When most people hear the words “abuse of power”, thoughts drift toward those who are in charge of running countries, mostly because these are the situations that are most visible in the press. We hear about how kings build great wealth and enjoy all of the best things in life while their people are starving and dying in the streets. …
End the Silence on Domestic Violence
I recently came across the above-referenced season-long campaign against Domestic Violence that has been undertaken by Dr. Phil McGraw on his “Dr. Phil” television show and whether you are a fan of Dr. Phil, or not, this show and his website at DrPhil.com are way too important for anyone to miss. This is not just another “let’s talk about it” theme to …
Domestic Abuse Hurts
I recently received the attached letter from a reader who chose to share her story with me in response to my request to share your stories as a way to help others. As I read it, there were so many things with which I could identify and I now understand that while her sharing was her way of helping others, …
Referees Face Ban for Pink Whistles
I could not believe my eyes when I read this story about a group of Washington state referees that banned together to donate their high school refereeing game checks to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and to use pink whistles during those games. And now they are facing punishment for the use of those pink …
The Lesson of the Chilean Miners
This week, I found myself among the 1.2 billion people who tuned in to watch the rescue of the 33 miners that had been trapped underground for more than 2 months. The overwhelming emotion that I felt as each man was released was indescribable. What a miracle it is that all of those men as well as those who entered …
Bullying
There are currently a number of stories in the news regarding young people committing suicide because of the treatment that they have received at the hands of bullies. I can’t begin to imagine how someone could ever treat another person in that manner under any circumstances. And to think that those actions that invade a person’s privacy are funny and …
Constructive Criticism
As part of the completion of the fiscal year at our office on September 30th comes the Performance Evaluations. Those were shared with each employee yesterday and I must admit that I have never seen such a sad situation. The silence was deafening. So many people were extremely upset and this was played out in so many different ways. I …
Support for Pregnancy/Child Loss Survivors
This week I received a most interesting request from a young lady who recently had a miscarriage. As I read her email, she made me realize that women who have had a miscarriage or who have lost a child often have nowhere to turn for support in their loss. I am attaching her very poignant email here in its entirety: …
When A Partner Cheats
I have been chatting with a young lady whose partner has cheated on her and has subsequently left her and moved on to another relationship. This person wants her cheater back. She believes that once the cheater has spent time away from her, the cheater will so miss what they had together that the cheater will return and all will …
Enjoying Each Day
With the anniversary of September 11th so fresh in my mind, I couldn’t help but reflect upon all of those people who lost their lives that day and all of those who lost loved ones that day. It also reminded me about how we so often take for granted the lives that we have and how it is so easy …