Decision-making styles and models
Are you tired of the same old decision-making information remodeled and re-packaged again and again? If so, read on because we’re about to examine different decision-making models and uncover the secrets of making good choices. Special Operations units employ a variety of models outlined in Mark Divine’s insightful book “The Way of the SEAL” and…
A Boomer’s misadventures in today’s social wilderness
In this fast-paced digital age, where technological advancements are reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace, one demographic is left feeling both intrigued and bewildered. Enter the Baby Boomers, who find themselves trying to navigate the diverse cultures and values of the Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z in the stormy seas of today’s “rageisphere.”…
Admit nothing, deny everything, make counter-accusations
And when all else fails, just flat out lie! The title of this post sums up Russian domestic and foreign policy today. “Never believe anything until the Kremlin denies it, especially if Lavrov said it,” is another accurate description. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are masters of deception, and both…
Mindful is the frogman: finding calm amidst the chaos
Internationally recognized couples therapist, speaker and author, Terrence Real, says, “Every man is a bridge, spanning the legacy he inherited and the legacy he passes on.” I want my legacy to be good, but it won’t be unless I pay attention to a critical part of me. And it’s not my physical activity, nutrition or…
Confessions of a Permanent Mission Control Officer
On the evening of my departure from my second tour at the Civilian Observers Unit (COU), which is part of the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO), I gave a satirical farewell speech (after numerous adult beverages) to my COU colleagues. It was a tongue-in-cheek account of my time as a Permanent Mission Control Officer (PMCO)…
“Old age ain’t no place for sissies!”
Let’s get something straight right up front. We’re all getting older. And if you don’t believe that, you’re definitely in denial. And “denial” ain’t a river in Egypt. The years keep flowing by like water over a broken dam. And I’m glad they do because aging sure beats the alternative. Old age is often called…
Make your anxiety work for you
In today’s world, anxiety is an epidemic. The mere mention of the word is enough to send many people spiraling into a panic. But what if we told you that anxiety isn’t always the enemy? What if we told you that anxiety can be a powerful tool for growth and transformation? That’s the message of…
Thoughts from the front lines of life
Welcome to a journey through the mind of this seasoned observer of life’s front lines. As I sit here sipping on my prune juice and reminiscing about the days of rotary phones, 8-track tapes, VCRs, muscle cars, cassette tapes and black-and-white television, I can’t help but chuckle at the state of our society today. It’s…
The spy in your smartphone
Are you addicted to your smartphone? Do you spend hours every day talking, scrolling through social media, checking your email and playing games, not to mention swiping left or right on Tinder? If so, you might want to think twice about what’s really going on inside that little device. Because while you’re busy swiping and…
Spy games: covert capers around the world
“They” do it, and “we” do it. Just about everyone does it. When I was posted to Embassy Stockholm, I was told the Swedish security services would likely “monitor” my actions until they were convinced I was doing only the work my position entailed. But wait! Aren’t Sweden and the US allies? Correct, but today’s…