Dear what-were-you-thinking drama participants, When I was half way through graduate school, I had to pick a research topic for my dissertation. I remember this sage-like graduate putting his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eye, and saying, “Word to the wise, don’t pick a topic you like. Because when you’re through with […]
Dear I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it drama participants, I travel around the country conducting a seminar on manipulators, that fetching group we refer to in this weekly letter as “drama people.” I tell my audiences the same things I’ve explained here—that we’re all flawed, that our flaws show up most clearly in close relationships, and that drama people lack […]
Dear I-could-stand-a-little-less-drama readers, It seems to be one of those axioms of life that whichever line you choose at the bank drive-through will take the longest. And the bigger your hurry, the longer the wait. Why it works that way I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure the axiom operates at the same level of […]
Dear drama participants, I once heard someone say that if you want to develop patience, spend lots of time at the Department of Motor Vehicles. I would simply add—or airports. For me, traveling provides opportunities for developing various character traits. An airport—any airport—is like a petri dish in which I’m forced to grow qualities like […]
Dear those of you wishing you were in the small group that understands the meaning of “covfefe”, Like Pavlov’s dog salivating at the sound of a bell, hearing The Twilight Zone music still brings to mind warm childhood memories of Friday nights and hot chocolate. Chain-smoking Rod Serling would set up each episode and then […]
Dear exhausted drama participants, Earlier this week, a couple in my office was having conflict over the way they handle conflict. “I hate arguing with you,” groused the husband, “because you always have to be right.” “It’s not that I HAVE to be right,” the wife shot back. “It’s just that I always am.” This […]
Dear don’t-believe-your-lying-eyes drama participant, When I was growing up, every boy I knew was fascinated with World War II. My friends and I spent countless hours playing army in the woods close to my house. We wore homemade uniforms, took turns being Allied or Axis soldiers, and made gunfire noises with our mouths. […]
I won the mother lottery. I was raised by a great one and married a great one. I had the first one for 17 short years. I’ve been with the second one for almost 40. So, I’ve had 50 yard line seats to watch Super-Bowl-winning moms for decades. For me, Mother’s Day conjures up […]
Dear trying-not-to-cringe-drama participant, I travel a lot doing seminars. I was checking into my hotel one evening and heard a clamor coming from down the hall that sounded like a cross between a hog-calling contest and what you might hear at a primal scream group therapy session. Some of the noises occasionally coalesced into rhythmic, […]
Dear hoping-for-an-intermission drama participant, You might’ve assumed this past week that, since I live in Nashville, I would know the best places to purchase those WWAJD (What Would Andrew Jackson Do) bracelets. I’m looking into it but every store I’ve called is sold out. I’ll keep you posted. I’ve continued thinking about a topic I […]