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Joy despite the facts
“Be joyful, even though you have considered all the facts.” ~Wendell Berry Time off is the best gift we can give ourselves when we need it. I usually thrive on writing blog posts and columns, but sometimes it’s a relief to wake up without deadlines. Without deadlines, I’m more attuned to my surroundings and the moment at hand. I stop feeling pressured to turn every idea, emotion, or event into a story. There’s freedom, for instance, in knowing I can simply appreciate a luminous moon or a field of sunflowers without having to document the spectacle. So what did I do with the extra hours of deadline-free time? My goal…
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How to Know a Person
“Being open-hearted is a prerequisite for being a full, kind, and wise human being. But it is not enough. People need social skills.” ~David Brooks As author David Brooks sees it, so much of our current national angst results from the “fraying of our social fabric.” Put simply, we’ve forgotten how to talk with each other. We’ve forgotten how to listen to each other. At the same time, too many of us feel unseen and misunderstood. Worse yet, mental health statistics show that we’re feeling lonelier than ever. Social media may have given us more connections — and nearly unlimited access to others — but the quality of those relationships…
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When it’s all too much
“If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you. If you feel too much, don’t go. If this world is too painful, stop and rest. It’s OK to stop and rest. If you need a break, it’s OK to say you need a break.” ~Jamie Tworkowski While I’m on a break, I invite you to explore the “Life Lines” site on your browser, which shows many additional features and articles that aren’t included in your email subscription. Meanwhile, I hope that you, too, will find ways to nourish your soul if you’re feeling “too much” and you need time off. ~CL UPDATE (2/25/25): Thank you for your encouraging…
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How we see things
“We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are.”~Anais Nin, memoirist We humans view everything through the lens of our personal experience, which includes our upbringing and education, where we’ve lived, and the people who form our tribe. Things get tricky when we encounter others who see things differently than we do. Whenever I’m offended, annoyed, or angered, I usually adopt a self-righteousness attitude. But that’s when I need to pause and consider the reasons behind another person’s offending actions, according to David Brooks in How to Know a Person. (Click on the previous link for my review of the book.) And that’s when a little…
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The choices we make
“Life is about choices. Some we regret, some we’re proud of. Some will haunt us forever. We are what we choose to be.” ~Graham Brown We make choices every day. A choice can change lives — because every choice has a ripple effect. This applies to everything from the products we purchase to the political candidates we elect. Likewise, the friends we choose have a powerful influence on our habits, beliefs, and even our reputation. Or, to paraphrase an old proverb, “You are not responsible for what your friends do, but you will be judged by the company you keep.” This applies to personal as well as business relationships. How…
