We all think, but may not think well. Critical thinking, however, is a reflective process that is clear, precise and purposeful.
“I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” …

In a study we conducted with high school freshmen and seniors from the Midwest, we found that humor and playfulness, along with curiosity and humility, were predictors of pleasure as a pathway to happiness. We also found that humor was highly endorsed by students. But humor can have a dark side. Several years ago, one of my students, Jason, was dismissed from an athletic team for showing disrespect to other players and the head coach with constant, sarcastic humor. [...]

“You must retain faith that you can prevail to greatness in the end, while retaining the discipline to confront the brutal facts of your current reality.” The Stockdale Paradox – Jim Collins

Do you have a memory of a teacher who really made a difference in your life? For me, it was Miss Robinson, my third grade teacher. I vividly remember one moment when she greeted me at the classroom doorway. She always had something nice to say to me, but that day was special.

The students were eager to take the class taught by Dr. Love. They knew the enrollment was limited, but they were determined to get a seat. No, this isn’t Tal-Ben Shahar’s Positive Psychology course at Harvard. It was 1972 at the University of Southern California and Leo Buscaglia was teaching Love 101, a unique way at looking at human love through the lens of sociology and psychology.

What are the foundations that help people awaken their dreams to make them a reality? Unfortunately, wishing has become magical thinking for so many people who have high expectations, but haven’t developed a strong will to develop a vision and a plan, and subsequently, are not able to cash in on the rewards of their aspirations.

What do you want more of? This is an important question in positive psychology circles. For me, the answer is more and better integration in my life. I find myself trying to balance a continual series of trade-offs between work and home. I want change, but behavior change is a finicky phenomenon. Sometimes, life presents conditions for a perfect storm of epiphany. The confluence of two recent events nudged me closer to cracking the “code of life integration.” [...]

I began my 33rd year of teaching this fall. The vibrant reflections of the following “educator’s affirmation” by Boston University School of Education professor Steve Tigner continue to resonate with me each day I walk into the classroom. Most teachers do not realize the scope of influence that they have on the students they serve.

Have you cracked the code yet? Have you figured out how your strengths get you more of what you want? A great example is the Culver Military Academy Class of 1956. In 2006 they celebrated their 50th reunion, one that set a record for the most attended by a 50th reunion class.

Louis J. Alloro is a consultant to schools in the area of character education. He has an intriguing perspective on making leadership come alive in organizations. I wanted him to share some of his thoughts this month.