Yes, a restorative sense of belonging comes along with service. Making a contribution always boosts the spirit. And now, with so many feeling helpless in the face of frightening political and societal events beyond our control, “just helping” has never been a better idea. Opportunities are endless— over here, over there, by the side of the loner, at the door of the caregiver, shoes going to Somalia and shelter for the Somalian refugee.
Read MoreInmates at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women can earn a two-year community college degree, beneficiaries of Doris Buffett’s incredible Sunshine Foundation. The week before our class, they read about Courage and Humanity from Little Big Minds. Their assignment was to be prepared with their own definitions of these concepts and with questions for me. They were so much more than prepared. They were amazing. Eager, respectful of each other and the professor and me, smart, honest, inquisitive, articulate, grateful for their educations, responsible for their lives past and future and focused on the present.
Read MoreIn her riveting voice, Angelou’s cadence captures this promise: “History, despite its wrenching pain / Cannot be unlived, but if faced / With courage, need not be lived again.” There we have it—the powerful motivation of the massive peaceful protests that inspired our country on January 21 and reverberated worldwide. “On the Pulse of Morning” once again serves as a summons to action, each of us newly wise to what can’t be undone but can be corrected.
Read MoreFor all the truths revealed by philosophical clear thinking and re-thinking, the necessity of gratitude for experiencing joy may well be the most important.
Read MoreI’m putting the campaign behind me, hopefully with at least a tincture of the grace and love of country shown by Secretary Clinton and President Obama in their speeches this morning. If she, the winner of the popular vote, asks us to do as she is and “accept the result and look to the future,” then I’m with her. If she believes on this of all mornings that “fighting for what’s right is always worth it,” then game on for me, too. I know she’s right—and that I can work harder for those marginalized by poverty, bigotry, and injustice. If her love of country and commitment to its improvement remain steadfast, who am I to give up and dream of Canadian sunsets? She's also correct that her loss is painful and will be for a long time. But heartsick and staying active and positive can co-exist.
Read MoreThank you to the Khan Family. You’ve shown the world a compelling generosity of spirit and redefined the meaning of patriotism. You’ve made the US look good and inspired many of its citizens toward active caring. Yes, we can remain positive and hopeful, reach higher and participate actively during election days—in our own lives, within the circumstances that every day brings.
Read MoreThe Cooper stone masons, oblivious of my pecking at the laptop, helped me immeasurably. Their painstaking precision with several levels positioned just so, pieces of slate cut exactly to complement its stone neighbors, a piece here and there ever-so-slightly shifted after careful observation from all angles—a writing workshop just for me! As the simple, beautiful patio took shape, the writer peeking out the window found her groove as well.
Read More"The only mistake you can make is to give up hope." I often think of this statement from the Dalai Lama which closed his talk that I attended in 1998. His visit to this country last week heartened many, including President Obama in their meeting at the White House. About to turn 81, His Holiness was 77 when I wrote this blog. Truth ages well.
Read MoreI can’t begin to address the “educational system,” but I can point to an educational beacon and the people who make it work. Is the work hard? Yes, absolutely. I don’t know about its “system,” but Jack Jouett’s bedrock philosophy of love serves everyone well. Single purpose commitment to each student elevates the humanity of all.
Read MoreThe good news is that bigotry that’s been simmering and festering is now on full display. How humbling it should be for all. How about a national injection of charity? A softening gel for hearts? It's up to us, all of us. We will reap what we sow—we are reaping what we’ve sown.
Read MoreComposing their very own three-lined poems stands out as one of the all-time favorite activities for philosophers of all ages and interests. Everybody has poetry within! Grab a pad and pencil. Go outside if you can, look out a window perhaps, or dig into memory’s treasure box. Take a deep breath, exhale, you know…. Rhyming words at line’s end—who cares?! Getting it right—who knows?! How? Your 3 lines present a snapshot, capturing a moment in time.
Read MoreI sing the praises of my small charcoal grill that defines homecoming for my godsons Nelson and Will (and me) on their cross-country visits. No longer young apprentices, these now early twenty-somethings commandeer the operation. Nothing intervenes—snow, sleet, rain, nor my occasional (faint) reluctance. Our love renews as the corn turns.
Read MoreAs soon as we pre-package individuals before we know them, drawing conclusions as if we know them, they shrink, become diminished, and are absolutely not worthy. The tomboy on the playground and the gay man at work are fair game for emotional and physical violence. What about the single father and the unmarried woman? Whew! At least I'm not one of them. Is there a way to combat this very human tendency? Yes.
Read MoreWhile it was a rainy day in Cincinnati, it was sunny inside Evanston Academy. I thought about Plato’s image of wisdom growing as we exit a dark cave and gradually climb into the sunlight of mental clarity. What did the child philosophers teach me? I should continue spending time in classrooms with small chairs. I can gorge on simple pleasures, sunup, sundown.
Read MoreI hereby resolve to experience, fully, one day—(half day…half hour…breath and blink)—one laugh, handshake, moon, tear, and song at a time. Hopefully I can string moments together into savored days—for life.
Read MoreI thought of the statement from ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus: “Everything has two handles, one by which you can carry it, the other by which you cannot” (Enchiridion). How to carry the reality of terrorist acts in the past and their likelihood in the future? We can only carry this burden within the circumstances of our personal lives. Each of us left the philosopher’s lunch to return to lives which hadn’t experienced terrorism directly, our homes geographically far from Paris and now Mali. You and I must find our own handles for lifting the heavy burden of terrorism. The handle used by Antoine Leiris or the terrorists? I’m lining up with Antoine. His weapons win.
Read MoreThe world is learning more each day of huge strides made in another “long walk to freedom,” this time in Burma, aka Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of this lengthy and surely ongoing struggle, links arms with King, Mandela, Gandhi and others who used nonviolent means to achieve many of their goals. Nonviolence wins in the long haul. I first learned of her in 1998 when I was in the audience for a gathering of Nobel Peace Prize Winners at the University of Virginia. Why was she under house arrest?
Read MoreI don’t want to forget yet another high school lesson. Whether our childhood next door neighbors, teachers, colleagues from the early days, tennis or dance partners, old friendship deserves our attention. It supplies uncommon satisfaction. Old friendship welcomes like a favorite easy chair, asking little and giving so much.
Read MoreThe US Open, last of the tennis Grand Slam events of the year, always marks my summer’s end and provides an opportunity to connect with tennis-playing and loving friends and family. Texting commentaries with my college roommate take us timelessly back to our old dorm as we watch this same tournament together from afar. While this year’s tournament had its dazzling array of one-handed backhands and deft drop shots, what will stay with me are the lessons for wise living captured by the athletes. Here are but a few.
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four-legged Luna / watches her namesake show off / best moon pie dog treat. The wind hints at rain so we see grandpa off and head for home, its windows “brazen in the setting sun.” pansy faces wink / as four Beatles sing their song / “I Want to Hold Your Hand”