Yesterday, I had lunch with a PhD student who had just successfully defended their dissertation proposal the day before. As we talked about why we do what we do in grad school, it prompted me to think through my own reasons for pursuing another graduate degree, this time in theology. There were things discussed inContinue reading “What I didn’t know”
Tag Archives: belief
Sudden death
A dear friend of more than thirty years, who was my age, died suddenly last week. If you are a praying person, I ask that you hold up her husband and their children to God in prayer. One thing I’ve learned is that grief and loss are terribly difficult but even more so in thisContinue reading “Sudden death”
One of the lucky ones
My last post was rather down in the dumps. Some might even call it an exercise in self pity, and maybe it is. I do realize, though, that I am one of the lucky ones. I have a job. Many people don’t, including many people in my profession. I think of this quite often givenContinue reading “One of the lucky ones”
The day after
‘Twas the day after Thanksgiving, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Oops, wrong holiday. However, the same sentiment applies. Yesterday was a quiet, peaceful day capped with a great meal that almost everyone had a hand in making. For example, I made dessert, something I haven’t doneContinue reading “The day after”
Cleanup on the aisle of atrocities
Never in a million years did I think I’d become a fairly regular reader of that bastion of liberals and glorifier of a city I don’t even particularly like, the New York Times. Yet, here I am, reading it, without any shame or remorse. I also never thought I’d categorize myself politically as a liberal.Continue reading “Cleanup on the aisle of atrocities”
The power of observation
A powerful yet simple truth is that we learn quite a lot from observation. I’ve been thinking about that this morning, and recalling incidents in which I developed and changed over my lifetime as a result of watching others. I can recall, for example, the great power of observing my grandma kneeling at her bedside,Continue reading “The power of observation”
Hope flickers
Change, including positive change, is rarely easy and quick. Yesterday, I happened to look back on all of the previous posts I’ve written and I found it encouraging and helpful to see the variety of emotions and circumstances documented in them. In particular, I sensed a pattern of ongoing change in them. Writing things downContinue reading “Hope flickers”
Equilibrium
Equilibrium — a word that sounds vaguely, and indeed is rooted in, Latin. Kind of like Londinium (Roman name for the city of London) or palladium. Anyway, it occurred to me today that this is what I have frequently lacked. Here is a complete definition: e·qui·lib·ri·um| ˌēkwəˈlibrēəm, ˌekwəˈlibrēəm | noun (plural equilibria | -ˈlibrēə | ) a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced: the maintenance of social equilibrium.• aContinue reading “Equilibrium”
Walking
Walking — simply, walking — may be the key means by which I get better, physically. I’ve begun to walk 1-2 miles every other day. Honestly, it is not easy. It is quite hard, but at least it is something I can do to get some exercise. I don’t need special equipment or complicated instructionsContinue reading “Walking”
Fruit (of the Spirit)
Yesterday I enjoyed eating part of a fresh papaya, something I haven’t had in a long time. I had forgotten how beautiful they are when cut open — the striking orange-y yellow with the glossy dark seeds in the middle — so I decided to take a photo. This time of year is when locallyContinue reading “Fruit (of the Spirit)”
The OW Factor 