Every time I hold office hours I am reminded that what most of us need is both a kick in the pants and a gentle nudge of encouragement.

When I was about 13 years old, my mother and I took a trip to New York City. The reason for the trip was so that my mother could check up on my father’s business partners in one of his latest ventu…

[Japanese Idioms by Flashcards] 良薬は口に苦し Teaches that one cannot expect to hear only good news in life. Sometimes, although painful, it is good medicine to taste the bitter truth. It is implicit in the statement that the speaker “cares enough” to speak with unusual candor. Sample text: (Style: spoken/casual/male) A: Itsumo kachoo kara komakaku chuui …

There are many strategies toward discipline or modification of different kinds of behaviors. When and how to use them is what makes the difference.