Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves. ~ Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover's response to the Great Depression- a fiscally conservative approach that relied more on a call to confidence and …
Tag: greg hake
Is Charity a Moral Failure?
I read a fascinating article in the New York Times yesterday titled "Kindness of a Stranger that Still Resonates." The article described the kind and selfless acts of a successful businessman in the depths of the Great Depression during an era where charity was seen as a moral failure. The secret philanthropist, Samuel J. Stone, …
The Antidote to Premature Aging
A friend of mine told me that she was inspired by the example of others recently to start a new hobby. The hobby she chose, rowing, met several criteria for her as it was outdoors, involved opportunities for solitude as well as social time and provided exercise without physical exertion being the central focus. …
No when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em
I read an article yesterday morning that stood out to me as being a particularly clear example of how we as a society can end up pouring good money after bad, for an apparently good reason. We are on the verge of a health crisis. I'm not speaking of health care reform, but instead of …
The Winds and the Waves
We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided. ~ Alexander Hamilton As a small business owner and manager, I am faced with daily challenges that test my mettle, patience and resolve. Not a day goes by where I am free of the necessity of making decisions that affect the lives of …
Fathers of Invention
You may remember Eli Whitney as the inventor of the cotton gin, but there was so much more to him worth noting. Mr Whitney, born in Massachusetts and a 1792 graduate of Yale, was a father of invention. More common than you would think, fathers of invention are the minds and hands behind many of …
Managing Change without Judgment
It is not my usual custom to bang on sacred cows, but while we're on the topic of change and judgment, I thought I'd add another nickel to my earlier two cents. I'd like to look at why change is so difficult for people, but before I do so I feel it important to give …
Secret O’Life
While driving to vote this morning I heard a James Taylor song that I have only heard once before. Entitled "Secret O'Life", Taylor suggests that the secret of life is "enjoying the passage of time." A simple idea, to be sure, but one that eludes many people in their frenetic quest for happiness and satisfaction. …
Decorating Silence – The Power of Sound!
A friend sent me a fascinating link to a captivating TED talk given by Julian Treasure, chair of the Sound Agency, a firm that advises businesses on how to use sound. Just seven minutes long, the talk is sure to revitalize the way you relate to sound. Here it is: My sons never cease to …
Making Friends
Have you ever noticed how easily children make friends? I’m always impressed by their untempered ability to walk up to another child and say “I’m Jack, do you want to play?” Young children are especially facile in this regard, perhaps because they have yet to develop complexes, self-image issues, prejudices and bad habits. I have …
Gregory Hake 