Forty years after his tragic death, President John F. Kennedy continues to fascinate. A new JFK biography hit the bestseller lists. His relatives -- America's royalty to some -- are frequent newsmakers.  An intriguing facet of his legacy involves his decision-making procedures. Some brought great success, others colossal failure. In 1961, after...

Leadership can be lonely.  When you’re the mayor, people who talk to you very often want something from you. That’s why Portland, Oregon, Mayor Tom Potter was so surprised when one citizen – a prominent international figure – asked what he and his network of local leaders and activists could do for the mayor and the city. “In all...

What kinds of things disappoint you?" I once asked a friend out of curiosity. "Yuck! Don't ask me that!" she exclaimed. "I'd rather focus on the positive!" Disappointments can be quite painful, regardless of their magnitude. My friend Nancy1 terminated a long-term relationship in which she'd struggled for decades. Harsh words, bitter memories,...

Got lingering anger, stress or high blood pressure? You may need to forgive someone (or to be forgiven yourself). That's the conclusion of an increasing number of social scientists. Religion has long held that forgiveness is an important component of a fruitful life. A recent Christianity Today article outlined secular research that also supports...

Happy with your grocery bills these days?  Do those gasoline pump meters seem to whir like Vegas slot machines, except you never hit the jackpot? The two issues are not unrelated and they’re affecting pocketbooks and bellies at home and around the globe.  Some Westerners might react with detached shock to stories of food riots in places like...

Comedian Michael Richards—“Kramer” on TV’s Seinfeld—saw his racist tirade at African-American hecklers ignite a firestorm. Mel Gibson, whose earlier anti-Semitic rant made headlines, said he felt compassion for Richards.{1} Lots of people have dark sides. Maybe everyone. Maybe you. I do. Remember Susan Hawk? Her infamous diatribe...

Does the world still need a superhero? Watch out, bad guys, as Superman Returns … fighting movie villains, rescuing the imperiled, desiring Lois Lane (now a single mom), saving the world. The guy is everywhere. Superman’s promotional ties include Burger King, Duracell, got milk?, even a dating website. NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has a...