S:0473 Distinction: Challenging vs. Difficult

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   It s an old Buddhist precept that “Life is Difficult.” And maybe it is. It may even be difficult for you much of the time. Difficult implies “hard.” Struggle. Problems. Hardship. It s easy to feel […]

S:0471 Distinction: Hear the Truth vs. Feel Judged

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Can you hear the truth without feeling judged? Most have a tough time with this. We are given feedback, from early in our childhood, through our developing years, and on into adulthood. Sometimes (frequently? nearly always?) […]

S:0470 Distinction: Lie (Actual) vs. Lie (Emotional)

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   When you say someone “lied” it s not a compliment. A liar is ranked right along with a thief and a cheat. People who tell lies are people you don t want to hang around. The […]

S:0468 Distinction: Accept vs. Tolerate

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   When you accept something you have come to terms with it. You cease to resist and are no longer fighting against it. There is acceptance of “what is.” When you are tolerating you still have energy […]

S:0466 Distinction: Not Present vs. Lacking

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   When something is simply not currently present in your life — and many things you want probably aren t currently present — you can still be fine. You can desire those things. Work toward them. Even […]

S:0465 Distinction: Care About vs. Worry

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   You can care very much about an outcome without worrying about it. Worry is a condition you have been normed to, but it is not normal to worry. It is normal to care about. When you […]

S:0462 Distinction: Intelligent vs. Intellectual

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   An intellectual is a person who makes his or her living by dealing in serious mental processes. They are learned people who have made learning their profession. They may also be incapable of the simplest daily […]

S:0459 Distinction: Desire vs. Discipline

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Have you ever wanted something so much that you did extraordinary things to have it? Sure you have, and your actions may have even surprised you when you looked back on them. That s desire at […]

S:0458 Distinction: Business – Good vs. No vs. Bad

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.) [Yes, this is a rare triple-headed Distinction.] To attract good business is obviously better than having no business at all. But the key to this distinction is in the ‘no business’ versus ‘bad business’ end. Bad business […]

S:0455 Distinction: Belonging To vs. Trying To

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Most people want to belong and have spent a large part of their life feeling that they don t. From your teenage years, you may recall, rather intensely, occasions when you felt you didn t belong. […]