Author Archives: Jim Gleason

We went to Costco today, along with a hundred of our closest friends. I am not usually tempted to buy things that I don’t need right away. That’s not the problem. The problem is that things that I do buy there seemingly last forever. We have to buy the bulk sizes and there are justContinue reading “Costco”

What determines the level of commitment that we have to some project or cause? I may serve a cause for a short time with minimal effort. Or I can give considerable work over an extended time for another project. What accounts for the difference? In my case, and maybe yours, the degree of passion IContinue reading “Commitment”

I am not a polished public speaker. The words that I use are often incorrect. I speak in a monotone. I don’t have any particular flair or charisma. Yet, I have spoken to audiences in China, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, India, Australia and the United States. Despite my obvious weaknesses, audiences seem to appreciate the messagesContinue reading “Right Words”

We lived in Nepal for eight years. Friends would come all the way there from time to time. Most people wanted to see the Himalayas. So we would take them up to the roof and they would look to the north. Many were initially disappointed that they couldn’t see the mountains. However, we would tellContinue reading “Where Can I Find Help?”

It is pretty sad that I consider as a sacrifice some of the things I do. I can give the smallest effort and be minimumly inconvenienced and still think that I have done something wonderful. Yesterday I spent less than an hour serving lunch to some teenagers. I walked away thinking how gracious I am.Continue reading “What a Sacrifice!”

It used to be said that a handshake was as good as your word. And your word was as good as any contract. We could depend on what a person said and that they would fulfill their promises. I remember a time when I was a child that my father had promised to take meContinue reading “Promise Keeper”

I am generally a good listener. I am a man of few words, so I don’t feel the need to talk a lot. That allows me to be engaged with what the other person is saying in a conversation. I am not constantly thinking about what I will say next. I am really just tryingContinue reading “The Art of Listening”

Actually, I know what I smell like most of the time. I smell like perspiration, unfortunately. I shower daily and use deodorant. But my body runs hot and I sweat profusely. That is not good. Other people are generally not attracted to that odor. In fact that smell repels people. Most people, including me, takeContinue reading “What Do We Smell Like?”

I was excited when I got up this morning. For the first time in a while the weather forecast called for the temperature to be in the 30s. I didn’t have to put on my overcoat and ski mask for my morning walk. Then I went outside and was a bit disappointed. The temperature wasContinue reading “Cold Wind”

What are you afraid to lose? Most people are afraid of death, losing their lives. Most people are also afraid of losing their personal property. They go to great lengths to protect it with security devices, lock boxes, etc. We can be afraid of losing our jobs, especially when the economy is weak or aContinue reading “Afraid to Lose”