“Help! The paranoids are after me!” - Mantra of the 1970’s

From “The Human Condition: A User’s Manual” by Arnold Kunst

7 October

When the loser enters a room he checks out all the exits and stands with his back to the wall because you never can tell.

When the winner enters a room everyone there comes to know that something significant just HAPPENED.

“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

From “The Human Condition: A User’s Manual,” by Arnold Kunst

6 October

One of the most significant factors going to produce the Industrial Revolution 250 years ago was the invention of the steam engine. And whoever has eyes to see knows that what works in the field of applied physics works in applied psychology: the persistent application of an energy source to inert matter stringently contained produces unbelievable power. Like the steam engine, you and I are meant to generate immense but contained power. But unlike the steam engine, you and I are meant to have fun along the way!

“In every major area of life you will win insofar as you know exactly where you’re going as well as how to get there. See to it that the lines are always clear.” - Arnold Kunst

From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst

October 7

“I believe I have the popular reputation of being a storyteller, but I do not deserve the name in its original sense, for it is not the story itself, but its purpose, or effect, that interests me... The sharpness of a refusal or the edge of a rebuke may be blunted by an appropriate story, so as to save wounded feeling and yet serve the purpose. No, I am not simply a storyteller, but storytelling as an emollient saves me much friction and distress.” - Abraham Lincoln

“When you develop the patience to do simple things perfectly, you will have acquired the skill to do difficult things easily.” - Anonymous

From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst

October 6

When one of his generals grumbled and complained after being placed in charge of a mere 3,000 men, Lincoln wired him: “Act well your part; therein all the honor lies. He who does something at the head of one regiment will eclipse him who does nothing at the head of a hundred.”

“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” - African Proverb

From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst

October 5

At one point early in 1861 Lincoln was told that his cabinet “will eat you up.” He laughed and replied, “they will be just as likely to eat each other up.”

“This news is so beautiful it’s frightening!” - Anonymous

From “The Human Condition: A User’s Manual,” by Arnold Kunst

5 October

Love begins with forgiveness. 

Everything up to the time forgiveness is required is just manners. It’s putting your best foot forward. It’s saying, “Please” when you want the salt. It’s not letting him see you without your face already on. It’s not letting her see you without your your stomach already tucked in. But sooner or later one of you is going to screw up, and we’re not talking Emily Post here. It’s one of the reasons you absolutely must devote lots and lots of time to courting this particular person. Somewhere along the line you must forgive/you must seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is nature’s way of taking out the emotional garbage in the very same way that rain is nature’s way of cleansing/irrigating.

Forgiveness is far more important than most of us realize because if the forgiveness thing is not a blip on our emotional radar, the emotional garbage continuously accumulates – and never leaves. She needs to know your love for her is as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. You need to know her love for you is more powerful than this or that fault.

All that is really, really important. And it centers around this irreducible point: 

Love begins with forgiveness.

“A strong man can handle a strong woman. A weak man will say she has an attitude.” - Anonymous

From “The Human Condition: A User’s Manual,” by Arnold Kunst

4 October

How to Handle a Woman. One Right Way: Put a post-it where only she will find it: “I’m glad you’re in my life.” [As an aside, if you’re not glad she’s in your life, why did you let her in in the first place? Who are you kidding?]