The New Year is quickly approaching. As I think about what 2014 may bring for my life and the lives of those around me, I find myself continuing to ruminate on the ancient tidings of Christmas: Peace on Earth. Good will toward all. Could there be something here for the… Read More »A Better Place for 2014
It took me a long time to admit, but he was right. He was right about a lot of things. It often takes sons a long time to admit that their fathers’ were right all along. On this issue, it’s been a gradual process of moving from, “He doesn’t know… Read More »He Was Right All Along
I live in a great neighborhood. While it’s only a few minutes drive to Atlanta’s downtown and midtown neighborhoods, it’s also just as close to the city center of neighboring Decatur. While we live in an urban area, our yard leads into a woods and the houses in our neighborhood… Read More »Fear Versus Trust
It was Sunday morning. I stopped at the local grocery to pick up a few things for dinner preparation. No sooner had I stepped from the car than a young man gathering carts called over to me. “You ready for the game?” I laughed and responded, “I’ll be closer to… Read More »Sport and Lessons on Community
As I read Facebook status up-dates one day last week, the words posted by a friend struck a deep cord. The question he posed was simple, frank, and stark. It read: Will the hate ever stop? As best as I could tell, the question was not connected to a specific… Read More »Will Hatred End?
In one of my courses this week, we discussed a concept in cognitive psychology called autonomy. Autonomy is the belief that individuals, as independent and separate from others, are responsible for their own thoughts and behavior. A person is able to change thoughts and behavior patterns because they belong to… Read More »Autonomy and Community: Toward the Greater Good
The alarm went off far too early. At 5:30 a.m., it was still as dark as midnight. With everything packed in the car and with a travel mug full of hot coffee, at 6:30 a.m. I got up to speed heading south on Interstate 55. As the sun crested the… Read More »A Vibrant Spirit of Community
Adding a bit of commentary marked by dry humor, the BBC anchor stated today, “The temperatures in parts of the UK are lower than at the North Pole.” While that’s a potent image for England known for its mild, wet winters, found more humor in the irony that because of… Read More »The Big Chill and Environmental Spirituality