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“So, here’s the thing”, she said. “The real demarcation between the end of one day and the beginning of the next is 3:37 am, not midnight. That’s the time when all stragglers from the night before are off the roads and the farmers and bakers are just starting their day.” OK, so admittedly this is the perspective shared with me by a patrol officer working the graveyard shift. CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING

Just as real momentum was gaining on climate change discussions among the informed, the world lay crippled by Coronavirus. Suddenly with hundreds of millions of lives immediately at risk, the focus necessarily shifted. Climate change discussions and policy considerations were put on the back burner. CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING

It was one of those evenings – good company, good food, good wine, great conversation. After dinner, the six of us who have known each other for nearly twenty years piled into a van and with the moon roof opened to a chilly, clear night began the drive back to the hotel. A classic vintage song cued up, a song instantly recognizable and one we collectively must have listened to a thousand times over the last four decades. The volume was cranked up by some random arm that reached across to the dashboard and grabbed at the knob. Singing the song in my head, I then declared “this next line is one of the best lines ever written in a rock and roll song”. I was stunned by the near unanimous response - “who listens to the lyrics?” And all the more perplexing, three of the passengers considered themselves musicians, or at least they play an instrument with some skill. (PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)

Last year my wife and I had the great good fortune to visit Charleston, South Carolina, a city rich in history, architectural treasures, and culinary delights. If you haven’t been there, it’s certainly worth a visit; if you have, then perhaps it’s time to go again; if you live there, ahhh, enjoy it! (PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)

Last weekend was very special. I accepted an invitation to crew on a sailboat in a local benefit regatta. The boat’s owner spent the last four years restoring this antique daysailer, originally built in 1947, and it’s now looking even better than it did when it first rolled out of the boatyard. I hadn’t raced in nearly 40 years, but was honored to have been asked. The boat is the same class as mine and as I am quite familiar with it, it wasn’t a random invitation. I went into this event and (I am happy to say) came out of it with the mindset that “it’s all about the boat” and determined not to let the racing get in the way of enjoying it. This beautiful boat did garner its share of “gawkers” as my skipper proudly referred to them, and they, too, had a genuine interest in her story. (PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)

Twenty years ago, I met with a talented young woman who very capably ran our Graphic Arts department. She had requested a meeting with me to “explore” the ramifications of pursuing her dream to move to Hawaii and be the artist she is. She had not yet committed to this direction, at least not to anyone other than herself. While I am sure she was curious about some assurances about a “fall back” position if things didn’t quite work out, I offered only enthusiastic encouragement. I shared with her a story to illustrate my whole-hearted support for what she was contemplating. She left my office, then left the company, never gazing back at that former career. I sit here now, smiling, as I recount that episode in our lives. [TO CONTINUE READING, CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE]

It’s an interesting process when you commit to create and share articles like this on a
regular basis, ones with real publication deadlines. You can only hold out for an inspirational
thought for so long. That inspiration can come from anywhere, and often does, when you
least expect it. Rarely is it packaged complete. So, when you read something that resonates
with your own beliefs and is so well presented and interesting, you just know there is
nothing you should do to change it. So it was for me when one morning over coffee my wife
introduced me to a presentation entitled We Came to Dance by Tasha Blank, a renowned DJ.
I encourage you to watch the video, as it is set to rhythmic music and the most wonderful
images of people dancing. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYD1UkN_KGI) (PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)

Two long-time business associates who had become friends at some point along the way, sat at a quiet corner table fully engaged in conversation. We carved out this time from busy schedules to be together and we approached it eagerly and with anticipation. There is great respect, professionally and personally between us. Enough respect to have devoted this time just to talk, to listen, to share and, in that moment, to be there with and for one another. [Please click on the title above to continue reading.]

I have previously written here about churches and sacred spaces. I have always had a reverence for these places, their sacredness, their mysteries and in the case of actual buildings, the incredible commitment of resources and talents it took to conceive and construct them, even the most modest. It’s understandable that such undertakings are driven by strong faith, commitment and long-term vison. Upon entering these buildings one immediately experiences them as sacred spaces and a portal to a spiritual realm. (PLEASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)

These are extraordinary times to be sure.

We haven’t been able to see those whom we love for nearly a year now. And, perhaps, we’ve never spent so much time together with those we do live with. We’ve gotten creative in finding new ways to interact and to share. This situation has given us a unique opportunity to review what is really important to us, if we devote the time to think about it. [Please click on the title above to continue reading.]