Casey’s Story (part 1)
Susie and I chatted for years about adoption but never took action until one evening when, gazing off to the horizon, she sighed and said she’d be “unfulfilled” if she died without adopting. Which surprised me. I hadn’t…
IF
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and…
Two Dog Bones
Two dog bones for two Boston Terriers. Gave one to Roscoe, the other to puppy Jack. Stepped out to my office, took a sip of tea, realized I’d forgotten to sweeten it, went back into the kitchen—and…
Moments like Now
One afternoon, 3:30pm, exhausted, I took a nap. Daughter Michelle had just started playing chess with Casey when I lumbered up the steps to sleep. At 5:00 pm, 90 minutes later, I awoke, went downstairs, —they were still playing…
Chairlift Conversations
Tuesday afternoon skiing was one of the Top 10 best ever! Conditions were flawless! After a first stiff run, I loosened up and hit it! Loose hips, carving thru slight moguls, joyous adventure! Bright sunshine, sunny blue sky, warm but…
Solving Problems: Step One
A wise man once told me that whenever I have a problem, step one is to look in the mirror and ask, “Is it me? Am I the problem? am I doing something wrong here? Is my behavior offensive? my…
Where are those true friends?
Where are my friends—my true friends? Why don’t I have any? Where are those gentle hearts whose eyes scan for loneliness, whose hearts break for pain-bearers, whose compassion compels them to reach out, befriend,…
Make the Boy Cry
“As long as we stay angry, we keep our pain”—James Joyce Dang it. I got angry with my 8 year old for acting like a 8 year old. Through scolding words and demanding standards, I made him cry; and for…
A Champion’s Commitment
A champion’s commitment usurps emotion. When a champion does not feel like doing what they have committed to do, they do it anyway, because doing advances them towards the goal. They do when they don’t feel like doing. Remarkable how…
Loving in the Forest of the Doomed
My 83 year old friend is entering what she calls ‘the forest’. It’s when you grow old and discover the stark difference between how you imagined you would handle aging versus the bewildered confusion you experience when your hearing goes,…
Doubts
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. –Bill Shakespeare 00
Rekindled
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” —Albert Schweitzer 00
Churchill: Make a Living
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill 00
Churchill on Your Enemies
“You have enemies? Good. It means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” —Winston Churchill 00
Sincerity not Truth
“Sincerity is not a test of truth. We must not make this mistake: He must be right; he’s so sincere. Because it is possible to be sincerely wrong. We can only judge truth by truth and sincerity by sincerity.” —…
Comedy & Tragedy
“Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.” ― Jean Racine 00
Emotions Have Been My Enemy
Emotions have been my enemy. Emotions have stymied my momentum. Emotions have stopped me cold. There are things I’ve wanted to do, goals I’ve wanted to achieve, stuff I’ve wanted to get done but did not do so because a…
Faking Confidence
Faking confidence is short-lived. Confidence is built on competence. Competence is built on consistency. Consistency is built on discipline. “The strongest steel is well-founded self belief. It is earned, not given.” –John Wooden (nor faked) 00
A Definition of Class
“Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. “Class has nothing to do with money. “Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It’s the sure-footedness that comes with having proved you can meet…
Get Started
“How can you ever produce something great if you don’t get started and give your ideas time to evolve? Author Jodi Picoult summarized the importance of avoiding perfectionism perfectly: ‘You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a…
