A communication face is the non-verbal part of communicating with someone. We all have one. Not all are a resting bitch face, but sometimes they look that way. Accidentally. How can you appear attentive and interested when all you really want to do is take a nap? How long can you sustain your bright-eyed and […]
READ INSTRUCTIONS, VERIFIABLE INSTRUCTIONS
July 28, 2024 by
We all read instructions before starting things. Or should. But . . . ? You already know what to do? They don’t make sense? No one is telling you what to do?
CLEAR DOWN RANGE NEW MEANING
May 3, 2024 by
The first time I heard the call of “CLEAR DOWN RANGE” I was laying in the dirt with the guys, Fort Ord dirt, and trying to fit three bullets inside the diameter of a quarter. The best I got was two in with a stray nearby. The rifle range targets were a head and shoulder […]
ABANDONED PLACES WHERE COMMON SENSE USED TO BE
September 27, 2021 by
Abandoned places can be literal or figurative. The first is an old log cabin in the woods rotting into the ground; the other is the hollow spot in your chest where a heart use to be. Why a heart? Because I’ve had recent experience with that hollow spot. With regard to emotions, ignore them long […]
SURPRISING CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT PAYING ATTENTION?
July 9, 2021 by
Brace yourself for surprising consequences for not paying attention. More important, dial up your empathy when you hear someone telling about the consequences for their poor behavior. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I mean, I know how it looks, but what’s the problem? It could have been anyone.” If you’re listening, maintain eye contact, nod […]
FATHER’S DAY FROM OLD DAD TO NEW DAD ALL TOGETHER
June 18, 2021 by
Father’s Day comes every year, but that first one is something else. A new dad on his day lays the groundwork of tradition for every Father’s Day for the next fifty years. Will it be like a birthday? Christmas? Or eventually just another day on the calendar? The easy answer: It depends on the kids. […]
SPEAKING UP? TRY DOING IT IN A CIVIL CONVERSATION
April 17, 2021 by
Speaking up, just the idea of joining a conversation, comes with warnings and red flags. If you have an opinion to share, please do. What’s worse than a closed mouth ready to burst? I have one request of new voices raised up: know what you’re talking about, then cut loose. This is the root of […]
HORSE SENSE AND LEARNING TO RIDE LIKE A HUNGARIAN
March 20, 2021 by
Horse sense is common sense. Says as much right off in the dictionary. What it doesn’t say is what people learn riding a horse. To me that’s a better definition of horse sense. Instead of some blow-hard mansplaining how something simple is done in a most condescending tone, the horse teaches by example. That’s me […]
VOTE: COMMON GOOD TAKES UNCOMMON GOOD SENSE
March 21, 2018 by
A joke about a doctor goes like this: “Doctor, it hurts when I do this?” “Don’t do that,” says the doctor. Hilarity ensues. Take my wife, please. America runs on the same theme. When the rest of the world points to a sore spot and says it hurts, Dr. […]
