Category Archives: Essays

After a loss, how can we love again? Life has a way of helping us to heal and go on. From the NYT: “A wedding lay just around the corner: my son’s. Major family events stir things up, the way … Continue reading →

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.” — Buddha  A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops. — John … Continue reading →

Death at age 84 can be peaceful and expected or sudden and tragic. Mom’s was the latter. She was in the ICU after having an abdominal aortic aneurysm repaired, a pretty major operation in this age group (many of these … Continue reading →

Should one be a stoic or be an epicurean – or are the philosophies of the “dead white guys” still relevant. Professor Massimo Pigliucci has written about his take on finding a happy life –  How to Be a Stoic: … Continue reading →

Several years ago, we went to an Easter service at the Bellevue First Presbyterian Church. The pastor shared a story as follows: Two neighbor ladies were quite friendly. One owned a pet rabbit, the other a golden retriever. One day, … Continue reading →

One thing I’ve learned in my travels is that most cultures of the world consider the pace of life in America with bewilderment. I’ve heard things such as “Are you happy working such long hours; do you ever see your … Continue reading →

From The Atlantic: “Larry Woods goes by the name “Mr. Sunshine,” and he shines shoes for a living. It wasn’t always this way, though. “Back in the 80s, I was made,” he reminisces on his previous wealth. “My head was … Continue reading →

Character, not circumstances, makes the man. — Booker T. Washington The moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point … a place where the unexpected becomes expected, where radical change is more than possibility. — Definition of “tipping point,” … Continue reading →

“Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.”— Jean-Paul Sartre  “In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” — Napoleon Bonaparte  “What’s past is prologue” wrote William Shakespeare “The pessimist sees difficulty in … Continue reading →

From Scott Simon on NPR: “There’s been a lot of death in the news these last few days, between Syria and several celebrities. As we close the year, we might recall some things said by some people we lost that … Continue reading →

Dawn Walk – Edward Hirsch Some nights when you’re asleep Deep under the covers, far away, Slowly curling yourself back Into a childhood no one Living will ever remember Now that your parents touch hands Under the ground As they … Continue reading →

If Only by Catherine Pulsifer If only every day Held the spirit of Christmas day To capture that feeling always Year round would be the best way If only every day We would be so kind To our fellow man … Continue reading →