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Have you ever noticed that the most successful people seem to have a clarity about where they’re going—even before the rest of the world sees it? They carry within themselves a vision that guides their steps, fuels their persistence, and keeps them moving forward despite setbacks. This isn’t coincidental. It’s the power of visualization at […]

Here’s a primer on today’s political landscape. What does this singular noun, politics, really mean? At its core, politics is about how people live together in groups and make collective decisions, especially regarding power, resources, rights, and responsibilities. It is the process through which societies debate, decide, and implement rules and structures that shape how […]

It is interesting to note that there are scientists out there that try to measure the relative pain from various stings that we humans sometimes encounter. There’s even a famous Sting Pain Index called the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. It’s one of the strangest projects in entomology (i.e., the scientific study of insects). Created by […]

Building Your Power of Expression Abeyance, n. Pronunciation: əˈbāəns Meaning: A state of temporary inactivity, disuse, or suspension. Usage: ”Matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries. “After the manager resigned, the decision-making process fell into abeyance.” “Legal proceedings were kept in abeyance while both parties attempted to reach a settlement.”

Last Tuesday, I found myself reorganizing my spice rack. Alphabetically. Twice. I don’t even cook that much. But suddenly, alphabetizing paprika before parsley became a matter of national importance. Why? Because I was supposed to be writing this very article. If that little story feels uncomfortably familiar, congratulations—you and I are kin in the noble […]

In June 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a man who goes by the name of CeCe McDonald and who insists he is a woman, stabbed Dean Schmitz to death with a knife. In March 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, a woman who goes by the name of Aiden Hale and who insisted she was a man, walked […]

I put the title of this article in quotations because it is said in some circles that Winston Churchill once repeated those words 3 times (and only those words) in a speech he gave to a graduating class at Oxford University. Having read more than a half-dozen major biographies of Churchill, and never having seen […]

Building Your Power of Expression Dormant, adj. Pronunciation: ˈdôrmənt Meaning: Anything that is dormant is temporarily inactive. It could refer to a volcano that, while not currently active, could become active in the future. It could refer to seeds that are not growing at the moment but are still able to sprout under the right […]

Ever caught yourself saying, “I’m just not a math person” or “I’ll never be good at public speaking”? If so, congratulations—you may be in a long-term relationship with a fixed mindset. Don’t worry, though; many of us are. But like any relationship that’s gone stale, it may be time to break up and date something […]

One of the more interesting social phenomena in recent member involves a new mental disease affecting a significant percentage of the U.S. population. This mental-psychological contagion found its birth on June 16, 2015. What happened on June 16, 2015? That was the date Donald Trump, the New York Real Estate tycoon and star of the […]

Flying first class ain’t cheap. I almost never do it. However, a case could be made for doing so if one is traveling a very far distance and must arrive as fresh as is possible. Yet even in such cases, it’s anybody’s guess if forking out the extra money is worth it because the unknown […]

Building Your Power of Expression Affable, adj. Pronunciation: ˈafəb(ə)l Meaning: Refers to people who are good-natured, friendly, or easy to talk to. It is pleasant to interact with such persons. Usage: “He made for an affable and good-natured conversationalist.” “Her now affable nature was in stark contrast to her formerly surely disposition.” “For this job […]

This is a story about how good intentions can often bring unintended consequences. I needed a large amount of cash transferred from one financial institution (Fidelity) to another (Charles Schwab). And the need behind the transaction was time-sensitive. Fidelity promptly sent the money via check to my Post Office Box. And although the check arrived […]

So here is what we know at this stage of the game: various luminaries in the Obama Administration, including President Obama himself, appear to have manufactured the Russia-Collusion Hoax in order to try to destroy the candidacy of Donald Trump during the 2016 election, and/or destroy President Donald Trump after he won that election. In […]

One of the most memorable pieces of show music to come out of The Sound of Music was a song called My Favorite Things. The lyrics from the first three verses were captivating: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These […]

Building Your Power of Expression Inimitable, adj. Pronunciation: iˈnimədəb(ə)l Meaning: Things (or people) that are very unique can be said to be inimitable. The word points to something (or someone) who is so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy. A one-of-a-kind. . . Usage: “She was mesmerized by the inimitable ambiance of […]

This is a story all small business owners need to take to heart. I live in a quaint, cozy townhome. I love my home! It’s my fortress from the world. But I’m a very business professional, and I don’t always make time to clean it like I should. I live in a gated community. Members […]

By Gregg Jarrett Never before in American history has a departing president connived to sabotage and destroy the man who would replace him. Newly revealed documents show that in 2016 then-President Barack Obama and his national security team “manufactured and politicized” phony intelligence to help frame Donald Trump as a Russian asset when they knew […]

My profession (and my nature) finds me in the enviable position of being able to observe others, especially how others interact with those around them. It’s a great learning experience. Although I am a professional speaker, and thus, find myself now and then up on a platform in front of an audience, I realize it […]

Building Your Power of Expression Parochial, adj. Pronunciation: pəˈrōkēəl Meaning: Although this word usually refers to things relating to a church parish, it can also be used in a symbolic sense to mean having a limited, narrow outlook or scope. Usage: “His worldview seems incredibly naïve and parochial.” “How can a place be at once […]

In a world spinning faster each day—where productivity is prized, and burnout is common—managing stress isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival skill. But while many turn to time management hacks or mindfulness apps, a deeper, more sustainable key lies within us: emotional intelligence (EI). Emotional intelligence isn’t just about “being nice” or “keeping calm.” It’s […]

In the previous issue of Uncommon Sense (Issue #333), this column began with these words: “One thing is clear: There are two broad steams of thought in the United States of America today. These two streams of thought cannot be reconciled, which is ominous for that is what causes civil wars to occur.” President Donald […]

A lot of people are frightened by spiders. We even have a nursery rhyme perpetuating this fear: “Little Miss Muffet, Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider, and sat down beside her, and frightened little Miss Muffet away.” (Personally, I imagine it would have been the curds that would […]

Building Your Power of Expression Doppelgänger, n. Pronunciation: ˈdäpəlˌɡaNGər Meaning: Refers to an apparition or a double of a living person. It is usually a reference to a non-biologically related look-alike or double of a living person. The term comes from German, meaning “double walker.” In folklore and fiction, a doppelgänger is often considered a […]

There’s something almost sacred about the early hours of the day—the stillness, the fresh start, the open canvas. Yet for many, mornings are a mad dash: alarms snoozed one too many times, emails checked before eyes are fully open, coffee gulped down while multitasking. In our race to be productive, we often bypass one of […]

One thing is clear: There are two broad steams of thought in the United States of America today. These two streams of thought cannot be reconciled, which is ominous for that is what causes civil wars to occur. To put it simply, in the mid-19th Century, this country found itself home to two opposing streams […]

Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate our individual humanity. Birthdays are also a chance to celebrate the individual humanness of others we care about. Birthdays give us an annual moment to look deeply into the heart of someone and say how we feel about that person. Birthdays summon our deepest wellsprings of camaraderie and enable […]

Building Your Power of Expression Imperious, adj. Pronunciation: ˌimˈpirēəs Meaning: Ever hear someone say to someone else, “Who died and made you king?” The person on the receiving end of that barb was probably assuming power and authority without justification. Any time a person displays an arrogant posture or a demanding persona is probably behaving […]

In an age of relentless notifications, pop-up messages, and the never-ending ping of group chats, the ability to focus has become a superpower. The modern professional world often rewards speed, adaptability, and the appearance of busyness. But in the pursuit of doing everything at once, we’ve slowly forgotten the deep, transformative value of doing one […]

One of the hallmarks of Civilization is its absence of chatter. Clark is a gracious historical guide, but he does not go in for small talk. He is genial but also serious. An abundance of glorious music often commandeers the audio. Clark says his piece and then lets the camera pan slowly over the art, architecture, and […]