S:1028 Distinction: Urgency vs. Emergency
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Having a sense of urgency is useful. Feeling you need to ‘get after it’ can be a good focusing tool and lead to appropriate action. Dealing with an emergency is something else. Emergency triggers a reaction. […]
S:1027 Distinction: Possess vs. Own
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) If you believe you own something, yet it can be taken from you, then you are merely a possessor of it. Try not paying the property taxes on a piece of land you own and see […]
S:1023 Distinction: Regret vs. Guilt
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Regret, we can live with. Guilt has a higher cost. What’s the difference? Intention. As an example, imagine you were really, really tired, knew you were impaired, chose to drive anyway, someone pulled out in front […]
S:1021 Distinction: What You Have vs. What You Don’t Have
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) This Distinction has a different approach than most. Usually they point out subtle, yet meaningful, differences between two words or terms. With this one the difference between What You Have and What You Don’t Have appears […]
S:1010 Distinction: Peaceful vs. Numb
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Have you ever wanted to not feel something and chose to numb out? Most of us have. Pain, upset, discomfort, fear, shame, anger . . . ugh, hard to even read the list, isn’t it? There […]
S:1008 Distinction: Pleased vs. Proud
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) “What a good boy! I’m so proud of you.” “I know you did your best, honey. You should be proud.” These and countless other phrases are tools for teaching a child self-esteem. To develop a sense […]
S:1006 Distinction: Truthful vs. Accurate
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) While reading “The Boys In The Boat” by Daniel James Brown I saw something which had eluded me until then. The story is an accounting of the incredible 4-year journey of nine lads at the University […]
S:1001 Distinction: Essence vs. Appearance
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) The quick hit, the short bit, the sound bite, the flash of light. These are what most people pay attention to, if you could even call it paying attention. They are beguiled by the appearance of […]
S:0998 Distinction: Play vs. Movie
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) When attending a movie or a play you can have a similar experience. With each you are in an audience watching others (the actors) do what they do, though most people report the experience of watching […]
S:0991 Distinction: Illuminate vs. Dazzle
(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) Sometimes it’s fun to be dazzled. It has an energy, a zip to it that seems so cool. Dazzle catches our eye and appears to be meaningful. But the essence of dazzle is hollow, all flash […]