I'm doing some rehab for my injured shoulder. One exercise I do is to grab a PVC pipe with both hands. I have to struggle to hold on while my physical therapist jerks the pipe around. Why? It makes my shoulder stronger. We should welcome struggle in everything we do. Not because we like it, but because it makes us stronger. I struggle through disagreements with my wife. If I handle it the right way, it...

If you're Bethany Hamilton, you get back into the water with your attacker. One October morning, the 13-year-old surfer and her best friend went out to catch a few waves when a 14-foot tiger shark attacked. The vicious shark took her left arm, and nearly her life. Because of the love of her family, her sheer determination and unwavering faith, Bethany overcame all odds to become a champion surfer again. ...

The cleaning product, Formula 409 didn't get its name from the area code where it was developed. And it's not the birth date of the creator's daughter. Formula 409 got its name from perseverance. The two persistent scientists didn't get the formula right on the 101st, or even the 401st try. Only when they created the 409th formula were they satisfied that they'd created the ultimate cleaner. Perseverance pays off...

You make decisions every day—what to eat, what to wear, where to go. If you find yourself complaining…or frequently irritated, then make the decision to be content…to be satisfied with your circumstances in life. It's not hard, but it does take practice. Next time you think of what's wrong with your situation, stop! For instance, instead of complaining because you have to mow the lawn, be thankful that you...

OK…you're at a ball field and you notice a mom and daughter arriving for a game. For 10 minutes, Mom talks enthusiastically. She laughs, she jokes … but it's not with her daughter…it's with her friend…on the phone! Mom never makes eye contact with her daughter, never talks with her or encourages her before the big game. Sound familiar? If so, take advantage of the time that you have with your kids. You never...

Your email has a feature that sends out a quick response to whoever's trying to contact you. That's fine for emails, but many of us carry that auto-reply mode into our daily conversations. Your kids ask you to play with them after work. Your auto reply is, "Not right now." Your spouse asks you to help with something around the house, without missing a beat, you reply, "I'm busy now. I'll do it later." Well,...

First, focus on the other person…open your posture, look them in the eyes, give them encouraging nods and acknowledging words. Second, summarize what they are saying. You might say something like, "So, what I hear you saying is such and such." Third, ask open-ended questions. Not questions that solicit just a yes or no answer. And don't use the word "why"... "why can't you…" "why didn't you…" "why aren't...