Developing Our Strengths while Managing Our Weaknesses
Many are painfully aware of weaknesses that hold them back. Yet, surprisingly, they are unaware of their many strengths. Focusing on our weaknesses while ignoring our strengths can be a source of discouragement and failure. And glorifying our strengths while ignoring our weaknesses can be equally unproductive. It is only when we…

From the Ridicluous to the Sublime If you were asked to give an example of something ridiculous, what would you say? What do you consider foolish, irrational, absurd, stupid or senseless? What could be more ridiculous than to neglect oneself, ignore what is in one's best interest, and squander one's vast potential? Does it make any sense to curb your…

Fear of Dying in Pain
Pauline is a 55-year-old, two-time cancer survivor who is terribly afraid of possible future suffering and a premature death. She also feels guilty about her fear because she believes that as a Christian she shouldn't be afraid, and she should be able to completely trust in God. Pauline is wondering if I have any…

Pink slip blues
As more and more corporations restructure, downsize, and streamline their operations, employees are getting pink slips and experiencing the blues. Actors know what it is like to be out of work, and they can tell you job loss is no laughing matter. Here's how Joe Pesci describes his feelings while searching for roles, "I couldn't get any jobs, and when that happens, you get so humble it's disgusting. I didn't feel like a man anymore - I felt really creepy. I was bumping into walls and saying, 'Excuse me.'"

The pain of job loss depends…

An absence of faith is like a bird without wings
"It can't be done. It's physically impossible. One would fall unconscious before it could be done." These were some of the comments of renowned athletes, coaches, psychologists, and physicians, who were discussing the possibility of running a mile under four minutes. They believed it was impossible. And as long as they held that belief, it was. Then along came Roger Bannister, a British medical student who lived by faith instead of belief. What's the difference? Belief is what others tell you; faith is what your inner voice tells you.

Do we see the truth in diversity or only the differences?
As soon as we leave our little neighborhood and enter the world at large, we are bound to meet people that have different religious, political, and cultural beliefs. During those encounters, do we see the common threads that unite humanity, or do we just see the differences? If we seek the truth, wish to grow, want to gain knowledge and understanding, wish to know peace and experience happiness, we will be open-minded. We will be tolerant. Tolerant, not in the sense of putting up with the differences of…

The courageous don't live forever, but the timid don't live at allWhen you read about someone rescuing a passenger from a burning car, what are your thoughts? Many people believe that they could never do the same because they would be too frightened to act. The implication is that courageous people are fearless. However, that is not the case. The brave act despite their fear, not because of its absence. That's why we call them heroes. If they weren't afraid, anyone could do it.

Courage is meant to be experienced by everyone. It is our birthright. We need it…