As you have probably experienced, most New Years resolutions aren’t kept. I think I know why. It has to do with how we go about keeping them. As the previous year draws to a close, it’s only natural that we look back and resolve to do better in the coming year. We say, “This year, I’m going to lose weight (stop smoking, get it shape, drink less, etc).” What is wrong with that? you might ask. The problem arises from relying on will power to accomplish our goals. Ever notice how motivated and excited we are to begin working on our resolution?...

Empowerment has become an overused buzz word these days. Every one wants to be empowered and wants to empower those around them but what does that actually mean? I came upon a good example that demonstrates the value of an empowered work staff. A while ago, I rented a car from Enterprise at the Ft. Lauderdale airport.  When I returned to the airport, I was anticipating the usual long line of cars and a long wait for the inspector to record my mileage and give me my final receipt.  I’ve noticed over the years that the guys who check you in when you return...

The pterodactyl, flying dinosaur I saw a documentary in an IMAX theatre about an ambitious project that the Smithsonian Institute once undertook.  They wanted to create a life-sized flying dinosaur, a replica of the famous pterodactyl.  The hardest part for them was to figure out how this ancient bird was able to change direction in flight.  They toyed with the idea of using the bird’s tail as a rudder. They also tried lowering the bird’s shoulder and rolling the wings to the right or left but nothing they tried ever worked.  Finally, they...

My dad once told me a story about how he decided to become a doctor.  It was because of his 10th grade science teacher.  Here he was, the 9th of 10 children, going through school with no particular distinction.  Years earlier, his mom had lied about his age and had gotten him into first grade when he was only five— evidently to get him out from under her feet at home.  Now he was in the 10th grade, younger and smaller than everyone else.  One day, his science teacher took him aside and said, “You know, you really have a natural ability in science. ...

My brother called me the other day very excited about a new mantra he just started using.  It wasn’t really a mantra in the way we usually think about them—some word that you say over and over again in your mind during meditation.  It was more like a little expression or affirmation he could repeat often that would remind him of his beliefs and his values.  In this case the expression was, “Everything’s working out for me.”  Of course, he couldn’t prove that this statement was true because it was just his interpretation of events but it was...

Have you noticed over the past ten years how many of us have become more selective about what we put in our mouths?  I used to be a somewhat unconscious omnivore back in the day.  Now I’m likely to pay close attention to what I eat.  Sugar on an empty stomach is now a no-no, wheat is suspect, and dairy and I are not the good friends we used to be.  It’s not just that we have become more educated over time about the deleterious (Can you say trans fats?) or anti-aging (You want blueberries with that?) effects of different foods on our bodies.  We’ve...