Weekly Tips

Tip: Remember what to do when you spill your milk!

Tip of the week

I would imagine that at one time or another every one of us has accidentally spilled our milk! When I was in grade school, we had to pour our milk into a cone-shaped cup every day at lunch time from the milk dispenser. Because I liked milk so much, I would usually fill my cup as full as possible. Then I would have to walk very carefully and slowly to the table so that it would not “slosh” out on everyone. Today milk comes in handy individual cartons so students don’t have to worry as much about spilling it on their friends.

Tip: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!” – Helen Keller

Tip of the week

This week I want to borrow a phrase for our Tip from one of the most important individuals who ever lived. Helen Keller was born in Alabama in 1880. She was healthy at birth and lived a normal life for 19 months. However, at that time, she was stricken by a fever and as a result, became deaf and blind. And, hence, mute. She lived in complete darkness and silence until she was seven years old.

Tip: It is important to be open-minded if we want to grow!

Tip of the week

As some of you will recall, a recent Tip had to do with understanding the difference between manipulation and influence. My point was the meaning of the word manipulation does not necessarily have to be bad; it could also have a positive meaning. One of my readers helped me have a more clear understanding of that word.

Tip: Remember, there is a big distinction between manipulation and deception!

Tip of the week

Whenever I hear someone say, “They tried to manipulate me,” I often think to myself, “Well, of course, they did. Everyone tries to manipulate people and circumstances all day long. That is the nature of life and business.”

Tip: Here is how to make Christmas last all year!

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So many of you have responded to us throughout the year by telling us how much these Tips mean to you each week. While we do not do it to get a response, we are grateful when someone takes the time to tell us that these Tips have made an impact and a difference in his or her life. Hopefully this Tip will be a great gift to you!

Tip: Always be gentle with everyone first

Tip of the week

Every year at the end of September and the beginning of October, the Texas State Fair is held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. If you have never been, I would encourage you do so because it is one spectacular event!

Tip: Feelings and emotions are your friends

Tip of the week

When I was growing up, I experienced a variety of feelings on a daily basis. Sometimes I would feel happiness and excitement, while at other times I would feel sadness or frustration. I did not know how to understand my feelings; I only knew that I felt something inside. For the most part, my outward circumstances determined my inward feelings. When my circumstances were great, I felt great on the inside. However, if things were lousy on the outside, there was usually sadness on the inside.

Tip: Hire race horses, not donkeys!

Tip of the week

Years ago, while I was working on a Master’s Degree in education, I took a class on how to run a successful school. I will never forget one of the lectures. Our professor, who had many years of school experience, said that if we had a faculty composed of quality teachers, we would have a good school year. He also reminded us that one or two “bad apples” could spoil the whole bunch. (Since most of us have experienced both great school teachers and not-so-great ones, I am sure that you understand this concept.)

Tip: Put “understanding” on the top of your list!

Tip of the week

I have talked before about “finer distinctions” as they relate to different topics, but with every passing day, I see their value even more. This Tip is about the distinction between knowledge and understanding.

Tip: There is always something for which you can be thankful!

Tip of the week

As most of you know, here in the United States we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week. I realize that this Tip goes to many other countries where Thanksgiving is celebrated at different times. Regardless of where you live and when you celebrate it, Thanksgiving is a good time to remember to be thankful and grateful for everything that you have in life. I have often been reminded that success in life has everything to do with an attitude of gratitude. When a person has a good attitude and a grateful heart, it seems to open doors of opportunity for them that would never be opened otherwise. Not many people who are bitter and ungrateful have prospered very much in their life.

Tip: Forgiveness is giving up the hope of a better past

Tip of the week

All of us have had experiences in life when we felt as though we got the “short end of the stick.” Someone did us wrong, let us down or damaged us in some way that caused us to have hurt feelings. In this life, no one is going to escape having something happen that is unkind or unfair.

Tip: It’s okay to rest, but don’t you quit!

Tip of the week

Life can be challenging at times. Dr. Scott Peck, the famous Psychiatrist and author once wrote, “Life is hard and then you die.” That statement seems so pessimistic. His point was, however, that if we expect life to be anything else, we will be sorely disappointed.

Tip: There’s a big difference between a preference and a conviction

Tip of the week

Words have a specific meaning. When we understand what a word really means, it makes a big difference in how we act or react in any given situation. In this Tip, I want to differentiate between preference and conviction.