I work with many businesspeople. At times, someone will tell me they just want to get rich, very rich. This reminds me of a piece in Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich, published in the 1930’s:

Here is where a BURNING DESIRE will come to your aid. If you truly DESIRE money so keenly that your desire is an obsession, you will have no difficulty in convincing yourself that you will acquire it. The object is to want money, and to become so determined to have it that you CONVINCE yourself you will have it.

James Altucher wrote an interesting article  about men and their wealth which included Joseph Heller’s insightful response about money.  The article said:

Throughout scripture we see the negative consequences that occur when people stray from biblical marriage. Economically, families are critical for society to progress. The family provides for the division of labor by dividing tasks. Ideally, a husband and wife divide up tasks based on the skills of each. Each family must decide who balances the checkbook, cooks, maintains the yard, cleans house and cares for the basic needs of children. While some roles tend to fall to males or females, the key principle is to decide who can do what task the best.  

The decline in the real estate market has wiped out value for millions of homeowners. Some estimate that 50% of homeowners are underwater; they owe more than their home is worth. Many are trapped; they can’t sell, move, or refinance. Short sales have become a popular way to get out from under a house.

A Denny’s restaurant in Belleville, Illinois made news when five plain clothes police detectives wearing badges were asked to leave the restaurant because a detective’s gun made a diner uncomfortable.

Establishments need to set and enforce reasonable policies. In Arizona, an establishment may post a “no firearms allowed” sign, which applies to those who have permits to carry a concealed weapon. Businesses should have the right to allow firearms on their premises or not. In the same way restaurants may post a no-shirt-no-shoes-no-service sign, they should be able to allow firearms on their premises or not.  Then, they must decide how to address policemen and their firearms. After the incident Denney’s apologized saying, ““Denny’s policy permits law enforcement officials to carry their firearms in the restaurant and we regret any misunderstanding.”

Often, the word “misunderstanding” is used to cover what is actually a mistake. The Denney’s manager asked the police officer to leave.  There was no misunderstanding.  It was a glaring error on the part of the manager. A better apology would have been, “We regret that our manager failed to apply our no firearms policy correctly.”

When I have followed up on a poor service complaint, I have been told, “Sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding.” My reply is that there was no misunderstanding.  I explain that they promised to deliver the order today, but did not. 

King Solomon wrote, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NIV) When we slip up, it is better to confess and make amends than to blame the problem on a “misunderstanding.”