For much of my life, I was a dysfunctional flake with little follow through capability. I overcame that through a lot of hard work, and adding structure and routine into my life. I function well and am quite comfortable in such an environment. As vital as they are, I want Read more…
I am fond of saying that no man or woman is an island. I really do believe it. We all owe so much to others for our parents who gave us existence and love, our siblings who gave us companionship, our teaches who fertilized our minds, our doctors who safe Read more…
The world wants to classify people in two categories: leaders and followers. I grow weary with this distinction the older I get. Life is too complex, nuanced, and interrelated. I just don’t see how this dichotomy holds water. Everything is so fluid and dynamic. I like the image of walking Read more…
The older I get the more I see that effective and meaningful communication is the foundation of all he hold dear in life. So many of life’s problems arise because people don’t want to take, the effort, time, or commitment to truly communicate. All too often people try to take Read more…
In this world today, we hear people talk about toughness, physical strength, and hardness. They talk about going it alone and being strong. What do people want most in this in this pandemic–something totally different. People miss the hugs and kisses from friends and family. They miss the direct physical Read more…
There is something very attractive about beginnings. They are new and fresh. The old is discarded and the world is full of potential. Free of the pains and scars of the past, the heavens are within our grasp full of hope. Timidness and tentativeness are thrown to the wind. It Read more…
For the longest time I hated the word “empowerment.” I took it to mean, sorry Paul you are out of luck, you got to fend for yourself. I felt it was totally unfair. I needed people to do things for me. I didn’t see that part of adult life is Read more…
We would like to live the spiritual life meaning to live a moral and loving life in communion with God. This may sound simple, but almost all of us would acknowledge how difficult that is. Distractions, disappointments, bruises and scars, and want get in the way. Also pride and ego Read more…
I have been sheltering-in-place since March and put on the bulge. My doctors and my friends have been after me urging me to start exercising. I was resistant to their advice. I was suffering from severe couch potato. Then I went into my primary and saw for my own two Read more…
I find these day marked by direct and confrontational brazenness. I am not sure what it accomplishes except bruises, scars, and broken relationships. I favor a gentler approach with empathy, acceptance, and tolerance. I believe in listening meaningfully before speaking and never speak to condemn but rather to build up. Read more…