The discipline of mind that leads to happiness
To know what things are of value is good, to have the things of value is better and to value the things of value that [...]
We don’t get to choose whether we die
We don't get to choose whether we die, but we do get to choose whether we live before we die. Death is unavoidable for everyone. [...]
Jealousy becomes the recipe for unhappiness
The jealous are expert at two things, counting others blessings and discounting their own blessings. Jealousy is such a peculiar vice that when we are [...]
Becoming attached to our plans makes us unproductive
Making plans makes us productive. Becoming attached to our plans makes us unproductive or even counterproductive. Whenever we have to do something worthwhile in our [...]
Being aware that we are making assumptions
Making assumptions is not a problem, not being aware that we are making assumptions is a problem. Whenever we make assumptions about people thinking that, [...]
How to maintain humility while also having ability
Humility is the ability to remember that our ability is not actually our ability. When people have some extraordinary ability, it is very easy for [...]
The most productive work
The most productive hard work is heart work. People who are successful often extol the glories of hard work. And yes, hard work is needed [...]
When we feel discouraged
When we feel discouraged, we need people who will lift us up, not push us down. Life is often discouraging and to face such discouragements, [...]
Overcoming prohibitive cost
Know when to focus on the cost of something and when on the cause for something. Whenever we do some things, we often evaluate what [...]
Why we fail in improving ourselves
Why we often fail in our attempts at self-improvement is because we are tricked by our mind into aiming for instant improvement – and then [...]
Surprise gifts: Delighted or disoriented?
Surprise gifts: Delighted or disoriented? When a surprise is truly surprising, appreciate the fact that it is surprising, not the fact that it is disorienting. [...]
Does urgency steal our manners?
Just because we do not have a minute to lose does not mean that we have to lose our manners; we can be both polite [...]
Why some people can’t manage change
Just because things don't work the way they worked in the past does not mean that the world has come to an end; it just [...]
The danger of absolute relativism
If the meaning of words can be redefined arbitrarily so that anything can mean anything, then nothing will mean anything. We live in a world [...]
Be managers not damagers
Just because we can't manage doesn't mean we have to damage. Sometimes things go out of our control and especially if we are supposed to [...]
Verbal restraint and verbal candour
If we sweep too many things under the rug, then what we end up with is not a rug but a lumpy path that only [...]
Playing it safe with silence
Speaking what everyone is thinking but no one is speaking doesn't always make us fearless. It can make us headless and mannerless. When something inappropriate [...]
Bringing out the best part of ourselves
Self-control is not necessarily suppression of the self, it is selection of what is worthy within the self. When some people are told to discipline [...]
Protecting our spirit to help
Just because we can't help everyone doesn't mean that we should help no one. Helpfulness is always a virtue; It is just helpfulness without thoughtfulness [...]
Can we help everyone?
Wanting to help others is a sign of our empathy, and acknowledging that there are some people that just cannot be helped is a sign [...]
A warning about giving others a warning
Some people see warnings as a sign to stop what they are doing and others see the same warnings as signs that they should keep [...]