Growing up, Nat King Cole—along with Johnny Mathis—was almost synonymous with Christmastime. I could hardly wait to pull the 33⅓ album from its sleeve and place it on the family console, letting the warm crackle announce the season. Maybe that’s why Nat King Cole recently crossed my mind. It is Christmastime, after […]
Isn’t it funny how simple observation can open the door to deeper reflection—and, if I’m attentive, to introspection? On my return from an all-too-brief visit with my daughter in Southern California, I was struck by the dense fog blanketing the Central Valley. The contrast between the world swallowed by that […]
It’s that time of year…again. For many—maybe most—it’s the season for trimming trees, swapping gifts, indulging in festive foods, watching bowl games and revisiting the nostalgic cartoons of our childhood. You can almost hear the soundtrack playing in the background: It’s beginning to look a lot like ChristmasEverywhere you goTake […]
Sale, sale, sale! Buy, buy, buy! It’s that time of year when the television seems packed with longer commercial breaks and the inbox fills with more ads than actual mail. Everything shouts the same message: Look! Want! Buy! It was ABBA who sang: Money, money, moneyMust be funnyIn the rich man’s […]
Travel can be tiring—really tiring. The packing. The journey to the airport and train stations. The shuffle through security. Boarding. Upright seatbacks. Cramped legroom. The long line for the (ugh) lavatory. Then you finally arrive—unpack, eat, try to sleep (not enough), get up, see this and that… and repeat. What I […]
“I’m kinda busy.”“I can’t right now.”“I’m sorry, but…” I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard—or said—some version of these words. Life has a way of getting in the way of life, doesn’t it? And before the standard defenses are offered, let me be clear: I truly understand that […]
Once again, life has taught me something about life—this time, somewhere around 35,000 feet. Anyone who’s traveled with kids knows the challenge. Their frontal lobes—those critical centers for reasoning and impulse control—are still under construction. So we hear the familiar refrains: “Are we there yet?”“I’m tired.”“Why can’t I have that?”And […]
Luck. Most of us have a working definition—some blend of randomness, chance, and timing. For many, it explains the great disparities in life. Why did she get the opportunity? Why did he end up with that burden? On the flip side, others see life soley through the lens of personal responsibility. Success or struggle is […]
The phrase “Never let a good crisis go to waste” is often attributed to Winston Churchill, believed to have been spoken during World War II, possibly around the time of the United Nations’ formation. It reflects his recognition that crises, while challenging, can also present opportunities for growth, reflection, and […]
A church in Oregon put an announcement in the local newspaper for an upcoming program they were having entitled, “Our God Resigns.” Shortly after that announcment was printed, a correction notice in the same local newspaper followed and read, “Our God Reigns.” They were so embarrassed. What a difference a […]
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