The price of anything is the  amount of life you exchange for it. --- Thoreau About six years ago, a friend of mine was sitting in a restaurant with his wife in a small town in France and noticed that almost everyone in the restaurant was looking at their smartphone while they were having dinner. Then he noticed he and his wife were doing the same. When I told him I was writing a book on this subject, he asked, “Are you sure spending less time on the Internet and their smartphones is something people want to do? At the time, I didn’t know how to answer him. “It’s kind ..read more

When there’s not commitment, there's confusion.--- M. Scott Peck Commitment is not for everyone. I didn’t think it was for me for the first forty years of my life. I was never able to “think” my way into it. The mind can come up with reasons to support just about anything, which in my case included a dystopian view of marriage and an inability to confront inner demons. I was only able to commit to marriage once my love for my (now) wife became stronger than my fear. I wish I could tell you exactly how it happened; the only savior I can point to is empathy. After being apart for a year-and-a ..read more

Life requires you to learn and then balance two foundational skills: how to choose how you want to live, and how to live with what you choose.--- Anthony Silard About ten years ago, I was wrestling with my inner demons about commitment and went on a walk along the Potomac River outside of Washington, DC with a close family friend who had been married to his wife for over forty years. “How have you managed it,” I asked him. Robert looked at the turbulent rapids and thought for a while. Then he said, “I think the best advice I ever received was from my aunt, while I was fixing my tuxedo just be ..read more

Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.--- May Sarton Loneliness has become the suffering of our generation. Yet it’s important to note that loneliness and solitude are not the same. Another way to think about it is that social isolation is objective: if you are physically alone, you are isolated. Loneliness or solitude, however, are subjective. They are emotional states that emerge from how you perceive your social isolation. Just as one person’s trash is another’s treasure, two people can each be physically alone and one can experience a devastating rejectio ..read more

“I’m putting my trust in renowned keynote speaker and workshop leader Anthony Silard to help me learn the rules of some rather complex games, this one called ‘life’ in particular.” - Marshall Goldsmith, author of the New York Times best sellers, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There You are invited to our Compassionate Communication Workshop tomorrow, May 4th, 2019 in Claremont, CA. This is a donation-based event whose proceeds go to foster youth leadership programs in San Bernardino. Our facilitator Dr. Silard has taught the art of communication to hundreds of thousands of execut ..read more

“Anthony’s mini-workshop was outstanding! The explanations were clear and accessible, his presence was both humble and strong, and the process introduced worked very well. The concepts introduced have great value at every level of communication. We had nearly 30 people show up (an unusually large crowd)—a demonstration not only of trust in him, but also a strongly-felt need for...less hurtful communication. I am so impressed with what he has done, and with the humble generosity of his heart." - Steven Smith, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy,    Claremont McKenna College You are invited to ..read more

A Harvard study found that 85% of a leader’s success is attributable to personal character. Leadership—whether personal or organizational—hinges on the development of character. Anthony Silard, Ph.D. defines leadership as “the capacity to develop multiple key relationships toward a common purpose.” Anthony Silard, Ph.D. has taught the art of communication to over hundreds of thousands of executives over the past 25+ years. He has developed an interactive and engaging model that creates a simulated environment and enables anyone to work through their most sensitive issues with the people they ..read more

Man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.---  Saint AugustineSocial media has, strangely, created its own demand. By isolating you from your friends, your loneliness becomes greater and you feel more motivated by what the British psychologist Pamela Qualter calls the “reaffiliation motive” to check your social media and see what your friends are doing. In some ways, social media is like calling the delivery number of a pizza franchise in your neighborhood. The more frequently you order, the fatter and less capable of walking outside to a grocery store or res ..read more

A Cigna study released in April of last year found that approximately 50 percent of Americans are lonely. We now spend less time outside interacting with others in our community and more time isolated indoors behind a screen. Psychologist Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and others have found that the suicide rate and depression have skyrocketed while self-esteem is at an all-time low. Are you craving connection with your community? Do you need a change in your communication style?You are invited to our Compassionate Communication Workshop on May 4th, 2019 in Claremont, CA. This is ..read more

Facebook, Twitter, email, texts… We are in contact with many, yet connected with very few. How are these social trends affecting you? Are your relationships missing a heart connection? You are invited to our Compassionate Communication Workshop, a donation-based event whose proceeds go to foster youth leadership programs in San Bernardino.  Whether you want to work on your personal relationships, better understand your own motivations and relationship needs, or are a professional wanting to connect with your coworkers and clients more compassionately, all are welcome to join our group and a ..read more