My Grandmother lived in a small rural community in Southern Indiana. Letters to her were addressed; Grandma Coats, Pekin, Indiana 47165. No street address was needed. When visiting Grandma, everything would be found exactly as it had been. I can close my eyes and picture every item in her house. The only new thing Grandma …
Remembering Mom
My sister Janet is very thoughtful. Rather than Googling our Christmas gifts, she makes them by hand, often from childhood artifacts. This past year, she spent countless hours researching family records to make a book detailing the lives of our ancestors going back four generations. In addition to vital statistics, she included pictures and personal …
The Better Angels Of Our Nature
You probably recognize the title of this post. It's from the last line of Abraham Lincoln's 1st inaugural address, given on March 4, 1861. Lincoln began the final paragraph of that speech with: "I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends." The more things change, the more they remain the same. Is …
Time
I am fascinated by time. As strange as it may sound, I’m not sure I know what it is! My summer of 3rd grade was so vast that 4th grade wasn’t visible. And yet, three months pass in the blink of an eye. Einstein discovered time is relative. Assuming our perception of time relates to …
Reflections, Vol 6: How does perspective inform our lives?
This series poses questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. —————————————————————————— We live in a time where facts and truth are difficult to agree on. It really shouldn't be so hard. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Fact as: "Something that has actual existence" and Truth as "the body of real things, …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol 6: How does perspective inform our lives?"
Reflections, Vol. 5: How Might We Grow Younger In Spirit?
This series poses life-questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. ———————————————— How might we grow younger in spirit? I recently read that Clint Eastwood is 91. (Hold on, I'm going to need a moment). He's working on a new movie, and a reporter asked him where he found the energy …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol. 5: How Might We Grow Younger In Spirit?"
Reflections, Vol 4: Is Spirit Relevant In Our Modern Age?
This series poses questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. ————————————————— First, what is Spirit? Many define it in the context of a diety, which divides people into two camps, believers and non-believers. I find the division unnecessary. Spirit is an "in-betweenness" felt when deeply connected. People connect to …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol 4: Is Spirit Relevant In Our Modern Age?"
Reflections, Vol 3: What Is The Secret To A Happy Life?
This series poses life-questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. ———————————————— Most people are either happy, or they’re not. My Grandmother said she was born happy. Others are the opposite. It almost seems that happiness is a by-product of our internal wiring. There’s no shortage of books on happiness; Amazon …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol 3: What Is The Secret To A Happy Life?"
Reflections, Vol 2: How Can We find Peace In A Troubled World?
This series poses life-questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. Question: How can we find peace in a troubled world? ————————————— Last week, Apple notified me that my daily screen time was 3 hours and 10 minutes. A lot of that time was spent at this keyboard. You’d be surprised …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol 2: How Can We find Peace In A Troubled World?"
Reflections, Vol. 1: Does Life Have Meaning?
This series poses life-questions for personal reflection. My views are offered as a thought starter. Question: Does Life Have Meaning? ———————————————————— One of my favorite Jackson Browne songs is "For A Dancer." I'm going to borrow a portion of the last verse to frame my reflections. And somewhere between the time you arrive And the …
Continue reading "Reflections, Vol. 1: Does Life Have Meaning?"
Towards A Life Well-Lived 