“I’m in a haunted place, and every day is a new one.”
Ed Madden
This quote is from a FaceBook post by my friend, Ed Madden, whose evocative poetry finds its way into his everyday conversations. In this instance, he was describing his stay with his aging parents in rural Arkansas, where he grew up. It is a recognition of how the past waits for us to rediscover it, as we make geographical or emotional journeys to visit where we have been. (more…)
It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion;
it is easy in solitude to live after our own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
At a time when there are so many diverse opinions being proffered in the world and those opinions are causing so much trouble (terrorism, American politics, religious conflicts), I am drawn to Emerson’s quote.
We, humans, are an opinionated bunch! On most topics, there are as many ideas as there are people. As we live in neighborhoods, communities, nations and organizations, we confront the collision of those differing ideas every day. At work, in coffee shops, at church, even at the dinner table — people disagree with us.
So what should we do? (more…)
“There is just not enough!”
During these past few years of recession, this complaint has become a part of our conversations about money. We don’t have enough to pay all our credit cards. We haven’t saved enough for college. Our budget doesn’t have enough at the end of the month for extras. Many of us have had a wake up call to get our finances in order — mostly by living within our means.
We use the phrase, “there is just not enough…,” in other conversations as well — when we talk about time. It seems that in addition to our financial debt, many of us are also in Time Debt. (more…)
“This is where I get most of my negative thinking done.”
New Yorker cartoon of a woman showing buyers her home office
Economically and environmentally, for Americans the past three years have been difficult, at best. Even those whose jobs were secure and finances healthy have felt the impact: government cuts to essential programs, neighbors who had to sell their homes, friends who were unemployed, new carcinogens and ever worsening global warming. Worst of all, the nightly news reminds us how bad things are. All that in addition to our personal challenges.
In times like these, optimism is hard to summon. The cartoon I quoted above is not far from the truth — we often get so trapped in worrying that we can’t do Good Work! (more…)
“My world began on the way to school.”
As small children, our first experiences of the world beyond our families were at school – and even before that, on the way to school. Carrying our lunch box or our book bag, some of us walked through our neighborhood with our parents or friends. Others rode their bikes. Many of us boarded a big yellow school bus. A few of us were driven to school in cars.
What do you remember about walking or riding to school? (more…)
“We Want This Organization to Make a Difference
in the Lives of …”
Our generation has seen a blossoming of groups of people coming together to make the world a better place – so many of us want our lives to matter! (more…)
“Don’t discourage anyone who is making progress, no matter how slow.” Plato
This has been one of those weeks when I have been busy all week, but the stack of unfinished projects on my desk suggests otherwise. While I had every intention of completing the items on my to-do list, I set many of them aside to do other things. I took on new commitments and attended important events. Mostly, I gave time to relationships and met several new friends, so it has been a good week. (more…)
“It was time to make a move.”
Drawers emptied. Boxes stacked. Truck packed. Address changed. Friends hugged. Map ready. Heart uncertain.
Moving from one place to another is a universal experience. (more…)
Two heads are better than one.
You buy new software and are trying to install it, and the screen says there is a problem with your computer.
It’s time to finally get your insurance and finances in order…again.
A family member is having trouble coping and needs assistance.
Situations like these are part of everyday life for most of us. We know the problem, but the answer is much more complicated. In fact, we’re not even sure where to start!
The good news is that we don’t have to come up with a solution all by ourselves. (more…)
Let Peace begin with me – let this be the moment now!
A line from the song, Let There Be Peace on Earth
Tomorrow is World Peace Day!
Also known as the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 21 is celebrated around the world as a time dedicated to global peace with prayer services, concerts, candlelight vigils, festivals, community events and conferences. (more…)