jump to navigation

Thank You Rush Limbaugh & Al Franken January 14, 2007

Posted by TimTheFoolMan in anger, Blogging, Communication, hate, hate speech, Politics, Race and Prejudice, Stupidity.
2 comments

This past week, in a public middle school in a the Midwestern United States, two young men sat next to each other. They were African-American and an Asian, but other than the nature of their remarks, they could have been of any race or gender. They had a conversation that went like this:

“Why don’t you go make me some shoes, or maybe an X-Box?”

“Why don’t you go pick some cotton?”

hate

These young men are in the 7th grade, in a school system that has been racially integrated (via system-wide busing) since 1975. Sadly, this kind of exchange is not that unusual. (more…)

Don’t Let Yesterday… January 12, 2007

Posted by TimTheFoolMan in anger, Fear, Learning, life, Love, Reflections, Seasons, Success.
3 comments

…be a prison for today.

All of us have had things in our past that were difficult or painful. For me, there is no shortage of bad memories for me to play back in my mind, over and over. However, at some point, if we keep replaying those events in our mind, they become the TV show we hate to watch, but somehow find it on every channel, all day long.

alone

What haunts you? What memories lurk in the shadows, waiting for you to give them life and breath by revisiting them? What do you have to do to “let go” of them?

My experience is that such things, theoretically locked up in yesterday, can be a prison for today, stealing away my life. Fortunately, I have the power to cast off those bonds and chains. I have to find a way to let go.

Exposed, Disposed, Deposed, Despots December 31, 2006

Posted by TimTheFoolMan in anger, death penalty, Iraq, Morality, pacifism, Politics, Race and Prejudice, Saddam Hussein, Violence, Voting, War and Peace.
2 comments

Recently, Tiffany blogged about the hanging of Saddam Hussein, the culpability of the United States (and specifically, President Bush) for “war crimes.” While I am no fan of our current foreign policy (or lack thereof), and struggle greatly with the actions of my country in Iraq, I’ve been more inclined to look at the developing situation and ask “What do we do now?”

saddam

The hanging of Saddam brings new questions and new concerns, and clearly will not magically bring an end to violence in Iraq. What it does do, is bring closure to the reign of a tyrant. (more…)

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.

ballerina

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.

cowher

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…)