hear many saying they’ll vote out of fear and hatred toward this candidate […]

  Fight off Depression from Winter Cold, Long Nights, and Holiday Stress The winter crud that climbed into me last year sat into my sinuses and didn't leave for two months.  So this Friday I'm getting my flu shot.  And to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and  the holiday burn-out blues,  I'm going to give […]

The elements of the good life, of God’s life coming through us, are the fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23), and also such attitudes as courage, wisdom, hope, forgiveness, healthiness, and surely a sense of humor.  Focus on these and they will grow, as will […]

Do you have a true friend?  What is a true friend to you, anyway?  To me, a true friend is someone you can count on—to be there for you, to help you out of trouble, to believe in you, to keep your secrets, to have your back, to tell you the truth, to love your […]

Can People Recover from Trauma and Abuse?              It is with both pride and embarrassment that America has become known as a victims’ society.  We can be proud that we prosecute perpetrators of rape, domestic violence, and child abuse at least as severely as most developed nations.  But we should […]