THIS WEEK’S THEME: DISCULPARSE

I used the Spanish word for apologize because I know so many are apology challenged and I didn’t want to scare those of you that are nonapologists  away from my blog.

I read an interesting article in the Sunday, June 28, 2015 New York Times by Laura Zigman.  The article was titled, Sorry – A Nonapologist’s Apology.

The article made some interesting points about people with fragile self-esteem preferring to offer explanations (aka excuses) to admitting they were  wrong and offering a sincere apology without an excuse.

I cover the topic of apologizing in Chapter 32 of my book, Apologize–Without Being Asked, and Never Ask for an Apology.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

This week’s recommendation is a book that I have possessed for over 20 years.  It is George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior.  It doesn’t really address the need to apologize; but given that the Fourth of July weekend just ended and it was written by George Washington when he was 14 years old, I think it says a lot more than what it actually says.

Copied out by hand as a young man aspiring to the status of Gentleman, the 110 precepts which make up this work were based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. The first English edition of these rules was available in Francis Hawkins’ Youths Behavior, or Decency in Conversation Amongst Men, which appeared in 1640, and it is from this work that George Washington seems to have copied. However much he may have simplified them, these precepts had a strong influence on Washington, who aimed to always live by them. The rules focus on self-respect and respect for others through details of etiquette and offer pointers on such issues as how to dress, walk, eat in public, and address one’s superiors. (Source: Amazon / Barnes & Nobles)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I found some great “apology” scenes, but I just didn’t feel the scene was worth the viewing of the entire movie, so instead I am going to apologize and recommend you watch one of the four Pirates of the Caribbean films.  Surely, there are some apologies somewhere in these films.  My favorite still being the first one, The Curse of the Black Pearl.  I understand a fifth film is to be released July 7, 2017; titled Dead Men Tell No Tails.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”

Source: Benjamin Franklin

THIS WEEK’S POLL 

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON USA RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

Over 50% of you believe the USA tries to be fair in its dealings with other countries, but makes many mistakes.  However, there is a sizable number of you (35%) that believe the USA is more interested in advancing its own interests than letting other countries follow their own course.

THIS WEEK’S JOKES

CONCLUSION

Since we are wrapping up the Fourth of July weekend here in the USA, I thought I would post a video of this year’s International Freedom Festival fireworks display on the Detroit River between Canada and the USA.

For those of you that have supported me by purchasing a copy of my book,  please do me another favor and let others know what you thought of it at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

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