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Articles from Ronald Ross | Selfgrowth.com
- Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 2: Hedonism & Narcissism - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2020 from Ronald RossTwo destructive dogmas popular today are hedonism and narcissism. Hedonism is a socially destructive ethical theory that asserts pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. If you've heard someone whine, "But I just want to have fun," or, "I just want to be happy," they are ...
Views: 642 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 3 - by Submitted on Oct 01, 2020 from Ronald RossOpinionism and Stupidism Here are two "belief systems," Opinionism and Stupidism, that will not be found in any dictionary. I've defined these as belief systems out of seven decades of observation of humanity. It seems to me (my opinion) that there are two kinds of opinionism that are ...
Views: 581 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 4 Aloof-ism and Excuse-ism - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2020 from Ronald RossTwo extremes can invade your thought process and cause you to lose your battle with self and others. One says, “I don’t care,” and the other says, “It’s not my fault.” Aloof-ism is a word I created that refers to the mental and emotional escape route for any personal responsibility revealed ...
Views: 707 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 5 Perfectionism - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2020 from Ronald RossAs a kid, I was not too fond of report cards. My mother never saved a one (thankfully). Perfectionism is a never-ending, never good enough report card on who you are and what you do and say. It's "a personality trait characterized by high expectations and standards." (Psychology Today) ...
Views: 624 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 6 FATALISM - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2020 from Ronald RossSpanish soccer player David Silva said, "Winners don't believe in fate like others do. They simply can't accept defeat." Mr. Silva would agree that fatalism is a bad idea you must lose if you want to win. If you believe in fate, you will never do the work that must be done to succeed at ...
Views: 1106 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 7 FAILURE-ISM - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2020 from Ronald Ross"Failure-ism" is a word I invented to describe the belief that everything you do ultimately fails. You can recognize this flawed belief system in a person when they say things like, "I'm just a loser" and "Nothing I try ever works." Unfortunately, each of us has evidence to prove we fail. ...
Views: 1157 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 8 FUTILISM - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2020 from Ronald RossFutilism believes that life is meaningless, all religious beliefs are fantasies, and moral principles are pointless. Like nihilists, futilists allege that you have no particular purpose for living because life itself is empty, trivial, and spurious. It is literally a dead-end philosophy – life ...
Views: 886 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN - Part 9 Stuff-ism - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2020 from Ronald RossIf stuff-ism were a religion, the local self-storage rental facility would be the place of worship. In America today, there are 1.7 billion square feet of self-storage space for rent. Most of the sites run at a consistent 90% occupancy with an individual monthly fee of around $90. Why do ...
Views: 791 - Bad Belief Systems You Must Lose if You Want to WIN: Socialism - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2020 from Ronald RossYou've heard of such interesting words as magnetism, tourism, and individualism. Recently, I asked myself, "What precisely is an ism?" Dictionary.com had the answer: an –ism is a suffix added to the end of a word to indicate that the word represents a specific practice, system, or philosophy. ...
Views: 684 - Cancel All Holidays! - by Submitted on Dec 16, 2014 from Ronald RossAll holidays cause some insidious angst and distress in the hearts and lives of many people so I’m calling for their abolition. I’m not the first person to notice the evil of holidays. Several years ago some private school in New York decided to exclude the celebration for ...
Views: 1022 - Danger Ahead: Extreme Responses to Loneliness - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2014 from Ronald RossEveryone endures bouts of loneliness from time to time. They are usually short-lived because the causes are either social (broke up with their girl/boyfriend, got a divorce, had a fight with their best friend, etc.), or geographical (moved to another job, town, school, etc.). Mentally healthy ...
Views: 1043 - Evidences of the God Who Created You - by Submitted on Oct 13, 2014 from Ronald RossNinety-two percent of Americans believe in God. Why? Because the evidences of a Creator God are immediately available to anyone with an open mind willing to consider them. Evidence 1: The intricacy of creation. Have you noticed that it appears that nearly everything on earth has a purpose? ...
Views: 1008 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness - Part 1 - by Submitted on Aug 01, 2020 from Ronald RossFive Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness A six-part series of articles about improving your love relationship Part 1. The Phantom Speaks for All of Us Toward the end of The Phantom of the Opera, the Phantom finally captures his not-so-secret love Christine and takes her to his ...
Views: 642 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness - Part 2 - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2020 from Ronald RossPart 2. Mud Puddles and Patent Leather Shoes Or, “You’re not like me.” Innate Differences A handsome young couple with two children walked out of church just after a rainstorm left several puddles in the parking lot. Their 2-year-old son let go of his mother’s hand and went immediately for ...
Views: 740 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness - Part 4 - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2020 from Ronald Ross“We seem to be growing apart.” “Whatever happened between you and Sharon?” I asked Sharon’s ex-husband. "Oh, she’s moved back to Phoenix with her sister.” I remained silent to give my friend time to say more. He sighed heavily and said, “We just seemed to grow apart over the ...
Views: 781 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness: Part 3 - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2020 from Ronald RossPart Three: “Why do you act like that?” Lifetime experiences Education. How were you educated: homeschooled, private school, parochial school, or public school? How did your teachers and coaches treat you? Were you a part of the in-crowd or not? Was school easy or difficult for you? Who were ...
Views: 729 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness: Part 5 - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2020 from Ronald Ross“Everyone in your family is a _________.” Cultural/social differences “Ron, would you like to knock me up?” a rather shy single female British schoolteacher asked me one afternoon. I was puzzled by her request but sat quietly for a few moments until I figured out what she meant, and it wasn’t ...
Views: 919 - Five Forces That Hinder or Enhance Togetherness: Part 6 - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2020 from Ronald Ross"NO TRESPASSING.” Secreting of the true self: Fear, sin, low self-esteem, insecurities, etc. cause us to hide/protect our true self. My college roommate (who was raised by a single mom) and I shared many secrets. We were so close that we were the "Best Man" at each other's wedding. One day ...
Views: 753 - Five Levels of Friendships - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2014 from Ronald RossSmarmy quotes about friendship posted on Facebook walls do nothing to clarify the meaning of this serious human yearning. Friendship is experienced on at least five levels. Passing friendship is the first level. The interesting person you sit next to on a long flight or the stranger who assists ...
Views: 1563 - Five Quick Steps to Stronger Self-Confidence - by Submitted on May 31, 2014 from Ronald RossAwkward, shy, indecisive. Do those words describe you? Do you often interpret non critical comments as critical? Are you perpetually pessimistic about people, places and events? What you need is stronger self-confidence, a more honest sense of your own self-worth. Here are five quick steps ...
Views: 1009 - Five Realities of Loneliness And Five Actions You Can Take to Overcome It - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2014 from Ronald RossBarbra Streisand sang in her portrayal of Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl? “People who like people are the luckiest people in the world.” Notice she did not sing, “People who are liked by other people are the luckiest people in the world.” Yet that is what many lonely people think. Barbra’s lesson is: ...
Views: 883 - Four Cheap and Futile Ways to Acquire Confidence - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2014 from Ronald RossGoogle “self-confidence” and you will get three-bazillion web pages that suggest a variety of ways for you to gain self-confidence. Some promise instant self-confidence if you do this or act like that. Common sense tells you nothing as powerful as quiet self-confidence comes ...
Views: 899 - Four Good Reasons to Be Thankful - by Submitted on Nov 22, 2013 from Ronald RossBy Ron Ross Feasting, football games, and of course, Black Friday sales often bury the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I must confess that at our house during the Thanksgiving weekend we do feast, I watch a little football, and my wife does some shopping. But through it all we do take time to ...
Views: 836 - Garage Sale Tactics - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2014 from Ronald Ross“Garage Sale of Biblical Proportions” was the sign our neighbors (Jeff & Marie) erected to announce their garage sale last weekend. The wife and I figured this was a real can’t miss event, so we ambled over to see what goodies they had that we couldn’t live without. Fortunately, there was no ...
Views: 988 - How a Baby Changes People - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2015 from Ronald RossThe troubled marriage, parents who want their child to change, good people who want a good job, middle-class families who have too much month left at the end of their money, and seniors who worry about outliving their welcome and/or suffering some debilitating disease—they all want something to ...
Views: 940 - How a Baby Changes People – Part 2 - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2015 from Ronald RossThe innkeeper was changed from apathy to sympathy You probably know the story of the birth of Jesus, especially the part where “there was no place for them in the inn.” Though the Bible does not speak of an innkeeper, there must have been one. Someone had to tell Joseph the inn was full and ...
Views: 914 - How a Baby Changes People – Part 3 - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2016 from Ronald RossThe wise men were changed from wanderers to worshippers. For the record, the wise men did not come to the manger, as is usually depicted in Christmas pageants, but the Bible does say that some time after the birth, they came to the home of Jesus. Their visit is a part of the birth of Jesus, ...
Views: 874 - How to Enter the Friendship Zone and Have All the Friends You Want and Need - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2014 from Ronald RossLoneliness ends when friendship begins, right? So, how do you go from all alone to all the friends you want and need? The solution, though not quick and easy, begins with you, within your own heart and mind. Here are five steps you must take to enter the friendship zone and create and maintain ...
Views: 873 - How to Express Anger Without Getting Arrested - Part 2 - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2020 from Ronald RossThe best way to deal with anger (discussed in Part 1) is to learn how to effectively SPEAK OUT your anger without shouting, cursing, complaining, hiding, punching, seething, or running. Here’s how: S-P-E-A-K; it’s an acrostic for the appropriate expression of anger. S—SUPERVISE YOURSELF ...
Views: 699 - How to Express Your Anger Without Getting Arrested - Part 1 - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2020 from Ronald RossMy neighbor came charging across the street. His eyes bulged out, and his fists clenched as he came screaming into my yard, “Why the *&^%$ did you call the cops on me?” “Because you cannot keep your dogs from barking, and the entire neighborhood is fed up with it,” I said in as quiet a voice ...
Views: 758 - How to Get Some R-E-S-P-E-C-T - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2020 from Ronald RossAretha Franklin sings about it, Rodney Dangerfield complains he doesn’t get any at all, and the rest of us would appreciate a little more of that curious thing called respect. Some say that every human owes every other human a measure of respect. But are we obligated to respect everyone? ...
Views: 770 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - by Submitted on May 10, 2016 from Ronald RossA New Series Begins! By Dr. Ron Ross My mother nearly killed me during the summer before I entered the first grade. I really hadn’t done anything terribly wrong except to play in the back yard. Well maybe I did a little wrong – I played in the part of the back yard that Dad had just ...
Views: 959 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 10 - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2016 from Ronald RossDon’t Trust Dumb Luck By Dr. Ron Ross Are you lucky or unlucky? Do good things usually happen to you or are you a constant victim of trials and tribulations? Do you get the good breaks or are you always broke? If you want to be lucky then you might be interested to know that both ...
Views: 919 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 11 - by Submitted on Aug 01, 2016 from Ronald RossAvoid Trifling Conversation By Dr. Ron Ross The Ellen DeGeneres show was on the TV when I walked into a waiting room. I had to listen to it because, well, because it was on and I had to wait. I didn’t want to hear it so I did my best to tune out her inane conversation with some celebrity. ...
Views: 849 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 12 - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2016 from Ronald RossThink Possibilities By Dr. Ron Ross Born in Ireland in 1884, child prodigy William Thomson was enrolled in Glasgow University at age ten. He became an accomplished mathematician, astronomer, chemist, and physicist who made a significant contribution to the laying of the transatlantic cable ...
Views: 857 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 13 - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2016 from Ronald RossGet Better At Something By Dr. Ron Ross A man who worked in a rock quarry for several years one day decided to become an attorney. He talked to his wife and kids about his dream to get away from the dirty, backbreaking work in the quarry and get a college education. They got behind the ...
Views: 939 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 14 - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2016 from Ronald RossPut Your Best Face Forward By Dr. Ron Ross The first thing people notice about you is your face. Its expression tells others whether you are friend or foe, trustworthy or not, happy or sad, etc. It is the initial mode of nonverbal communication between you and other people. What does your ...
Views: 958 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 15 - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2016 from Ronald RossGet Rid of Impatience FAST! By Dr. Ron Ross Nearly every serious mistake I have made in my life (and I’ve made many) was the result of my restless desire for change and stimulation. My impatience has cost me good jobs, financial opportunities, professional advancement, and more. Most of ...
Views: 863 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 16 - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2016 from Ronald RossKeep Watch By Dr. Ron Ross The clock on my dashboard said 7:28, my watch said 7:31, and my cell phone said 7:33. I wondered out loud, “Am I going to be two minutes early or three minutes late?” I parked my car, grabbed my briefcase, and jogged toward the office building. As I ran, it ...
Views: 982 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 17 - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2016 from Ronald RossMake a List of Ten By Dr. Ron Ross Getting something done usually starts with a list. Wives make “honey-do-lists” for their husbands and “to-do” lists are a staple on every busy person’s desktop. Before you leave on your vacation you make a list of everything you want to take with ...
Views: 929 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 18 - by Submitted on Sep 19, 2016 from Ronald RossLearn the Laws of the Farmer By Dr. Ron Ross Over one hundred years ago my grandfather homesteaded on a quarter section of land near Deer Trail, Colorado. On his treeless high-prairie land about 50 miles east of Denver he built a sod hut for him and his horse, then planted a crop of pinto ...
Views: 948 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 19 - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2016 from Ronald RossThink About What You Think About By Dr. Ron Ross The trip to Santa Monica (California) Beach was supposed to be fun; but for this six-year-old boy from Colorado, it was not. I had never seen an ocean, did not know how to swim, and after I waded a few steps into the gentle waves discovered ...
Views: 910 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 2 - by Submitted on May 16, 2016 from Ronald RossLive With Purpose By Dr. Ron Ross Who am I and why am I here? Those are the two most important questions you can ask yourself. Question 1: Who am I? Some say you’re the product of a bit of slime that squirmed its way out of some prehistoric bog and evolved from this to that, then ...
Views: 919 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 20 - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2016 from Ronald RossHelp Someone Else By Dr. Ron Ross When you’re stuck in the mud you are totally focused on your own miserable situation. You pay little attention to the pain or despair of anyone else. You think you are the only person with a problem like this and that it is the worst that it could possibly ...
Views: 1000 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 21 - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2016 from Ronald RossFail Forward By Dr. Ron Ross You may be stuck in the mud because of some kind of failure. Perhaps you bet the family farm on a business idea and lost. Or maybe you lost an important client or you were recently fired from a good job. Maybe you have failed in a relationship that has you ...
Views: 897 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 22 - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2016 from Ronald RossTwenty Tips for Lively Living By Dr. Ron Ross The following are ten of the Twenty Tips for Lively Living. Next week the final ten tips! 1. Clear the cobwebs. Sure you have heartaches, bad experiences and grief, but so does everyone else. If you dwell on the dark side of life you’ll ...
Views: 1026 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 23 - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2016 from Ronald RossTwenty Tips for Lively Living By Dr. Ron Ross Tips 1 – 10 were previously printed; here are tips 11 – 20. Be sure to read the special offer at the end of the column. 11. Persevere. Difficulties are sure to come, some failure is likely, but anything worth having is worth working for. As ...
Views: 898 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 4 - by Submitted on May 30, 2016 from Ronald RossBegin Now By Ron Ross The easiest thing you can do if you’re stuck in the mud is to PROCRASTINATE! Do nothing. Just sit there and wallow in the sticky, putrid, dreary muck you have been comfortable in for years. After I earned my 4-year bachelor’s degree I wanted to get a master’s ...
Views: 882 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 5 - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2016 from Ronald RossFear Not By Ron Ross Belize is a small country located on the southern border of Mexico. My wife and I went there a few years ago to look at some land and buildings offered to us at a bargain price. We rented a car and drove to the property but once we saw it the reason for our trip was ...
Views: 982 - How to Wiggle Out of the Mud! - 6 - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2016 from Ronald RossIgnore Insults By Dr. Ron Ross There was a day when intelligent people could insult each other with some real class. The story is told that playwright George Bernard Shaw disliked Winston Churchill so he sent him an invitation to the opening night of his new play with this note: “I’m ...
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