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A sigh is an audible exhalation of breath—a groan, an expression of sadness, grief, yearning, resignation, or frustration. Why do we sigh?
Usually, a negative mood motivates a sigh, though sighs can also be a simple expression of relief. When we have negative emotions, our brain may trigger the release of “sigh neuropeptides” that cause us to sigh. Scientists...
Each of us had a mother who carried and nourished us in her womb until we were born. Most of us had a mother who rocked us, fed us, burped us, and bathed us. She kissed our skinned knee, sent us off to school in clean clothes, and made sure we did our homework. She taught us right from wrong and a thousand other lessons. Our mothers should be honored.
When I was a child, my family frequently visited my grandparents’ home. Each time we did, my grandfather would have some task for us to do. My brothers and I never really minded the work, though, because he would always make it fun and teach us something deeper in the process. I cannot even count the number of projects we worked on together, but they are now...
What do Sean Connery, Oprah Winfrey, Yao Ming, and Baby Yoda have in common? Aside from their obvious celebrity, they—along with other sports icons, TV and cinema personalities (whether real or fictional), and political figures—have all featured sometime or another on a series of “READ” posters. Sponsored by the American Library Association, “READ” posters are...
Many extol the virtues of compromise, especially in politics. Some historical compromises were made to avoid conflicts, wars, and loss of life. But, is compromise always a good idea?
One meaning of compromise is an agreement reached by each side making concessions. A compromise about what to have for dinner or deciding what television program or movie to watch ...
Have you observed angry, demanding people with grievances—whether real or imagined—or special interests seeking redress with threats of disruption or violence to achieve their ends? It is an ancient practice that will not end well for them. In several places, the Bible calls such individuals “fools.” For example, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving,...
Are we guaranteed to be wiser and more mature in ten or fifteen years than we are today? Looking back, can we see the evidence of greater wisdom and understanding in our own lives today compared to a decade ago? If you have never put much thought into this subject, the answer might be “no”—but that could change.
Most people try to avoid prickly situations. You know, those awkward, uncomfortable moments when one says or does the wrong thing, which is embarrassing for all concerned. The customs and procedures most people consider “good manners” resulted from the need to have standards of social conduct that govern courteous, considerate human interaction.
Everything we do has a cost. The cost may include money, time, physical or mental exertion, or a toll on our emotional health and well-being. Sometimes, the cost of our actions is imposed on the people we love. Failing to forgive others exacts a tremendous cost.
If someone crashes into our automobile, there is not only a monetary cost for repairs but also the...
A legacy can be a wonderful thing. Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines legacy as "A bequest, a gift by will; something received from an ancestor or predecessor." A legacy could be property or financial assets, great literature or works of art, or something more transcendental, such as a good name, a wonderful example, or a philosophy of life and how to live...