The Coach of the NBA Champions asks, “What is your ZFL (Zest for Life)?”

I would venture to say my hometown high school had the greatest fan in the history of sports. His name was Scott. He was my classmate and friend. He had cerebral palsy. He had unbridled passion for a team he loved, in spite of their poor performances and underdog status (Scott and I pictured here)… read more →

What Does it Take to be Likable in the USA?

It is not surprising to any of us that people from different areas of your country or even the world, can communicate in the same language, but still miss appropriate cultural means of communicating.  When I was very little, my parents taught me that when I needed to go to the bathroom, rather than say.. read more →

No One Likes a Parasite. So, Why Be One?

Growing up in the mountains of Montana exposed me to many things. Most were good, some were bad. One insect all disdained is called a “tick.” A tick is a small parasite that gets it life from the life of another. Usually, in early spring, the ticks come out in abundance. They find places where.. read more →

Fighting- It Is What So Many Chinese Do

When a Chinese friend is struggling or needs a little encouragement, often another Chinese friend will come along and either say “fighting” or put a well-placed emoticon of an arm flexing to symbolize and encourage the same thing: “keep fighting.”I wondered where this came from.  My Chinese friend told me it actually originated in Korea,.. read more →

Two Lessons from the 2014 NBA Finals

I’m a basketball player, now, wisely, resigned to being a fan. I love basketball. I grew up playing most every day from the age of six-eighteen.  In the cold Montana snowy winters I would shovel off my basketball court so I could play. I had the weather beaten, split, bleeding fingers to show for it… read more →

Does Happiness Have to be so Elusive? Happiness and EQ

“Happiness is the ability to enjoy your life, to enjoy yourself and others and to have fun” (EQ Edge, 217).  Happiness is a barometer of your overall emotional intelligence and functioning.  Happy people tend to have more friends, have higher energy for life interests and demands in addition to outliving those who are unhappy. Thousands.. read more →

Is There Anything Wrong with the Advice, “Just Follow Your Heart?” EQ 15 Reality Testing

One of the popular pieces of advice given to people who are trying to decide what to do, who to date/marry, where to live, what major to choose etc. is to “Just follow your heart.”  How wise is this counsel? When someone advises another to do this, I believe they are basically saying, “Follow your.. read more →

“The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway” EQ #14 Optimism

You want to be that person, don’t you? Facing storms, facing cold you look forward with determination and resolve and exclaim in the face of it all, “the cold never bothered me anyway.” Those lyrics from the song, “Let it Go,” have been popularized by the Disney smash hit, Frozen. An important EQ quality, optimism,.. read more →

What 6 Experiences Now, as a Collegian, Will Make Me Happier and More Successful….later?

According to a recent Gallup Poll, six experiences while in college will lead to a person eventually enjoying and being engaged in their future career and experiencing an overall feeling of well being in their adult lives.  So, what kind of experiences should collegians try to have now that will help them later in life? .. read more →

What Do I Really Want To Do With My Life?

What Do I Really Want to Do with My Life? Most of those I work with are at what we call a “crossroads” in life. They are preparing for their future but have a number of options to consider. How can one be sure to take the right path? First and foremost, you must know.. read more →