Do you love what is potential or what is real in yourself and others? "Potential" is a story we tell ourselves, a story about an imagined future (one of nearly an infinite number of possible futures). Can you love yourself and others for real, right here and now?

I just had my picture taken by a professional photographer, a new picture of me for my Web site (feel free to check it out). So the question came up for me -- can I love myself for real, right here and right now? Whew.

Happy Holidays. As you visit family and friends, remember that everyone gets to be who they are. And you, to the very best of your ability, get to appreciate them for who they are. Not for who they might be, or could be, or should be, or ought to be, or who you want them to be; but appreciate them for who they are. Dare I say love them for who they are?

It may well be true -- "all you need is love." Happy holidays.

Not only is the golden rule "challenging, enlightening, irritating, delightful, informative, funny, kind, hopeful, humbling, inspiring, and seemingly endless," as I said last week, but it is simple. It is unambiguous. It is clear. Either this is something I would like another to do, think, or feel towards me, or it isn't. Period.

Of course, simple, unambiguous, and clear are not necessarily synonyms for easy.

Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions and good wishes about my back. I was helped by your kind attention. My back is much better this week.

No Notes this week. I tripped over the cat and twisted my back, and I'm laid up. But let me just say that practicing the golden rule has been challenging, enlightening, irritating, delightful, informative, funny, kind, hopeful, humbling, inspiring, and seemingly endless.