How we view our life determines our experience of life. The past two years are a good example. Two years ago, while gathered around the Christmas tree, we learned our first Grandchild would be arriving the following year. We were thrilled! For every yin, there is a yang. Ten days later, a medical emergency put … Continue reading “Half-Full”

A few years ago I was fortunate to have breakfast with an astronaut who flew a mission on the space shuttle. I remember being fearful of asking the same questions he’s been asked a thousand times, but I went ahead and asked them anyway. It was a fascinating conversation. When breakfast was over and … Continue reading “Photographs”

Yogi Berra famously said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Prior to retirement, my job involved anticipating the future. Generally speaking, our forecasts were no more sophisticated than projecting a continuation of current trends. Often this proved incorrect. The best-selling author and demographer Neil Howe says we are in the “4th turning,” … Continue reading “Beyond the “Fourth Turning””

Who would you say the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in athletics is? Many would vote for football star Tom Brady. He’s not the most likable guy, but at age 43, he’s still lighting up the scoreboard. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France seven times! It’s hard to deny his accomplishments and skill, despite … Continue reading “The GOAT”

Experienced poker players say that if you don’t know the patsy at the table, it’s you! It might be true! I pride myself on being open-minded; it was part of my training. Few people, however, look at both sides of an issue. Why bother when we know we are right? I am concerned about polarization … Continue reading “Mistaken Identity”

World leaders met in Glasgow last week to discuss actions to address climate change. I’d like to be optimistic, but there are economic realities to overcome! I studied economics in college. Unfortunately, much of what I learned is dangerously outdated, beginning with the extolled supremacy of market-based economies. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not … Continue reading “A Strange New World”

Discipline separates who we are from who we want to be. That may sound harsh, and a little old fashion, but that’s the way it is! I remember a story about an adoring fan meeting Itzhak Perlman. He told the great violinist that he would be willing to give his life to play like him. … Continue reading “Discipline”

I like to listen to podcasts when exercising. Recently, the American author George Saunders was on The Ezra Klien Show (highly recommended). The subject was kindness, and I have been thinking about their discussion ever since. Who deserves kindness? That may seem like a ridiculous question. Doesn’t everyone deserve kindness? Perhaps a better question would … Continue reading “Choose Kindness”

Recently I was in Wal*Mart, and the lady in front of me bought a whole stack of Powerball tickets. She paid cash. One shouldn’t judge others, but she didn’t look like she could afford her groceries. Someone wins the Powerball. Maybe it will be her. Except I once read that hitting the big payoff would … Continue reading “Little By Little”

I grew up in a devout Christian family. My parents held firm views on most things, especially when it came to religion. They believed there were two types of people in the world; believers and non-believers. Most of the families on our block regularly attended church. We didn’t associate with those who didn’t. The United … Continue reading “An Inside Job”

Most of us resist change. Given that change is constant, a better strategy would be to lean into it, but it’s hard to do. Friends that were better downhill skiers than me (most) encouraged me to lean forward and point my skis downhill. That’s exactly what I was trying to prevent. Fighting gravity, I … Continue reading “Change”

I have an embarrassing confession to make. At the risk of being canceled, I need to share that there is a little bit of W.C. Fields in me! The part I’m referring to concerns small children and dogs. Don’t get me wrong. I like animals. Cats are my favorite. A cat will walk into a … Continue reading “A Part Of Us”

I am becoming increasingly concerned about growing divisiveness in our country. The danger of sharing my thoughts on this matter is that it ignites further political vitriol. That’s the last thing I want to do. Setting ideology aside, is it possible we’re becoming unhinged because the fundamental operating premise of both political parties is wrong? … Continue reading “Zero-Sum Games”

I believe a life well-lived balances body, mind, and Spirit. But, what does that mean for people who do not hold Spiritual beliefs? Are they excluded? The meaning of Spirit is deeply personal. Recognizing that people hold diverse beliefs, I approach Spirit in a broadly inclusive context. This will fall short for some, but is … Continue reading “Angels Get A Better View”

I’m one of those people who finds math difficult. In grade school, I would rather add or multiply than subtract or divide. I had trouble understanding how to take away more than you have or divide something that is whole. That’s still true. It was difficult to avoid math in college. Strangely, I breezed through … Continue reading “The Mathematics of Life”

We are getting angrier. It’s evident in the media and in our streets. I feel it myself! Singer-songwriter Paul Thorn, wrote a song titled, “What the hell is going on?” I’d like to know! My buddy Tom claims much of the blame can be placed on Covid. He says it’s a crime against humanity. Not … Continue reading ““God Is Great, Beer Is Good, and People Are Crazy”*”

Recently I was listening to a Brene’ Brown podcast, and something she said caught my attention: “Fitting in is when we want to be a part of others… Belonging is when others want us to be a part of them.” I love the symmetry in that and began to wonder, which is better, to fit … Continue reading “Bad Self-Portraits”

Recently, I was reading the book John Adams by David McCullough. Evidently, in one of Adam’s many crossings to Europe, the ship leaked so profusely passengers had to bail water around the clock for the entire journey! What? I refuse to fly anything below “Comfort Plus.” I should be ashamed! I am descended from brave … Continue reading “Are We Getting Soft?”

When we purchased our cabin twenty-two years ago, there was a little white pine growing up in a shrub at the corner of the house. It was only about a foot tall. I thought it would look nice in the yard, so I carefully dug it out and transplanted it. Here’s a picture of it … Continue reading “The Best Time To Plant A Tree”

I am not a big talker. I find listening far more interesting. There is much to learn in deep listening, especially to ourselves. On several occasions in my life, unique experiences of peace directly preceded significant challenges, almost as if something beyond my understanding was saying, “Here is a gift. You are going to need … Continue reading “Spirit Already Knows”