Recently, I was reminded of the above saying as I had a choice in my response: angry, cynical, or playing dumb. That choice also relates to my blog Choose your battles wisely. Moreover, a 2013 article in Foreign Policy argued that "There are many more ways to be a fool than there are to be a genius". Perhaps, I would have used vinegar if there had been a time...
Vulnerability
Compensation
21 Jul, 2022
Last Friday, someone dared me to analyze him. I told him that he is an introvert compensating with extravert behaviour. He was very surprised by my analysis because no one had ever dared to describe him like that. He disliked the word "compensation" though. I told him that we all compensate. "In psychology, compensation is a strategy whereby one...
China: from pragmatism to ideology?
26 Apr, 2022
American ideological wars have confused non-Western countries, like China and Russia. America (and Europe) look weak and vulnerable in their perspective. This may explain Putin's "historical blunder" by invading Ukraine. As Aristotle already stated: "A common danger unites even the bitterest enemies". I am confused by the apparent transformation of successful...
Trust arrives on foot and leaves on horseback
15 Apr, 2022
My title above is an English translation of a saying by Dutch statesman Johan Rudolph Thorbecke (1798-1872): "Vertrouwen komt te voet en gaat te paard." His saying is valid on a micro or individual and on a macro or (inter-) national level. Trust can be restored though, albeit neither blind nor full. I suppose our doubt and our fear, for renewed betrayal of our...
The 7 elements that define the type of relationship
13 Apr, 2022
Last Friday, I had an epiphany. In my 2015 blog, I wrote about the 4 ingredients that constitute a relationship. My 2016 blog added another 3. My 2021 blog was a summary. These 7 ingredients define many (or all) types of relationships: communication, forgiveness, intimacy, respect, togetherness, trust and vulnerability. Any type of relationship starts - and ends -...
Gratitude
27 Jan, 2022
I never wrote about this topic before. That is weird as it's quite important to me: both in giving as in receiving. After checking my blogs, I found a few references but only in this context: do not expect gratitude. In general, I differentiate between the following five types of situations: family, friends, sports, study, work. Gratitude might be the most obvious...
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