Category: Musings

Four Simple Rules for Success and Peace in Life and Work

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

In today’s fast-paced and quickly-changing world, finding a simple set of principles to navigate both life and work can be challenging. As Catholics, we are continually seeking ways to align our daily actions with our faith and moral principles. It is in this context that the “Four Simple Rules for Life and Work”, can serve us in business and life. These rules, though simple, hold profound implications for how we live our lives and conduct ourselves in our personal and professional endeavors. Let’s explore these rules and understand how they can lead us towards a more fulfilling and righteous path.

1. Be Where You’re Supposed to Be
The first rule calls for presence and punctuality, virtues deeply rooted in respect for others and the responsibilities entrusted to us. Being where you’re supposed to be is not merely about physical presence; it’s about being fully engaged and committed to the moment. For you and I, this means showing up for our families, our work, and our community, ready to contribute our best. It reflects the principle of stewardship, where we are called to manage our time and talents wisely, always mindful of the greater good.

A scriptural passage you might consider for meditation: Colossians 3:23-24.

2. Do What You’re Supposed to Do
This rule emphasizes the importance of duty and diligence. Doing what you’re supposed to do means fulfilling your obligations with integrity and effort, whether in your personal life or professional role. It’s a call to action that resonates with … Read the rest

Why Post the Hatemail?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

As I’ve mentioned before, I get a lot of hatemail, and occasionally threats. The threats don’t bother me because the dangerous people act, rather than threaten.

I post the best of the hatemail for several reasons, first, it’s entertainment. Secondly, it serves as a benchmark of sorts; whenever I am wondering if *I* am the crazy one, I re-read them for reference. Finally, it’s an act of charity, a sort of prod to repentance and conversion for the guilty parties. I hope that when the offenders see their words posted in public for all to see that their humiliation will move them to contrition and repentance.

So yesterday when I received a PM from one such offender asking me to remove his diatribe from my site, I was hopeful that there was some element of this tertiary reasoning at work.

Nope.

He called me the devil and claimed I supported abortion, then said he was contacting an attorney because my posting of his public comments amounted to defamation.

Page updated with the latest.… Read the rest

Arrogance and Ignorance

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

If you are unmarried and not a parent you should probably think twice about telling a husband of 25 years and father of 14 children that he’s doing everything wrong and doesn’t understand women and the formation of children.

I get it; you might be right about everything, and I might be wrong about everything, your distance and lack of experience may give you a clarity of understanding and a wisdom my intimate familiarity prevents, and my perpetual error may blind me to the reality such that I see good where only evil exists, and my errant perception of my success to date may in fact be delusion which turns what I perceive as virtuous fortitude into irrational stubbornness, but the odds very much lean towards your manifestation of the Dunning-Krueger Syndrome, or as one old friend of mine says, “Arrogance and ignorance are a lethal combination”.

… Read the rest

Misinformation Dominates the Media

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Those of you who don’t work in the media, or in PR or advertising are likely unaware of how carefully and strategically the news is planned, delivered and managed. Even those who have some sense of how misinformation, disinformation and simple ‘Fake News’ dominate the information we are exposed to lack the critical thinking abilities or the time to investigate and discern.

So just look at this meme and apply it to every story you read, hear or see, all the time, regardless of the source. If you approach these things with skepticism, especially where the ‘reporting’ involves accusations against a person or institution you’ll be right more often than not.… Read the rest

Schrödinger’s Sock

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

For more than 20 years I’ve wondered how my Wife manages to lose so many socks. It’s so bad, we have a large laundry basket overflowing with nothing but socks which have no match.

Think about that…it must be hundreds, perhaps thousands of orphan socks.

How does this happen? I mean, you take the socks from the basket, into the washer, then to the dryer, and then back out again. What’s so complicated about it?

Yesterday I did my own laundry for the first time in many years. I’ve been on the road for more than a week and it simply couldn’t be avoided.

I loaded the washing machine with two black t-shirts, three pair of black boxer shorts, two pair of navy dress socks, one pair of black dress socks and three pair of black athletic socks.

It’s a small load, so what could go wrong?

After I pulled the clothes out of the dryer, I found that I was short one navy dress sock and one black athletic sock.

Out of 12 socks, two were missing.

I checked the dryer, and then the washer, and then the area around the machine, and then the basket, and then the path from my room in the condo to the machines.

Nothing.

I guess when I get home tomorrow, I’ll check the bastard sock basket.… Read the rest