One of the greatest compliments you can give another person is your complete attention.

“The meanest, most contemptible kind of praise is that which first speaks well of a man, and then qualifies it with a ‘but.’ ” 5 No matter how nice the comment is preceding the word “but,” the comment following it is what will be remembered.

When formulating questions around the operative words, remember to use how, what, when, where, is, do, and can, instead of why.

I am not responsible for solving everybody else’s problems.

For communication to be clear, it is important to remember this: If you need or want something, ask for it.

To practice the principle of validation takes so little time, yet it means so much.

Rule 1—LISTEN to what is being said and the events being related. Give your full attention to the person who is speaking. Rule 2—LISTEN to the feelings being expressed. Rule 3—LISTEN to the needs being expressed. Rule 4—UNDERSTAND by putting yourself in the other person’s shoes as best you can.

There is increasing scientific evidence that unresolved negative emotions depress our immune systems and cause us to be more vulnerable to many diseases and physical ailments. Therefore, it is important for us to recognize and appropriately deal with our own emotions and the emotions of others. When we fail to allow others to feel what they are

If ulcers are caused by a bacteria, as some research indicates, it is probable that our emotions suppress our ability to fight the bacteria, allowing the ulcer to grow.