What We Learn from Mirrors

Every semester I hold a special class for my students.  It’s special because it’s not about business, it’s about life.  It’s about taking a moment to talk about something more important than management, accounting, marketing, logistics, and ethics, it’s a class about them.  I teach in the college of business where I spend the majority of my classes teaching my kids the language of commerce and how to create a venture from nothing more than an idea.  One day each semester I devote entirely to them.  I metaphorically hold a mirror up to them and ask them to gaze into it deeply and study the person on the other side of the glass.

Monogamy is like the color yellow

When I start working with a new couple or individual around relationship concerns I often begin by asking them what their relationship goals are.  Most, but not all, will tell me that they are just looking for a nice, loving, monogamous relationship.  They say that like I am supposed to know what that means — and I don’t.  Not that I am clueless, but rather because I know that there is more than one meaning to the word monogamous. 

Thermometer vs Thermostat

I have had patient after patient come into my office talking about what a harsh and relentless winter this has been.  I can’t agree more!  It is always interesting to see how people talk about the weather.  There are two classic perspectives that get presented:  How cold it is on the thermometer and how much energy is being used by the thermostat.  What an interesting way to understand ourselves as well!