It’s a blessing that we haven’t a clue. We like to think of life as an arrow in flight. We know where we’ve been, which presumably points toward where we are going. The problem is that’s usually wrong. The future doesn’t come from the past, and we forget to read the fine print. “Past performance … Continue reading “Where Are We Headed?”

Perhaps you are considering a winter vacation, maybe an escape from ice and snow or winter gloom to a glorious spot in the sun. Prior to retirement, most of my vacations were the one-week variety. They played out as follows: Saturday/Sunday: Pack up and leave; arrive, unpack, and settle in. Monday/Tuesday: Bask in the glory … Continue reading “The Sunday Rule”

We are awash in information. Insight, on the other hand, is a much rarer commodity. I recently finished Martin Gurri’s book The Revolt of the Public. Gurri claims we are living through the early stages of a seismic shift in the balance of power that will transform society as we know it. That got my … Continue reading “The Revolt of the Public”

This is my 200th post on Towards A Life Well-Lived. I started this blog when the pandemic hit, never imagining it would become a regular fixture in my life. Thanks for accompanying me on this journey! —————————————————————— When I was in grade school, summer vacations lasted forever. When school ended in early June, we couldn’t … Continue reading “The Time of Our Lives”

“When silence is a choice, it is an unnerving presence.” -Terry Tempest Williams Do you find silence unnerving? Does it make you feel anxious, stir-crazy, or unsettled? If so, you are not alone. Extended silence is formidable because it brings us face-to-face with our inner Selves. The ego is a mirage that protects us from … Continue reading “The Silence of Being”

I try to keep up with current events. It’s not as much fun as it used to be. We face some significant challenges. Worse yet, I have little faith that our leaders will do much to address them beyond posturing and blaming. It’s an election year, which brings to mind my favorite Who song, Won’t … Continue reading “Brighter Days”

Note: this post runs longer than usual; it’s about a 6-minute read ———————————————————— One should not underestimate how assumptions and certainties govern our lives. That’s one of the conclusions I drew from reading White Holes by theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli. I’ll attempt to summarize this fascinating book and offer some conclusions below. White Holes, … Continue reading “The Beauty of Uncertainty”

This is the final of three posts in a series inspired by the Irish poet, philosopher, and Priest John O’Donohue. ————————————— Many of us have made our world so familiar we dont see it anymore. A good question to ask yourself tonight is, What did I really see today? -John O’Donohue When our oldest son … Continue reading “What Did You Really See Today?”

This is the second of three posts in a series inspired by the Irish poet, author, and Priest John O’Donohue. ————————————————— I love sound. My Walter Mitty job would be a sound engineer in a recording studio. I briefly considered the profession until I learned of the math involved. Instead, I became an audiophile. Over … Continue reading “Silence and Solitude”

I plan to welcome the new year with three posts inspired by the Irish poet, author, and Priest John O’Donohue. I begin today with, Nourishing the Soul. ———————————— “There is a voice within you that no one, not even you, has ever heard. Give yourself the opportunity of silence and begin to develop your listening … Continue reading “Nourishing the Soul”

“I would write poems whether anyone looked at them or not, but I hope someone will.” -May Sarton. Same here, and while I don’t formally market this blog, I would be honored if you forwarded posts to others who might enjoy them. —————————————————————— The beginning of a new year is a good time for personal … Continue reading “New Year’s Reflections and Course Corrections”

Deep within us is a life-force. We hold this soul-energy in our hearts, but it cannot be contained. Spirit shines through us, extending to others, even after we are gone. My departed buddy Doug captured its essence in song, rendering lyrics from sentiments expressed by the Sufi poet Hafiz: Even after all these years The … Continue reading “The Spirit of Christmas Revisited”

Note: This post runs longer than normal. It’s about a ten-minute read. ———————————————————— My father made a practice of committing meaningful quotes to memory. He referred to these as his mental treasure chest. The practice rubbed off on me. For years, I’ve saved meaningful quotes. In retrospect, the quotes I selected often follow a theme … Continue reading “Treasure Chest 2023”

Note: It’s still not too late to purchase my book as a gift for that hard to buy for person. You can use the link at the bottom of this post! ————————————————————- Juxtaposition is a crazy word; at least, I’ve always thought so. It means to place two or more things side by side, often … Continue reading “Holiday Juxtapositions”

Holiday Note: If you are struggling with gift ideas for that “hard to buy for” person, why not order a copy of my book? You can purchase a copy by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Proceeds donated to support individuals suffering with anxiety and/or depression —————————————————————– Have you played the New … Continue reading “Connections”

Note: This week’s post is going out early as a special message for Thanksgiving. ——————————— Amidst turkey, dressing, football, and Black Friday specials, I’m reflecting today on the meaning of Thanksgiving. Gathering around the table, there is much to be thankful for, including abundandt food, the company of loved ones, freedom, and our country’s relative … Continue reading “The Meaning of Thanksgiving”

This week, we welcomed a new granddaughter, Arlo Jeanne Poster, into our family. Baby and mom are healthy. We are thrilled! As I held Arlo in my arms, she stretched, yawned, and gazed back at me with unfocused eyes. The future belongs to this helpless new being. That gives me hope! Perhaps she arrived just … Continue reading “On Children”

Note: This post runs longer than normal. It’s about a ten-minute read. ————————————————————— In the mid-1980s, I attended an executive retreat featuring best-selling self-help author Richard Lieder. The theme of the meeting was the power of purpose. I was intrigued. I never put much thought into my life purpose. I was too busy. During a … Continue reading “The Secret Within”

Before retirement, I worked for a large company. The company had an exceptional track record for growing sales, earnings, and investor returns while providing attractive salaries and benefits to employees. Results were achieved by relying on expertise from specialized functions like marketing, sales, finance, and supply chain. At a “macro” level, we all benefited from … Continue reading “Beyond Disagreement and Conflict”

Consolations, by the poet David Whyte, is one of the most deeply evocative books I’ve read. In it, Whyte riffs on 52 common words in a most uncommon manner. I keep the book on a side table next to my writing chair. Occasionally, I open it to a random page and read what Whyte’s keen … Continue reading “No Regrets”