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Month: January 2016

Dealing with strong mindsets or beliefs

Dealing with strong mindsets or beliefs

One of my greatest opportunities turned into a huge mistake as I lay in my first college dorm room bed. I interjected my beliefs into a conversation with three other freshmen, who like me, already had all the answers. Before the night was over the four different opinions had created a schism between guys who could have started off being great friends. It took a while for the tension to die down enough to the point of civility and collaboration….

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Dealing with subjective people

Dealing with subjective people

As of this writing I have had the privilege of being married to a woman who is very different from me for over a quarter of a century. In many ways you could say we are polar opposites when it comes to the way we approach life and make our decisions. I am very strategic and objective, while she values and relates deeply to the environment, circumstances, and people involved and how that connects with her beliefs. She is focused…

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Dealing with objective people

Dealing with objective people

As you grew up, you learned that your dad is a most often an objective person. I try to focus on tasks, leave the emotion out of that task, and do not quit until it is completed and crossed off the list. I know at times that has left you feeling a bit cold or like I really didn’t care. The reality is, like many dads, I see the benefit of a completed task as a way to provide for…

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First impressions

First impressions

You’ve heard: “The mind is a beautiful thing.” And, it is! It’s amazing how quickly it processes and feeds us information. However, at times that information can be biased and give us false impressions. Let’s consider the mind’s impact on your impression of other people. When we meet someone for the first time, there is usually a 15–30 second period which gives you a first impression. While only a small percentage of their life, that first impression represents 100% of…

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Tough love

Tough love

Christmas of 1954 was a day I will always remember. Next to the tree was a new shiny black Western Flyer. I no longer had to walk to school every day, but could ride! However, it took a while before my mom felt my cycling skills were developed well enough for this significant event. After pleading for what seemed like an eternity, I caught her on a good morning and she said OK. Only one caveat – she was going…

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God’s example of patience

God’s example of patience

I remember walking into the kitchen one day, seeing a little brunette head turn around quickly and start to tear up as the realization that she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar! When I asked in a rather stern voice: “What is that all over your face?” after seeing chocolate from ear to ear, the tears started to flow, and an answer came out that surprised me. “Cookie did it daddy, the cookie did it.” I…

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