Congratulations! Some of you embraced the Frontier Word project and acquired new words that are now enjoying life in your lexicon. (A quick review of the Frontier Word project: A way to expand your vocabulary in which you are the one who chooses the words...
February is a good month for honoring friendliness. The advance of Valentine’s Day reminds us of warm feelings and sweet words and prompts us to reflect fondly on many of the people in our lives. What a good time to take advantage of that inclination...
Are we under attack? I don’t think we are, but apparently we’re really busy and have to move quickly. People “run out and grab a sandwich”, or they invite others to “grab some lunch” with them. Pause a moment for this visual. What’s happening in the...
Working, as I do, with a communication skills training company, I’ve learned the value of good communication. And being a dog, by ‘value’ I mean what’s in it for me. My needs are modest and pretty well known to my correspondents, so it...
At one time the standard response to expressions of gratitude was “You’re welcome.” This seems to have gone out of favor. Like many good, plain words and phrases, this one is frequently replaced by a variety of substitutes: “No problem” “Sure” “Yep” “That’s fine” “No worries” “It’s nothing” And the more...
Agnes suffered a reprimand from her boss. Angry and embarrassed, she spent her lunch date with Lonnie blasting her unfair, unreasonable, mean, and spiteful boss. Lonnie felt her pain, encouraged a dessert, and reminded her of her wonderful qualities. The next day she told Lonnie that...