Community in Real-Time

Henry David Thoreau went to the woods because he “wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…” It is interesting that he thought he could only do this in nature, not in a city or populated place. Was it because there would be fewer distractions, or because confronting the essence of life was easiest when immersed in the life cycle of nature, or because he was pared down to only what is necessary to survive? Regardless, he is the epitome of the American bucolic desire for meaning and connection and the tendency to believe nature will provide it

The Dignity of Work

  The Dignity of Work We are what we do Nearly every child has been asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a standard query posed by adults without much thought. At closer look, the question presupposes adulthood as the summa of being, and that being is tied to occupation. […]

Heritage: What roots us?

Heritage: What roots us? Culture is a nebulous word. Culture is a word we all toss around, but it has a depth of meaning that we seldom mine. Often it is used to designate the arts or an esoteric idea of elegance or sophistication. But culture has grit too, if we think of it in […]

Miracles?

Miracles DO happen. There’s no such thing as a miracle! We are in the Easter season, centered on the greatest miracle of all – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is THE article of faith. Faith seems to be a prerequisite for miracles – or is it? “Miracles DO happen!” “There’s no […]

The Pursuit of Happiness

            The Pursuit of Happiness America offers a siren song of opportunity. People don’t laud the Irish Dream or the Chilean Dream or the Norwegian Dream. But the American Dream and its mythos are known around the globe. What is it about this particular country that fosters dreams and inspires […]

When The Past Beckons

When the Past Beckons The Past is as Close as a Fleeting Thought What is it that sends us there? A word, a song, a scent, a feeling? It is instantaneous transportation to another level of consciousness – sometimes involuntary and sometimes willful pursuit. What that visit will be like depends on what we are […]