S:1097 Distinction: Spontaneous vs. Impulsive
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Among the great joys of being human is the freedom to live with spontaneity. Spontaneous includes joy, adventure, gratefulness, opportunity, surprise, enthusiasm, connection, and, well, life. To be spontaneous is to be on the leading edge […]
S:1095 Distinction: Imminent vs. Inevitable
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Imminent has a sense of drama about it – near-term, looming, potentially threatening. It may not feel very comfortable. The point of this Distinction is that imminent is frequently confused with, and incorrectly used interchangeably for, […]
S:1093 Distinction: Managed Stress vs. No Stress
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Since you’re not likely to have a life with no stress, it’s probably a good idea to learn to manage it when it occurs. Oh, you can attempt to have no stress – I guess living […]
S:1090 Distinction: Missile vs. Rocket
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) The primary difference between a missile and a rocket is that a missile has a guidance system, a rocket does not. Once a rocket is launched you just stand back to see where it goes. A […]
S:1083 Distinction: Grateful vs. Prideful
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Prideful is a common condition. It’s an expression of comparison, superiority, winning; in other words, separation. It’s a product of the mind, the ego, the head, and leaves one closed off. Grateful comes more from the […]
S:1074 Distinction: Informed vs. Told
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Some people resist being told. (You know who you are!) For them it grates, irritates, or seems demeaning. They’re not wrong, it’s just how they are. Others, but not all, like to be informed. Brought up to […]
S:1072 Distinction: Know vs. Assume
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) I believe most of the problems in the world result from faulty assumptions. Each person, operating from their own frame of reference, tries to make sense of their world. From their unique perspective they add to, […]
S:1071 Distinction: Be Yourself vs. Prove Yourself
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Children, in learning how their world works, will frequently perform in order to get feedback. The process of doing so places the source of their information outside of them. “How’m I doing?” is their implied, or […]
S:1069 Distinction: In-vironment vs. Environment
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) It’s pretty clear to most people that hanging around toxic environments is not useful. Toxics include – chemicals, fluids, and fumes; certain foods, drinks, and drugs; companies, relationships, and relatives; organizations, ‘messiahs,’ and movements. In short, […]
S:1056 Distinction: Enlighten vs. Lecture
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Don’t lecture me. Don’t make me wrong, ‘should on’ me, act superior, or treat me like I’m stupid. You do – subtlety or overtly – and I’ll dig in my heels and push back, or at […]