On October 24, 2017, Albert Einstein’s theory of happiness sold for $1.3 million at a Jerusalem auction. While traveling in Tokyo during 1922, the Nobel-winning scientist scribbled a note to the bellboy when he did not have cash for a tip. He wrote, “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of…
President Ronald Reagan said, “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20% traitor.” What’s true in politics is also true in relationships, and especially in marriage. Focus on the 80%. Time, 1/29/18, p.24 In the midst of a disagreement, it is hard to remember all…
Parkinson’s Law reminds us that, “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” This means that we need to be very intentional about the use of our time or we will consume all available time accomplishing very little. Why People Fail, Siimon Reynolds, 2012 One year, when I taught art at…
In February of 2014, a man in China had a nasty breakup with his girlfriend before Valentine’s Day. The jealous man bought all of the odd numbered seats in a local theater for February 14th so that couples couldn’t sit together during the movie. Those last five letters of jealousy are there for a reason. Reader’s Digest,…
The figure of speech, “sowing the seeds of discontent” has been around for centuries. It refers to the practice of starting a process of convincing people that a future event or problem is likely to happen, and the process itself causes the event or problem to happen. While that can be a negative thing, the…
For more than five years, I proctored exams at Harvard University. During the first couple of years, the protocol was to accompany students whenever they left the room, even to the restroom. We were to check the bathroom stalls before the student entered to make sure that no one had left notes that could help…
Is it okay to have doubts about God? In fact, it is not unusual for people to have doubts, especially when we are feeling vulnerable and insecure. When we don’t feel worthy of God’s love, and when things aren’t going well, it is easy to wonder if God has abandoned us, or if He was…
In May of 2018, Johanna Giselhall visited her local tattoo artist in Kyrkhult, Sweden and had him intertwine the names of her two children onto her arm. After the session was over, Johanna realized that “Kevin” had been misspelled “Kelvin” with the permanent ink. She said, “My heart stopped and I thought I was going…
Never criticize your spouses’ inability to make good choices. Remember, that you are one of them––Author unknown Choosing between two or more alternatives can be difficult for some people. It may be that they have been hurt by making poor choices in the past and do not want to make the same mistakes again. On…
If you saw someone back into someone else’s unoccupied car in a parking lot, and cause a big dent or a broken headlight, and then just drive away, would you take the time and effort to leave a note on the windshield giving the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver? Or would you just…