How To Understand People

In case you didn't watch the MTV Video Music Awards last night, I'm here to fill you in on something Kanye West said that has both the entertainment and political arenas -- not to mention Facebook and Twitter -- buzzing. The hip hop artist and producer -- otherwise known as Kim Kardashian's husband -- declared his intent to run for the presidency in 2020. Now, I don't know if this is yet another publicity stunt in the same vein as the ones the Kardashians have become notorious for over the years, but Kanye West isn't the least bit qualified to run for office. Now that the anti-politician movement continues to pick up steam, we may see more and more Washington outsiders make a bid for the White House. Currently, we have three businesspeople in the presidential race, the most notorious of which is Donald Trump. But who's to say that more entertainers won't throw their hat in the ring? From Ronald Reagan to Arnold Schwarzenegger, we've seen several ...

December 2007 marked the start of what would become the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. At the height of said recession, the economy was hemorrhaging jobs at an unprecedented rate. Business were shuttering. Layoffs were touching virtually every industry. The situation was bleak, and it seemed like the sky was going to fall down.  Slowly but surely, we've come out of it, and now the worst appears to be behind us. Consumer confidence has rebounded in a big way, with consumers forking over big bucks on everything from dining and entertainment to cars and homes. When I conduct searches on CareerBuilder and Indeed.com, I see twice -- if not three times -- as many listings for jobs in my field as I saw just a few years ago. Unfortunately, though, real wage growth remains non-existent, and there are still far too many people out of work. Some people fear it might be another 5-10 years before the economy is in full swing again. Although things have improved, who...

I just finished reading a book called "Mindfulness" by Ellen J. Langer. While it wasn't the best psychology book I've ever read, there were a couple of key takeaways I'd like to share. First, mindfulness is the exact opposite of mindlessness , and Langer seems to suggest that most of society suffers from the latter. When you're mindful, you don't take everything at face value. You don't merely assume, for example, that a toothbrush's only function is to clean and whiten your teeth, or that a person missing an arm must be lousy at sports. Langer stresses that in order to achieve full mindfulness, we have to throw our preconceived notions, biases, and stereotypes to the wind. Most of us do seem to go through life in a rote, mindless fashion. We seldom question our own beliefs and the reasons why things around us happen as they do. She points out that because we begin discriminating against the elderly at an early age -- perhaps as a byproduct of...

Most of us are appreciative of the things and people in our lives. Still, there is always something missing that we wish we could have. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Wouldn't life become a bit dull if everything we could possibly want was in our possession? Here are a few examples of things we might yearn for: More money Better health A college degree Traveling around the world Children, or more of them A better job A partner A better house Right now, the thing I want most in my life is to earn a master's degree. I've always loved to learn, which I do even in my spare time. I find it unsettling that some of the people I know don't share my deep passion for knowledge, and yet they have that diploma hanging on their wall. Something just doesn't seem right about that.  That's why I'm mulling whether to go back to my alma mater and get that ever-elusive degree. Up until now, my excuse for not going had been that they didn't...

My wife's birthday was last Saturday. Because of other priorities, we pushed back a birthday dinner we've been planning for months to this week. Here's the funny thing: I personally sent my three closest friends an invite via text. After two days, I had yet to hear a peep from any of them. So it dawned on me that maybe they'd respond more quickly if my wife herself extended them an invitation via text. She did just that, and all 3 of them responded within the hour! It seems to me like men don't pay as much attention to their male friends' inquiries as they do that of their female friends or acquaintances. None of these guys are used to receiving messages from my wife, so as soon as they saw the texts, they probably thought it unusual and immediately sprung to action. Could it be that many men have been taught that if a woman asks for something, you just do it? That it's the gentlemanly way of behaving? Perhaps, then, they might receive a similar re...

Some women find them sexy. Others find them rather appalling. Two of my female friends have told me they don't like the thought of a guy putting anything on his body that he won't be able to undo or take off later on. Think about how many guys tattoo the name of their girlfriend on their arm or back, only to see that relationship fall through the drain shortly thereafter. Women in this camp further contend that they just want a man's body to look as clean as can be. In fact, many insist that they even keep their body hair at a manageable level. Other women are more accepting of and receptive to tattoos, as long as they're not too obtrusive. For example, some don't mind that a man have a tattoo as long as it's small and not in plain view. They'd also prefer that the tattoo stand for something meaningful -- say, a religious symbol -- than something outlandish like a skull or dragon. Others in this group are less finicky and would be swell with any and all ...

If you're like me, you sometimes give what others do or say far too much importance. I wanted to share a quote I recently stumbled upon, which, I feel, holds a great deal of truth and meaning: "Don't let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace." - Dalai Lama As I've stated in other posts, there's no reason why we should let people "hijack" our thoughts and emotions. Why should we get so bogged down that a friend left us hanging?  Why should the fact that our partners don't always think like we do irritate us? The reason we do these things is simple: It's because we care. Some of us can't help but to wear our hearts on our sleeves. Unfortunately, this can leave us feeling quite disheartened. The solution? We must strive to think rationally as opposed to thinking with our emotions. We must take the attitude that no matter what our friends or partners do to us, we will still be happy and at peace with ourselves. Why? ...

...you were told that you had to rid yourself of all your possessions (excluding food, drink, water, medicine, clothing, and other essentials) -- except for only one . Which one item would you keep? Remember, we're talking about things that would be considered non-essentials -- wants rather than needs. You could only stay with one. I'll break the ice. As hard as it would be to kiss my beloved books goodbye, I think I would choose either my cell phone or laptop. Keeping one not only ensures I have the means to contact others, but I can use either the phone or laptop to avail of free Wi-Fi at a nearby Starbucks or McDonald's. Such gadgets also offer great entertainment value in the sense you can use them to play games and listen to music. As if that weren't enough, they have more practical applications, e.g., you can create Word documents on them. I realize there's no easy answer here. For example, men would have to forego things like porn and condoms; wom...

Studies have repeatedly shown that it's experiences -- not material goods -- that enrich our lives the most. So far, I've traveled very little in my life, which is something I'm aiming to change in the next couple of years. My wife and I are contemplating taking a trip to Walt Disney World in the winter and to Boston next spring. It's no surprise that experiences have been found to bring us the most happiness. After all, only they create lifelong memories. We can always relive a trip to Hawaii or a cruise to the Bahamas via pictures, videos, and keepsakes we bring home with us. But what is there to treasure about material possessions? Unless it's, say, a family heirloom you inherited from your grandfather, material possessions just wear and are eventually replaced. I would much rather spend my money on an experience I've never had before -- dinner at a popular restaurant on the other side of town or a trip to a breathtaking destination on the other side ...

A study in the Journal of Global Fashion Marketing demonstrates that consumers ought to be wary of claims made in cosmetic ads. Timothy Reisenwitzm, Jie G. Fowler, and Les Carson analyzed close to 300 full-page cosmetics ads from the April 2013 issues of seven fashion publications including Glamour and Vogue. The ads studied encompassed a broad range of product categories, from facial skincare and make-up to fragrance and nail products. The researchers categorized the claims as"environmental," "endorsement," or "scientific." The judges then classified each claim as falling into one of four categories of truthfulness: "outright lie," "omission," "vague," or "acceptable." Only 18% of all claims made by the cosmetics companies were deemed "acceptable." However, just 14% of claims scientific in nature were regarded as acceptable, as opposed to 50% of those made about a product's environmental attribut...

Feeling frustrated? Stressed? Gloomy? I've been there myself. Whether we're at work or home, it's normal for negative thoughts to permeate our thinking, leading to depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant health outcomes. Here are 3 proven tricks for turning that frown upside down: 1. Just smile: Research shows that merely smiling for no reason can raise your spirits in a big way. In fact, studies have found that when subjects smiled while talking to someone on the phone, the people on the other end perceived the subjects as being in a good mood. 2. Focus your attention on what makes you happy: Seeking out positive, feel-good stimuli allows you to mentally disconnect from your troubles, even if only for a minute or two. For example, I have always had a soft spot for animals. When I'm down in the dumps at work, nothing changes my attitude for the better like seeing pictures or videos of baby animals, whether they be kittens, puppies, or pandas. In your case, it mi...

...and assume the following: you find him really, really attractive you're single and craving some companionship you desperately need the job you figure that a little rough-and-tumble in bed can only open up promotion opportunities Your first reaction is probably, "That's preposterous. No woman with a healthy level of self-respect would ever do that." But let's be real. In the heat of the moment, anything can happen. Loneliness can leave us feeling vulnerable. And when a person you find very attractive comes on you, it isn't always to resist his or her advances.  However, sleeping with your boss can open a can of worms when: one of you presses the other for something more serious the sex results in an unwanted pregnancy you decide you want to leave the company, much to your boss's chagrin, or vice-versa the boss treats you differently if you're not putting out If I found myself in this situation, I would do my best to muster e...

Jared Fogle became the face of Subway after the sandwich chain released a commercial in 2000 chronicling his impressive weight loss journey -- one that saw him drop close to 250 pounds thanks to his exercise routine and a simple diet that included Subway sandwiches. Fast forward to 2015 and the bespectacled pitchman finds his life in shambles. He intends to plead guilty to child pornography charges and to traveling across state lines to pay for sex with minors. The plea deal would see Fogle serve between 5 and 12 1/2 years of jail time. Not surprisingly, Subway cut all ties with Fogle as soon as his home was raided by authorities. Fogle's wife plans to file for divorce, and the pitchman must adhere to a pornography ban and seek treatment for sexual disorders. The story is shocking to say the least. Who would have thought this man -- who seemed to project a squeaky clean image -- had so many skeletons in the closet? Subway did the right thing in wasting no time repudiating F...

Today I'd like to share a quote from John Wooden (1910-2010), an American basketball player and coach: "Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden This reminds of another quote that is often bounced around in work and school settings: "To be insane is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result." To be successful in life, you have to be receptive to change -- there's no way around it. I started college as an accounting major and excelled greatly at it. About halfway into the program, though, I realized accounting wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I switched to a major that not only afforded me the opportunity to be more creative, but harnessed my passion for the written word and made use of my writing and editing skills: marketing.  I now have ample marketing communications/copywriting experience under my belt. But making the switch wasn't easy. I had my sights set on accoun...

Recently, I published a post in which I shared an interesting finding -- that people can feel just as embarrassed buying sensitive products like condoms online as they would in person. To read the entry, click here:  Buying condoms online can be just as embarrassing . Something I feel would be worth digging up research on is the following: How often do men feel so embarrassed that they make their partners purchase the condoms for them? I spoke to someone on this blog who said she's been the one to do the condom shopping in her past two relationships. I feel men who leave it to their wives to procure protection because they're too embarrassed to do it themselves are being, shall I say, wusses? After all, women who opt to go on the pill have to make sure they take it every day at the same time and that they don't exhaust their supply. If the man is going to protect himself, he should be the one to buy the condoms. Even if he feels embarrassed, there's absolutely...

Its slogan is straightforward: "Life is short. Have an affair." Ashley Madison, whose website boasts it's the "world's leading married dating service for discreet encounters," was breached last month by a group of hackers who now appear to have made good on their threat to post nearly 10 gigabytes' worth of data on the internet. The data includes names, street addresses, and email addresses associated with millions of payment transactions. Investigators say the data -- chunks of it, at least -- appears to be legitimate. Is this the work of karma kicking these adulterers in the behind? Having an affair is, to me, among the most despicable acts a person can commit. The second people even contemplate cheating on their spouse, that's when a serious conversation is in order. If they aren't sure they can remain faithful, they should file for divorce before things snowball out of control. The ramifications are far worse when children are involved....

I know not all of you are guilty of this, but it's alarming how many women I've caught doing their makeup in the car. Some do it only while at a red light, but others continue to apply lipstick or blush even while the car is moving. I understand that women are short on time in the morning and have no choice but to do their makeup after walking out the door. But doing this while driving is just asking to be in accident! A better solution: Do your makeup in the car before even turning it on. You can alternatively put off the makeup until you've parked your car in the company parking lot. If you're concerned about being a few minutes late, just sign in and immediately head for the restroom. I published a post earlier this summer about the hazards of fiddling with your cell phone while driving. I see applying makeup as no less dangerous. It's inportant we always keep our eyes on the road. There are far too many reports in the news of accidents that were caused by ...

The wait is over, ladies -- now you'll have your own little pink pill to bring back your sex drive (if need be)! On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved flibanserin for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women. (It will be sold under the name Addyi.) This is the first FDA-approved treatment for sexual desire in men or women. While some might consider it the female version of Viagra, Addyi is really in a category of its own. Viagra treats sexual desire -- it does not induce sexual desire. On the other hand, Addyi works on the central nervous system, which is why it falls into the same category as an antidepressant. Common side effects range from nausea and fatigue to dizziness and insomnia. Those who consume alcohol while taking Addyi are at higher risk for severe low blood pressure, which can lead to a temporary loss of consciousness. Addyi will cost about the same per month as a one month supply of Viagra for men. As with all other medi...

I know most of us try to avoid fighting with our partners and friends like the plague. After all, no one wants to be left feeling hurt or resentful. While arguments have been the primary culprit for the demise of many friendships and relationships, they've also been cited as the reason many became stronger over time. I've experienced this firsthand. In fact, I have had pretty bad fights with my wife and closest friends over the years. Somehow, though, I grew closer to all of them following the squabbles. I think an argument can only work in both parties' favor if they each concede some wrongdoing. Both have to be humble enough to admit that while they don't deserve full blame, some of the finger pointing is probably justified. If, however, one person refuses to acknowledge fault, fighting will only help the relationship see a quicker demise. Both parties must also be open to taking conciliatory measures. Saying "I'm sorry" is a good start. Both i...

This morning, I was saddened to read about the death of a man, Lenny B. Robinson, who would dress up as Batman to cheer up kids with life-threatening illnesses in various Maryland hospitals. He drove around in a Batmobile (among the many cars he owned was a black Lamborghini sporting the Batman symbol) and spent thousands of dollars on his costume and memorabilia. Now, he is being mourned by family and fans around the world as a real-life hero. I came across a comment to the article that included this quote: "What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others lives on." It reminds me of a line uttered by Katie Holmes' character in, ironically enough, "Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale: "It's not what you are underneath -- it's what you do that defines you."   These kinds of quotes stand in contrast to the feel-good ones we hear that center around being happy with yourself, not caring what others think of you, and so ...

Are you the type of person who:  feels uneasy at not knowing exactly what's expected of you when starting a new job?  has to have things planned weeks in advance?  generally shirks spontaneity?  likes to eat the same foods every day?  likes doing the same things at the same time every day?  likes taking the same route to and from work every day?  generally avoids unfamiliar situations? If this sounds like you, you have a high level of uncertainty intolerance (also called ambiguity intolerance) . If, however, you prefer to live a bit more on the edge and can't help but change things up every so often -- whether it's your wardrobe, job, or partner, you likely have a low level of uncertainty intolerance. Those who avoid ambiguity generally prefer a structured, cut-and-dried lifestyle, while people who embrace it tend to like taking risks and thrive in fluid situations.  I think most of us find ourselves somewhere in the middle, th...

Earlier today, I published a post on something most women seem to prefer for men have (or, to be more clear, grow). If you haven't read it, you can access the post by clicking here:  Most women seem to prefer men with this... In that post, I alluded to what many men -- including myself -- say makes a woman more feminine and thus more desirable: Long hair. I respect women's reasons for keeping their hair short (too hot outside, less maintenance), but I'll be totally frank: those with really short hair -- the kind that hardly touches the ears, if that -- have never really tickled my fancy. I realize that men have different taste, and women have every right to keep their hair at whatever length they wish. Personally, though, there's nothing sexier than a woman with long hair. I feel it not only makes one look more feminine, but gives her more character as well. Longer hair is also easier to caress and play with. My definition of "long" would probably be...

Over the past few weeks, I've asked 12 women whether they prefer men with facial hair or without. The result? Eighty three percent (10 in total) said they'd choose stubble over the clean look. I find this interesting because, from what I remember, plenty of girls I went to college with swore by the clean, boyish look. It could be that as a woman gets older, she begins to lean in favor of a more manly look. With exception to so-called cougars, it seems most women don't want a partner who looks, say, ten years her junior. Facial hair, after all, makes men look older and more mature. My wife has told me countless times that she prefers I leave my goatee. She actually whines each time I shave it off, but I remind her she need only wait a couple of days for most of it to grow back. I liken this preference to men who prefer that women have long hair. In case you didn't know, most of us do, as it makes women look more feminine. If you haven't noticed, actors who ...

When Kiran Gandhi realized she was going to be on her period on the day of her first-ever marathon, she decided to do something that has left some people in utter shock: She opted to run the entire race while free bleeding. The 26-year-old spent a year training for the London Marathon, which took place Sunday, April 24. She said she chose to nix the tampon because she wanted to highlight how women are often shamed for having their period. I understand her wanting to make a statement, but here's a guy's take on the matter: I think it was unnecessary. After reading several of my posts, I'm sure you've noticed me to be very pro-women's rights. Truthfully, though, I don't respect this woman any more for doing something like this than I would if she'd simply led a protest or written a book on the issue. Some things are really best left unseen, and I just think she went a little overboard. I've never heard of anyone -- neither someone I know nor anyone i...

I can't help but notice how some women seem intent on upstaging each other on Facebook. What was once a platform for merely catching up with buddies has become an outlet for posting more selfies, pictures of children, or photos of vacations than one's friends -- and getting as many "likes" for them as possible. You might be wondering why the title mentions only women. It's because, from what I've observed, men seem a little more Facebook shy. I hardly see my male friends post anything other than humorous pictures ("memes") and videos. If I do happen to see them in pictures or videos, it's usually their wives or girlfriends doing the posting. In other words, it appears that women generally make the Facebook experience much more personal than men, as if they desire more attention and validation from others. They seem to be far more showy, with posts showcasing new dresses, jewelry, or their kids' diplomas. I'm not saying that all wome...

How many times have you gone into a store and seen signs that say something along these lines: "Supplies running fast!" "Buy them before they're gone!" "Only 5 left!" "Sale ends soon!" Now, be honest: How many times did you go through with the purchase because you believed what the signage said to be true? Yep, even I've fallen for it myself, and I actually majored in marketing and minored in psychology! In marketing and consumer psychology, it's what we call the scarcity principle : Consumers attach more value to things that are few in quantity and thus feel more compelled to purchase such items. But this isn't limited to brick-and-mortar stores -- companies also use this marketing tactic online. Take Amazon.com. At some point, you're bound to come across an item whose description includes "Only 3 left in stock. Order soon." Companies seldom run out of inventory, unless we're talking about much...

In keeping with this week's central theme of remembering the past, I thought it'd be fun for us to share stories about our first kiss and/or crush. I'm sure most of us remember the first person we kissed or took a romantic interest in. If you think about it, a first kiss is a milestone moment in one's life, and one's first "relationship" in childhood signals a yearning to connect -- for the very first time -- with someone of the opposite sex on a more intimate level than you would your friends. The first girl I kissed was a girl named Doris whom I sat next to in Kindergarten class. The funniest part? It happened during a game of Truth or Dare. Yes, even kids that age were playing that. (I can't imagine the things they might be doing in 2015!) I met my first crush, Helene, in the third grade. She claimed to be interested in me, and it showed. I spent my days either looking at or thinking about her. But I couldn't work up the nerve to ask her t...

Most of us would agree that this is an exciting time to be alive. It's the digital age -- one governed by such corporate heavyweights as Apple and Samsung. To be sure, technology is the name of the game in the 21st century. Everyone and his brother has a smart phone or tablet. It's simple, quick, and convenient to find whatever it is you want on the internet -- be it a song, movie, or information for a research paper. Still, it seems many of us can't help but reflect on a much simpler time in our lives -- our childhood -- where we took pleasure in the smallest things. From reading a book to playing tag outside with friends, we had little difficulty finding ways to entertain ourselves. It can certainly be argued that technology makes life a whole lot easier. No need to walk to the library to buy a book or do research. No need to tune into the local radio station to listen to a popular song. The internet can facilitate practically anything these days. So why would som...

In many relationships, partners are particularly finicky about how much they feel their partner should weigh. As someone who prefers curvier women, I'll admit that I've told my wife I prefer she not get too skinny . But it seems most women (and men, for that matter) have the opposite dilemma: their partners insist that they keep their weight at or below a certain threshold. Notice how I used the word "prefer" above when referring to my wife's weight. If she chooses to lose more than I'd like, that's really her decision. I won't love her any less for it. If she were to gain weight, I'd still love her just the same. I would never put pressure on her to cater to my preferences. I might only become more emphatic in my desire that she gain or lose weight if I see her going too far in one direction. When health becomes a serious concern, that's when I'll make sure she hears me loud and clear. I think it's perfectly normal for our part...

When you ask people what they might use to reminisce about the past, most will point to pictures they might have stashed away in their attic or garage. But I think music and movies can also serve to take us back in time, both of which are pretty easy to retrieve nowadays via the internet. Whenever I watch movies or listen to songs from my childhood, it transports me back to the time they were originally released. I ask myself questions like: How old was I when this song or movie was out? Did I watch the movie in the theater? Was I with my parents? With friends? Where would the song be played? On the radio? At school dances? Who else around me liked it? I realize some people might regard those details as minutiae, especially those who couldn't care less about the past or for one reason or another wish to put it behind them.  Another reason why I am so fond of music and movies from those years? I find them to be superior to the ones of today.  It seems the cont...

Per a paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Consumer Psychology titled ""Wetting the Bed at Twenty-One: Embarrassment as a Private Emotion," people can feel just as embarrassed buying sensitive products in person as they would online. This seems to go against common knowledge, doesn't it? You'd think that people would feel less sheepish buying condoms, home test kits, tampons, and Viagra privately and online, but the study finds that not to be the case. Apparently, the mere act of purchasing the item causes consumers to judge themselves. When the purchase is made at the store, we can at least walk out and remove ourselves from the very context in which the "act" was committed. While the study found that the negative feelings associated with in-store purchases gradually dissipated, the intensity of embarrassment felt when buying the products online did not lessen. If you think about it, embarrassment is a powerful emotion. It's potent en...

With all the rewards that sex has to offer, it's no surprise most of us are inclined to get as much of it as we can. It feels really good, it's free (assuming it's between you and your partner, of course), and, most important, it can be the key to a healthier, longer life. According to WebMD, the myriad benefits of sex include: 1. Boosting your libido 2. Lowering blood pressure 3. Helping keep your immune system working properly 4. Improving women's bladder control 5. Lowering heart attack risk 6. Lessening pain 7. Serving as good exercise 8. Improving sleep 9. Reducing men's chances of getting prostate cancer 10. Easing stress The health benefits associated with sex are well documented. Not only do sex and intimacy boost your happiness and self-esteem, they reduce anxiety and induce feelings of relaxation. Being that sexual intercourse can result in the conception of a child, it is arguably the most intimate thing you can do with another person. I...

As cliché as it may sound, I have found this maxim to be true: "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Granted, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes that ultimately serve as valuable learning experiences. What's more, some of us plan and still end up with less-than-desirable outcomes. But far too many of my friends have wound up in difficult situations -- from grappling with poor career choices to navigating tumultuous relationships -- that could have been avoided had they only planned ahead. Here are a couple of reasons why we might fail to plan our decisions carefully: We're impulsive : We act in the moment without carefully considering the consequences beforehand. We're lazy : There's a reason why psychologists have dubbed human beings "cognitive misers." Naturally, we try to expend as few mental resources as possible. We're emotional: Whether we're happy or angry, our emotions often get in the way of reason, leading us...

A recent study finds that people -- teenagers in particular -- prefer forging and keeping friendships online to doing so in an offline setting. If this doesn't signal that we're living in an almost-purely digital age, I don't know what does. It won't be long before "old school" forms of communication -- writing letters, making phone calls even -- become entirely obsolete. But does this indicate that we, as a society, are becoming more introverted? I don't think so. What it means is that as technology continues to become more advanced, we only become lazier. People want things yesterday. As we become busier, we rely more on technology to get things done as quickly as possible. Buy groceries through Amazon.com and have them delivered to us? Check. Watch movies at home via Netflix without having to set foot in the theater? Check. Set up doctor's appointments online? Done. When it comes to friendships, the internet offers the opportunity to...

What's the key reason why Donald Trump mania is sweeping the nation? For one, the real estate mogul and Republican presidential candidate has a larger-than-life personality. Yes, he's arrogant. Yes, he's bombastic. Yes, he speaks his mind and doesn't apologize for it. You'd think this would be the recipe for a catastrophic campaign, but Donald Trump is leading in the polls -- and it isn't even close right now. Why has he had so much success? People credit him with being the only one with enough bravado to voice what's on his and every other candidate's mind. As an outsider from the world of business, he's appealed to people who are sick of politics getting in the way of progress on Capitol Hill. It goes without saying that Trump's flamboyance has allowed him to easily overshadow his more sedate opponents. Watching last night's debate, you got the feeling that guys like Rand Paul and Chris Christie strove to show that they, too, coul...

Did you watch the Republican Presidential Debate last night? It made for entertainment television, that's for sure. Here were a few of my observations: The FOX moderators came out swinging, and they especially put Donald Trump on the spot. Some people think the barrage of tough questions asked of Trump signal that right-leaning FOX News is leading the charge to undermine his campaign. The only issue is that Trump could not rule out running as a 3rd party candidate if he were to not win the nomination. If that ends up happening, it'll split the Republican vote, effectively handing the campaign to the Democratic nominee (presumably Hillary Clinton).  Wouldn't it be something if Trump were in cahoots with one of the parties? I keep thinking whether his entry into the presidential race is part of a furtive scheme concocted with the Democrats to split the vote and get Hillary into the Oval Office. After all, Trump, a former Democrat, was known to cozy up with the Clintons....

Today's quote comes from Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), principal leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India: "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - Gandhi Gandhi's quote is quite simple. If you think you're smart and capable of great things, that's exactly what you'll do. If you think you're not deserving of all the rewards that come from hard work, you won't get them. We are masters of our own destiny, and our lot in life is largely psychological. If you remain positive even in the face of life's toughest challenges -- if you refuse to give up -- you'll eventually prevail. However, if you allow only negative thoughts to pervade your mind, all that will do is induce negative situations. It is then you can become a prisoner of your own mind. Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your conse...