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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 […]

Within the history and structures of Western academic thought emerge certain lines of demarcation. We cluster our collective learning and knowledge under the Arts and the Sciences. (I could add, were I inclined, the Letters, by which I mean literature and scholarly writing in the humanities — not just creative works, but the broader intellectual […]

Building Your Power of Expression Censorious, adj. Pronunciation: senˈsôrēəs Meaning: We hear this word used often in the media – especially conservative media (such as talk radio, one of the few mediums dominated by conservative thought). When used in such settings, it is usually in reference to accusations of censorship of conservatives by Leftists. While […]

I credit RM for reminding me of some important truths. He called me the other day seeking my advice on a matter he was struggling with. During the course of that conversation, wherein I gave him brilliant advice, the conversation turned to some things I was struggling with myself. I’m a deal-maker at heart. Very […]

In a 1973 essay, “Utopianism, Ancient and Modern,” commentator Irving Kristol touched upon the conservative indifference to the claims of culture. “For two centuries,” he wrote, the very important people who managed the affairs of this society could not believe in the importance of ideas—until one day they were shocked to discover that their children, […]

I have been a participant in many conversations over the last year about relationships. I’m talking about male-female romantic relationships. Many of these conversations have involved current or former college students of mind. Many others have involved peers of mine. Sometimes the conversation involves a person who wants to be in a relationship with a […]

Building Your Power of Expression Pied, adj. Pronunciation: Pīd Meaning: Refers to having two (or more) differing colors, especially in blotches or patches. It is often used to describe animals, horses in particular. Birds, cats, and dogs are often the recipients of the adjective, although the term is not exclusive to animals. It can also […]

We all carry invisible weights. Some were handed to us by well-meaning parents, teachers, or peers. Others we quietly forged ourselves through failure, fear, or comparison. They are our limiting beliefs — quiet, persistent ideas that whisper, “You can’t,” “You shouldn’t,” or “You’ll never be enough.” But what if these beliefs are not truths, only […]

Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump declared that he and his supporters were “the party of common sense.” In his Inaugural Address on January 20, Trump returned to this theme. With his flurry of executive orders, he said, “We will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about […]

Many of us, myself included, have found that uncertainty is one of life’s great stressors. Few things make me more anxious than not knowing what comes next — whether it’s a relationship teetering on the edge, a career opportunity hanging in limbo, or the gnawing question of financial security. I, like so many others, crave […]

Building Your Power of Expression Reticent, adj. Pronunciation: ˈredəsənt Meaning: This word conveys a sense of hesitancy, of caution, or of being guarded in one’s expressions. To be reticent is to be reserved, or quiet, or reluctant to express oneself. A reticent person tends to avoid speaking freely or to reveal much about themselves. Such […]