Grace, Delivered by a Child November 25, 2006
Posted by TimTheFoolMan in anger, Communication, Discipline, Family, Football, Love, Parenting/Children, Self-Worth, Sports, Stupidity.3 comments
Grace.
It’s a simple word, and one that takes on a variety of meanings in today’s culture. For instance, we may “say grace” or say that someone “exhibits a certain grace” when they move.
Or, we might experience the strange wonder of undeserved forgiveness. This is what the Apostle Paul talks about in the New Testament book of Romans. Typically, parents expect to be the “givers of grace.” A more amazing grace is that which can be delivered by your child. (more…)
Art of Failure Part 2: 3 Ways to Learn from Negative Feedback November 10, 2006
Posted by TimTheFoolMan in anger, Coaching, Discipline, Education, Exercise, Family, Football, Learning, Love, Management, Parenting/Children, Self-Worth, Sports, Success, Workplace.6 comments
In the first half of this essay, I talked about ways to give effective negative feedback. This is difficult, because we’re conditioned to be negative in unhealthy and destructive ways, which encourages some to abandon negative communication altogether.
I’m convinced that negative feedback has been given a bad rap. Regardless of whether it’s in connection with correcting the behavior of children, players, or subordinates, I’ve seen evidence that some of the greatest in any particular field seem to draw inspiration and strength from past failures. Ultimately, where’s the balance? Why is it that negative feedback has such a positive effect on some, but such a negative effect on others? How much is it dependent on the recipient? (more…)
Review: 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser November 8, 2006
Posted by TimTheFoolMan in Technology.3 comments
The rental agreement said “Compact Car.” The clerk asked if I wanted to upgrade to something larger, I responded (as you always should), “What do I have now?”
“A PT Cruiser” was the reply.
Well, it’s not exactly what I would call a compact car, but it was definitely larger than any number of small cars I’ve driven. I wasn’t going to drive a ton of miles, but wanted those few miles to be comfortable. Fortunately, I was only slightly disappointed.
Back to Normal (Whatever that is…) November 7, 2006
Posted by TimTheFoolMan in Love, Workplace.3 comments
Work has calmed down and now I suppose things in my life will return to normal. Now is as good a time as any to step back and look at the priorities in my life, and make sure that the hours I invest correspond to the things that I really believe are most important.
Gone are the nights staying up until 1:00am. Gone are the mornings of getting up bleary-eyed from not enough sleep. Gone are the long phone conversations into another time zone. Gone are the worries about meeting someone, making the right impression, and making sure that all the little details are “just right.” I won’t worry about setting the ringer on the phone so that it wakes me up, but not anyone else. Gone are the 4-5 hour drives across several states. Gone are the days of making sure that the phone is glued to my hip, just in case…
Yes, all these things are going to slip quietly into memories…
Why don’t I feel good about it?
A Fool and his Words are Soon Parted 