When people get more frustrated by their indecision than by the situation that prompted it, clarity often follows.

For me, the greatest source of frustration was trying to work with a willful child when there was something else I wanted - say, to get the child to go to bed so I could have my own time. Just the promise of the time, and feeling that promise slip away, was enough to introduce a whole other element of stress into the encounter.

When people get more frustrated by their indecision than by the situation that prompted it, clarity often follows.

Your friends will need you, too, someday. Maybe not in the same way, maybe not in cash and shelter, but they'll need you - to listen without judging, to invite them over when they're lonely, to show up for their events, to register in whatever way matters to them that they matter to you. Be on the lookout for these opportunities to give back, and do whatever is in your power not to miss many of them.

We all make deals with ourselves when it comes to the difficult people in our lives.

First group impressions can mask a lot of individual variations in the members.

You can't make someone agree with you, not even when you're 100 percent sure you're right.