A few years ago, I read Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, a challenging experience that pulled me through a wider range of intellectual and emotional moments than most other serious books. As its subtitle says, it is A Story of Justice and Redemption—always the kind of story we need but especially now in these strange days. … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Hoping Through Hard Times
TURNING POINTS–Rescuers Update
Yesterday's post referenced the rescue activity done everyday by state game wardens, often harrowing and demanding work. These largely unsung men and women routinely perform critical life-saving work, and after posting yesterday, Kathleen showed me an article about a very recent emergency in which the Maine game wardens did their usual job. https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/maine-warden-service-emergency-rescue-crews-assist-injured-hiker-who-fell-30-feet-mox/133192. (Main photo: … Continue reading TURNING POINTS–Rescuers Update
TURNING POINTS—Earth Day and Earth Rescuers
Celebrated on this date in 1970, the first Earth Day prompted a half-century of environment-conscious efforts that have resulted in what most would consider needed changes and improvements on our planet. It was certainly a turning point both culturally and individually for thousands then and many more since April 22, 1970. In Philadelphia, the occasion … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Earth Day and Earth Rescuers
TURNING POINTS—Barricading Driveways and Lighting Hope
Gloom and doom. Blame and shame. Had enough? Or are you gagging on stories about the kindness of strangers wearing face masks? Whether your tendency leans toward optimism or pessimism, toward light or darkness, the pandemic has pushed and pulled us and will continue to do so. It’s provided turning points, and we’re turning. In … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Barricading Driveways and Lighting Hope
TURNING POINTS—Help the Colleges That Need Help
With billions of dollars already benefiting wealthy universities, you can help level the playing field for the institutions that serve most nontraditional students. The Elite Schools Don’t Need Your Money They’re loaded. If you graduated from Stanford, Harvard, University of Chicago, or the like, you and your fellow alumni have endowed your alma mater very … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Help the Colleges That Need Help
OPEN ADMISSIONS: Picking Up the Pieces
Our mistakes do not have to define us. They may well limit our futures, but here is a story about a man who has changed his life while in prison. https://portlandphoenix.me/degree-of-difficulty/?fbclid=IwAR1JtIlkC9RMP8OcG3wGLmGistSDmOsq0RGsnZUs0BIhk7-BgPynLmTpRm0 Brandon Brown's crime affected many individuals in harmful ways, for sure. But his story did not end there. The ripple effect of his profound … Continue reading OPEN ADMISSIONS: Picking Up the Pieces
TURNING POINTS—Faves of 2019
We’ve celebrated numerous published articles here that have shined light on important turning points in people’s lives. As readers know, these posts tend to focus on underappreciated contributions to life, especially as they relate to the most vulnerable among us. We all experience moments that matter, turning points in our lives--and other people often are … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Faves of 2019
TURNING POINTS—Giving Thanks And Finding the Linkages
TURNING POINTS focuses on connections that matter in life, and I want to offer thanks to and for all the people who have make life better for others. Good on ya, mates! Like Paul McCartney of the Beatles, who played such a role in the transformation of popular music in the early Sixties. Many of … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Giving Thanks And Finding the Linkages
TURNING POINTS—Fostering Persistence
Last year, I was fortunate to speak with faculty at Maryland’s Howard Community College about OPEN ADMISSIONS and the mission of teaching nontraditional students. HCC President Kate Hetherington’s praise for the book meant a lot to me, as did her invitation to address the faculty then to work with a small faculty group. I was … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Fostering Persistence
TURNING POINTS—Thanks Should Be Given Daily, But Posts Can Be Shared Less Frequently
Stigmas can change, as last week’s post suggested. I’ve seen that happen since I walked in the doors of a community college as a freshman, since I walked out of the same college’s doors after 38 years of counseling and teaching, and since the publication of a book that sings the praises of nontraditional students … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Thanks Should Be Given Daily, But Posts Can Be Shared Less Frequently
