Alien Discovery Roger Applegate had always been a skeptic. He thought that aliens were a myth pushed by conspiracy theorists, and that anything extra terrestrial was impossible. Until one day when he was walking home from work. As he took his usual shortcut, he noticed someone watching him. He peered up the alley, and discovered that it was an alien. The alien was an imposing figure, standing tall with a slight green hue to its skin; it had an alien nature to its features that Roger simply couldn't deny. Roger had to take a second look when he noticed that the alien was speaking in English. The alien addressed him and asked how he was doing. Roger was stunned. He couldn't believe what was happening. He couldn't find his words, giving the alien time to start a conversation. The alien introduced itself as Jeff, and told Roger that he had been sent from planet Babidi to colonize earth. Jeff told him that he was one of many aliens on earth that looked and talked like humans, and that their mission had been going on for years without much attention. Roger was in shock. He could hardly believe what Jeff was telling him, yet he felt strangely drawn to Jeff's story. He felt a connection. Jeff told Roger that he could help the aliens in their plan, and that they wanted Roger to help spread awareness of their presence. Roger was amazed by Jeff's story and startled by his request. He reluctantly agreed to help the aliens, feeling a strange duty to help them in their quest but still skeptical. From that day onwards, Roger was cautious but on a mission to spread awareness and help the aliens in their plan. He had discovered them, and he was determined to help them overcome the obstacles that were in their way, if what he was told was a true report of their mission. Unveiling News of Roger's encounter with the alien named Jeff spread like wildfire. People were both intrigued and skeptical, unsure of whether to believe the claims of extraterrestrial beings living among them. The media caught wind of the story, and soon, Roger found himself in the spotlight. Reporters hounded him day and night, eager for an exclusive interview. Roger, however, remained committed in his mission to help the aliens. He agreed to a few select interviews, carefully choosing those he believed would present his story in a fair and unbiased manner. One of the journalists he trusted was Sarah Thompson, an investigative reporter known for her integrity and dedication to uncovering the truth. Sarah had a reputation for digging deep into stories, and Roger believed she would be the perfect person to help him verify the aliens' mission and expose their presence. They met in a small café on a quiet street, away from the prying eyes of the media. Sarah listened intently as Roger recounted his encounter with Jeff and the aliens' assurance of their peaceful intentions. She asked probing questions, trying to understand the extent of their infiltration into human society and gradually exposing their real intentions. "Roger, do you have any proof of their existence?" Sarah asked, her pen poised over her notepad. Roger hesitated for a moment, realizing that he had nothing concrete to offer as evidence. "I don't have any physical proof, Sarah. But you have helped me see that they are here and have infiltrated high-ranking positions in politics and the economy. They are slowly gaining control, and if we don't act, I am afraid that they will succeed in their mission." Sarah furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "How can we expose them without any evidence? We need something substantial to convince the public of the danger, of the extreme risk." Roger nodded, better understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know it's a challenge, but we have to find a way. I believe there are others out there who have encountered the aliens, just like me. We need to gather their stories, their experiences, and present a united front."

Thanks for joining me. I am reluctantly considering the conclusion that much of what I have believed for as long as I have believed anything may represent far more hope than truth. Sure, I admit to taking it for granted that things actually are the way I have always thought they are, that my reality is valid and based on the true and factual, and that my sense of what's real is correct and axiomatic. Naive? Simple-minded? Perhaps dangerous? Indeed. But nonetheless, I believed. I take some comfort in knowing that a preference for belief over thoughtful consideration didn't just start with me. The Roman philosopher Seneca observed that "Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment." It's likely that the "exercise" part of exercising judgment is the showstopper for many, if not most of us. For me at least, it has been easier to relax and believe. Let me share a story that struggles with knowing truth from opinion, fact from belief. It gets at something important, I think. 1: A Discussion of Ideas George had been retired for many years and was, by all accounts, set in his ways and beliefs. His daughters had asked him to discuss his views and outlook with them, hoping to gain a better understanding of him as a person and the experiences that had formed him. Youngsters, they argued, may not know what life was like when their father was in his prime, and they argued it was worthwhile for him to impart his wisdom. The conversation began with George sharing his thoughts on a range of topics, from money management and world politics, to hard work and the purpose of life. He had very strong opinions and was keen for his daughters to take them on board and learn from them. However, the girls didn't always agree and often challenged him, proposing their own ideas which didn't always match up with his. The discussion continued, with the subject matter becoming increasingly complex. However, one thing was becoming increasingly clear: George and his daughters were getting tangled up in trying to identify which elements of their respective beliefs and outlooks were true verses those which were not. They both seemed unable to distinguish fact from opinion and thus the conversation began to deadlock. It was at this point someone made an interesting suggestion: why not agree to a way of telling true ideas from false ones? By finding a way to distinguish between belief and fact, hope was the conversation could begin to progress. Immediately, a spark of curiosity was kindled, as it dawned on all of them that this could be a fantastic experiment. George and his daughters agreed to sit down at a later date to devise a way of identifying which ideas and notions were true and those which were not. If I may interrupt, Robert Brault got it right when he pointed out that "An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value its comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it." To my surprise and disappointment, I am starting to notice cracks if not actual holes in some of my most trusted beliefs. The cause and solution may be as simple as E D Martin suggests, "It is easier to believe than to doubt." Laziness? Indifference? Bertrand Russell says it's our inherent credulity. "Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones." Perhaps I should add gullibility to lazy and naive. The picture is not looking good. The pragmatist in me is calling out for attention. He or perhaps she is arguing that belief is not the issue. The issue is whether my unique collection of notions and ideas about how things are and how they work are serving me, furthering my interests. Admittedly, this is a rather pedestrian perspective; but if it works for me, I see little need to reason otherwise. If I may lean on Robert Brault again, "Sometimes you believe a thing that isn't true because in the world you wish to live in, it would be true.

Thanks for joining me. I’ll bet you were expecting Gary but he asked me to share a story I was sharing with him yesterday. I hope that works for you since I think this story has a message we can all take to heart. Let me just tell you the story. 1: Who Treats Who Best? Hannah was thirty-years-old and yet it felt as if she was a million miles away from her dreams and desires. She had a college degree but was stuck in a dead-end job that didn't challenge or stimulate her. She wanted more, and yet she couldn't seem to make it happen. The one relationship that did make her feel alive and hopeful was her relationship with Jeff – the man she considered to be her soulmate. They met in college, and had been together for the five years since. Hannah believed that she treated Jeff better than he treated her. She made sure to always show her love and appreciation for him, always putting his needs before her own. She was certain that Jeff knew how much she cared for him and treasured her. Jeff on the other hand, thought that he treated Hannah better than she treated him. He felt he had done everything he could to prove his love to her, but he felt like she took him for granted and did not value him the way he deserved to be valued. They each felt they had done their best in the relationship and yet it had to come to this – an argument that neither wanted to have and both wanted to avoid. Hannah believed she deserved more and Jeff felt that he was owed more. Neither of them was willing to concede and give the other what they wanted. Finally after days of arguing (intermittently, of course), they decided to take the disagreement to a trusted and impartial third-party – one who could tell them who truly treated who the best. They wanted to confirm whether the respect and appreciation that each had for the other was actually mutual, and it was up to this third-party to provide a definitive answer. 2: Seeking Clarity Hannah and Jeff sat nervously in the cozy living room of their friend, Sarah. The room was adorned with warm colors and soft lighting, creating an atmosphere of comfort and ease. Sarah, a close friend to both of them, had agreed to mediate their dispute and provide an unbiased perspective on who treated who better. As they waited for Sarah to join them, the tension in the room was palpable. Hannah fidgeted with her hands, her mind racing with doubts and insecurities. She couldn't help but wonder if she had been blind to Jeff's efforts all along. Maybe she hadn't been as attentive as she thought. Her heart ached at the thought of losing him. Jeff, on the other hand, sat with a stoic expression, his mind filled with frustration and confusion. He loved Hannah deeply, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his efforts were going unnoticed. He desperately wanted Sarah to validate his feelings and prove that he had been right all along. Finally, Sarah entered the room, her warm smile putting them at ease. She sat down across from them, her eyes filled with empathy. "Alright, let's get to the bottom of this," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "I want both of you to tell me what you believe you bring to the relationship and what you feel is lacking from the other person." Hannah took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I believe I bring love, support, and understanding to our relationship," she began. "I always prioritize Jeff's needs and try to make him feel cherished. But sometimes, I feel like he doesn't appreciate my efforts. I want him to show me more affection and acknowledge the little things I do for him." Jeff nodded, his eyes locked with Sarah's. "I do love Hannah, and I try my best to show it," he admitted. "But sometimes, it feels like she takes me for granted. I want her to recognize my efforts and reciprocate the love and affection I give her. I need her to make me feel valued and appreciated." Sarah listened intently, her gaze shifting between the two.

Thanks for joining me. I thought today that I would share a short story about Zeke and his way of relating to his children and then take a closer look. I think we discover that some things don’t just apply to our children. Let’s hear the story and then dig in a little. Finding Balance: Zeke had been a father for years, and he felt he had done some things right, but he was starting to struggle now that his children had grown into teenagers. His friend listened intently as Zeke shared stories of his many parenting experiences. Zeke told of the times his children had pushed the boundaries and how it had mostly resulted in negative outcomes. Of course, he also shared stories of how he had attempted to address their behavior in the moment. He recalled times he had allowed natural consequences to play out, and also times when he had taken a more punitive approach. As he continued to talk, Zeke realized that most of the discipline he had used in the past had been ineffective. His friend agreed that a different approach was needed, but he wasn't sure what would be best. After considering the situation carefully, Zeke decided that a balance of rewards and consequences might be the best option. He figured that rewards would motivate the kids to cooperate with his rules, and that consequences would teach them to take responsibility for their behavior. He also hoped that by taking the time to explain the reasons behind his rules, his children would eventually come to understand why following them was important. With new strategies in mind, Zeke headed home to give the plan a try. That night, all of his children were on their best behavior and seemed much more willing to cooperate. Zeke was pleased with the outcome and knew that his new approach had been a success. From then on, Zeke swore by positive reinforcement and consequences when it came to disciplining his children and raising them to be responsible, respectful young adults. Stop to Consider It sure sounds like Zeke is Giving serious thought to his approach to being a parent. It also sounds like he has made some changes that are over-due. But let’s take a closer look. His old approach had been allowing natural consequences to play out or taking a more punitive approach. That sounds like wait and see or punish to me. His new approach, rewards and consequences, does add a new element. His former “punitive approach” and the new “consequences” sound like the same approach to me, but “rewards” is new. Along with punishing his children when they take a miss-step, he now rewards them when they behave as he expects -- an over-due improvement for sure. Of course his new approach is also known as the “carrot and stick” approach. Zeke has upped his game, but not by much. Influencing the behavior of people in general and children in particular is a lot more complex and our options go far beyond carrots and sticks. Why should children pay attention to anything we say or tell them? Stop a second to think about what your first reaction was to the question. For most people, "Because I am the parent" or "Because I am the adult" or some variation on the theme comes to mind. Both of these answers are reasonable and appropriate. What I want to point out here is that there are several reasons why your children should listen to what you say. It will be helpful for you to think about and understand which reason is operating when you want your children to listen, to pay attention, to accept what you are saying to them or telling them. Your being clear about why you think they should pay attention will help them be clear about why they should pay attention this time. There is an additional payoff for you. When you are at work or in other situations where you want people to pay attention to you, being clear in your own mind about why they should pay attention will make it more likely that they will accept you and what you are saying.

Chapter I: The Change at Work   Gus was a forty-year-old manager in a large enterprise. He had worked at the company for twelve years and had just been promoted to manager. With the new title, however, came new responsibilities and expectations. The company had recently gone through some changes, and Gus was charged with helping the employees adjust and succeed in their new roles. At first, Gus wasn't sure how to approach this. He was a task- oriented manager, and he was used to sticking to the strategies he had employed in the past. But he could see that the same methods weren't working here. He observed the team around him and noticed that they seemed to be operating in a very different style than before. The team was more empowered, and everyone was more willing to take initiative and try out new ideas. It seemed like the company had begun to trust the employees more and give them more control. That's when Gus had a revelation. Perhaps if he gave the staff more control and autonomy, while still holding them accountable for outcomes, he could achieve the best results. He was so sure of his idea that he decided to try it. He started by giving his team more ownership over their respective tasks and projects. He introduced regular meetings where everyone had a chance to report their progress and voice their ideas. He also held them accountable for their work and supported them when they faced obstacles. As the weeks went by, Gus noticed that something was beginning to change. His employees were more motivated and more productive. They were beginning to take initiative and come up with new ideas for how to move the company forward. Gus was pleased with the results of his experiment and knew that he had found a winning strategy. Chapter II: The Ripple Effect Gus was thrilled with the positive changes he had witnessed in his team since implementing his new management strategy. The increased motivation and productivity had not only benefited the employees but had also begun to have a ripple effect throughout the entire company. Word of Gus's success spread quickly, and other managers within the enterprise took notice. They were intrigued by the transformation they saw in Gus's team and wanted to learn more about his approach. The company's leadership recognized the potential impact of this new management style and decided to organize a workshop led by Gus to share his insights with other managers. The workshop, titled "Empowerment and Accountability: A New Paradigm for Success," was met with great enthusiasm. Managers from various departments gathered to hear Gus speak about his experiences and the positive outcomes he had achieved. Gus shared his journey, explaining how he had initially struggled to adapt to the changing dynamics within the company but had ultimately discovered the power of giving control to his team while holding them accountable. As Gus spoke, the room buzzed with excitement. The managers were captivated by his storytelling and eager to implement his strategies within their own teams. They recognized that the traditional top-down management approach was no longer effective in the evolving business landscape, and they were eager to embrace a new way of leading. Gus emphasized the importance of building trust and fostering open communication. He encouraged the managers to create an environment where employees felt safe to voice their opinions, share their ideas, and take ownership of their work. He stressed the significance of providing support and guidance while still holding individuals responsible for their outcomes. The workshop sparked a wave of change within the enterprise. Managers returned to their departments inspired and ready to implement Gus's strategies. They began by holding team meetings, just as Gus had done, where employees were encouraged to share their progress, challenges, and ideas. They empowered their teams by delegating more responsibilit...

Thanks for joining me.   I usually conclude episode posts with "For now, be well, do well and do something nice for someone. He or she will appreciate it and you both will have a better day."   Although this is usually true, now and then it isn't. Let's think about that today. What happens if both of you are not having a better day?   There are a lot of ways to make the point but a story will work as well as any of the others.   One:   Julio had been living in a small suburban neighborhood for the past five years. Not too long after college, he decided to settle down and start a family with Teresa, the woman he’d been in love with for more than a decade. She is a teacher and he as an accountant for a local small business. Things were going as expected until Julio got a call from his childhood friend Max who asked to stay with them for a little while.   Max told Julio that he had been looking for work and trying to make enough money to get by. He seemed desperate to get himself straightened out. Being the kind-hearted person that he was, Julio couldn’t say no, and so he and Teresa let Max move in for a couple of weeks while looking for work.   At first, Max was the perfect guest. He kept his living space tidy, cooked meals for the two of them, and would even help out with some of the odd jobs around the house. However, after a few weeks and then a few months, it became clear that Max wasn’t serious about finding work and had no plan to leave anytime soon. It wasn’t just because he hadn’t found the right job either; he seemed to be in a tailspin of despair, unable or unwilling to make any sort of progress in getting his life back on track.   Desperate for an answer, Julio approached Max about his situation. He asked his friend what was causing him so much distress, and Max said it was an inability to find hope and opportunity. He wanted to find something that would make his life worthwhile, but he just couldn’t seem to find it. After hearing Max’s story, Julio resolved to help him find a job and get his life together. Pause to Consider: I'll bet you have the picture. It is a lot easier to see from the outside looking in. It will take a while longer for Julio. Two:   Julio woke up early the next morning, determined to help Max find a job. He knew that finding employment was crucial for Max to regain his sense of purpose and stability. As he sipped his coffee, Julio brainstormed different avenues they could explore.   He remembered hearing about a local construction company that was hiring. Julio thought it might be a good fit for Max, given his experience with odd jobs around the house. Excited about the prospect, he quickly finished his coffee and woke Max up.   "Max, I've got an idea," Julio said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "There's a construction company in town that's looking for workers. I think you should give it a shot."   Max groggily rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Really? You think I could do that?"   Julio nodded. "Absolutely. You've helped me with various projects around the house, and you've always been good with your hands. Plus, it's a steady job with a decent paycheck. I'll drive you there today, and we can see if they're hiring."   Max's face brightened, and a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes. "Thank you, Julio. I appreciate your support."   They quickly got ready and hopped into Julio's car. As they drove to the construction company, Julio couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for his friend. He knew that this opportunity could be the turning point Max needed.   Upon arriving, they walked into the bustling office. Julio approached the receptionist and inquired about job openings. She directed them to the hiring manager, Mr. Thompson, who was known for his no-nonsense approach.   Mr. Thompson, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, listened attentively as Julio explained Max's situation.

Thanks for joining me.   In this episode, my associates and I are focusing on friendship. We hope the thoughts and ideas we share serve you well as you consider your friendships and whether they satisfy you along with satisfying your friends.   Let's start by considering the role of self-awareness in making and keeping friends.   Let me kick things off by asking,   "Why is it important for friends to be self-aware?"   Self-awareness is a key component of emotional intelligence, and emotional intelligence is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships. When friends are self-aware, they are better able to understand their own feelings and behaviors, which can help them communicate more effectively with each other and can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Self-awareness also enables friends to be more empathetic and understanding towards each other, which is vital for developing strong and long-lasting friendships. Overall, friends who are self-aware are better equipped to navigate the complexities of human relationships and are more likely to be supportive and caring towards one another.   What happens when friends are not self-aware?   When friends are not self-aware, it can lead to a number of issues in their relationship. For example, they may have difficulty understanding their own emotions and behaviors, making it harder for them to communicate effectively with each other. They may also struggle to see things from each other's perspective, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. In some cases, friends who are not self-aware may be insensitive to each other's needs and feelings, straining their relationship and even leading to the breakdown of the friendship.   Additionally, they may struggle with personal growth and development. Without a clear understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, they may have difficulty setting and achieving goals, impacting their overall happiness and success in life.   While it's possible for friends who are not self-aware to have a good relationship, the lack of self-awareness can make it more challenging and lead to a range of issues that may negatively impact the friendship. So how can friends become more self-aware?   Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way. It can help friends become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.   Engage in self-reflection: Friends can set aside time to reflect on their emotions and behaviors. This can involve journaling, meditating, or simply taking a walk and thinking about how they're feeling.   Seek feedback from others: Friends can ask each other for honest feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. This can help them develop a more accurate understanding of themselves.   Read self-help books: There are many books and resources available that can help friends develop self-awareness. For example, the book "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves can help friends learn how to improve their emotional intelligence.   Consider seeking professional help: If friends are struggling with their relationship, they may benefit from seeing a therapist or counselor who can help them develop more accurate self-awareness.   Developing self-awareness and strengthening friendships are continuous processes that require conscious effort and practice. Friends who make an effort to become more self-aware can strengthen their relationship and become more supportive and respectful toward each other.   Ok, I get that self-awareness is important, especially when I'm spending time with my good friend. But are there things I can specifically focus on or steps I can take to keep things on a more even keel?   before you invest a lot of time and energy in ramping up your personal friendship quotient, you may want to consider whether the other person re...

Thanks for joining me.   I’m having a bad day. I know that you are likely not interested but a bad day it is. It’s time for my podcast and I don’t think I’m up to it. Can you relate?   What’s your notion of a bad day?   I’m not thinking here about big events that foretell major or lasting consequences. Rather I am thinking about those little annoyances and inconveniences that disrupt our otherwise comfortable and more or less predictable days.   You know the kinds of things I am talking about: not being able to find your car keys, dropping your iPhone and cracking the screen, dripping coffee on your clean shirt, getting a phone call that you have to take just as you are leaving the house when you’re already running ten minutes late, remembering as you head out for lunch that you were supposed to be at the dentist two hours ago, realizing that you still haven’t started that report your boss needs this afternoon and you had planned to finish yesterday.   It just so happens that I am having one of those bad days. My first discovery is that a bad day for me is always personal. By that I mean that like beauty, bad days are in the eyes of the beholder. I think the key is that a bad day gets us off our game. What gets me off my game might not bother you one way or the other. Conversely, what gets you off your game may be something I would just take in stride. As I said, bad days are always personal.   The next thing I have realized is that no one cares about my bad day.   Sure, I can tell someone about it and he or she might even have a little sympathy but not much. It’s not his or her bad day and after a small dose of sympathy, I will quickly figure out that I’ll just have to suck it up and move on.   My particular bad day started this morning. It was time to work on my podcast and I realized that I didn’t have anything to say. Normally not having anything to say is no reason for a bad day unless you are supposed to be podcasting, unless your significant other says, “We need to talk,” unless you are ten-years-old and your teacher asks you why you didn’t do your homework, or perhaps unless your boss wants to know why the report you intended to write yesterday isn’t on her desk this afternoon. Back to my podcast and not having anything to say.   I admit it. I am hoping for an inspiration. I know that’s a little like hoping that the coffee stain on my shirt will suddenly disappear or or that the crack in my iPhone screen will magically repair itself. Maybe Teacher will just smile and tell you that you are really smart so for you, homework is optional or perhaps your boss will just chuckle and say, “No problem. When I asked for the report, I was only making a suggestion.”   As for that inspiration I am hoping for, Frank Tibolt said, “We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.” This kind of sounds like that getting the cart before the horse thing.   I guess my personal bad day is likely to stay inspiration free so action is my only viable course. The situation calls for action, for doing something instead of just staring at the microphone, waiting for that inspiration. Alfred Adler said, “Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words.” If the point is not sinking in as I sit and stare, I need to remember what Arnold Glasow had to say about this inspiration thing. “An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.”   I may be experiencing a small flicker of motivation, especially given how small a single brain cell probably is. The key now is to see if I can convert that bit of motivation into a modicum of action. I do have a tendency to think that only the great and glorious are worth doing so must latch onto Peter Marshall’s perspective. He said, “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”

Thanks for joining me.   In this episode, I will be sharing some thoughts and ideas about being a successful parent. At the heart of it, Parenting, like other interpersonal responsibilities, starts with self-awareness. Yes, it is important to focus on our children but it is equally important to focus on us. How we relate, behave and interact with our children is the essence of parenting and how successful we are as parents.   I have asked a few of my associates to join me to share their perspectives on being parents and the role of self-awareness.   So, let's get started by asking,   Why is self-awareness important for parents?   Self-awareness is important for parents because it helps them understand their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which in turn helps them better understand and respond to their children's needs. When parents are self-aware, they are able to regulate their own emotions and behavior, creating a more positive and supportive environment for their children. Additionally, self-awareness allows parents to recognize and acknowledge their own weaknesses and limitations, which can help them seek out resources and support when needed. By being self-aware, parents model healthy coping skills and emotional regulation for their children, in turn promoting their children's own emotional intelligence and resilience.   But what happens if parents are not self-aware?   If parents are not self-aware, it can have negative consequences for both themselves and their children.   For example, if a parent is not aware of their own emotional triggers or patterns of behavior, they may react in ways that are harmful or damaging to their child, such as yelling, hitting, or saying hurtful things. This can not only harm the child's emotional well-being, but also damage the parent-child relationship over time.   Additionally, parents who lack self-awareness may struggle with understanding and meeting their child's needs, leading to feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction for both the parent and the child. They may also struggle with setting appropriate boundaries or providing consistent discipline, which can lead to confusion and insecurity for their children.   Finally, if parents are not self-aware, they may not seek out support or resources when they need them, leading to feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. This can impact their ability to be present and engaged with their children, which can negatively impact their overall well-being and development.   Ok, I understand that self-awareness matters. But how does this play out within the family? Your child is special, a unique individual, the only one of him (or her) there will ever be. If you do not embrace this simple truth with reverence and enthusiasm, your child will know and will never completely get over it.   He or she began life's journey with boundless potential but also with limitations. With your help, your child can be extraordinarily successful. Still, there are mountains he can never climb, rivers he can never cross, races he can never run. He comes to you on an "as is" basis. He can only be who he is, can only become the best him there ever was or ever will be.   Hello world, it's your child!   Your journey into your child's future is exciting and challenging, rewarding and disappointing, filled with pleasure and pain for you and for him. At the same time, it is the most important adventure you will ever experience. Your successful excursion into your child's tomorrow begins with your assurance he grows up in a loving home.   Leo Tolstoy said, "All happy families resemble one another; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."   Buddha said, "A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another, the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it's like a storm t...

Thanks for joining me. My podcasting friends and I could not get together in-person so they just uploaded their clips for me to include in this episode. The downside is that I do not have text versions of their clips to share. Please enjoy the audio podcast; and I hope you don't miss the text too much.