Search Results for: blog trying using your nice voice when you can

Learning about Coping Gracefully from My Pets

Over in Marriage I wrote about how this year has been one blow after the other and I feel like I’m living under a black cloud. A string of them to be exact. No sooner does one pass than another one moves in and pours on me some more. I don’t even get a chance to fully dry off. I’ve been trying to cope as well as I can, but I have to be honest. My defenses are wearing down. Yesterday I got another blow. My dad’s girlfriend called to say she was at St. Anthony’s with my dad. He … Continue reading →

Sometimes Guidance Must be Subtle

Often it seems very clear to us as parents that we must step in and be direct and “take charge” when it comes to guiding and parenting our children. Especially when they are younger and we need to keep them safe and make sure lessons are very clear and concise. As our children get older, however, sometimes we need to take a much lighter hand. Our guidance and parenting often has to be much more subtle… I have found that learning how to guide my children from more of an advisory or facilitator’s role has been one of the hardest … Continue reading →

When You Absolutely, Positively Cannot Stand a Customer, Client or Colleague

I am, by nature, a very positive person. So, I can get pretty resentful when individuals bring out my “negative side.” And, while I am a grown-up and I know some of the basics of diplomacy and how to cope and deal with difficult people—every once in a while there is someone who I absolutely, positively, do not and cannot manage to like. What then? I have found that the few people who have set my teeth on edge are normally pretty negative people—those individuals (colleagues, clients, customers) who gripe and whine about everything and anything, refuse to take responsibility … Continue reading →