Susan Eisenhower’s book about her grandfather, General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower altered my understanding of who Ike was. Her well written book shines light on a number of turning points in the life of the man who led Allied forces to defeat Hitler then served two terms as president. I recommend the book to … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—A Man Who Changed Himself
TURNING POINTS—A Half-Century of Belonging—and Learning
On Saturday, March 20, 1971, Blackthorn Rugby Football Club played its first match (in Hatboro, PA, USA). It also was my first rugby game as a player. Caught up with the excitement, I knew immediately that I’d begun something I would want to continue, but I had no idea just how much rugby would influence … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—A Half-Century of Belonging—and Learning
TURNING POINTS—Angels and Ordinary Beings
It’s Sunday afternoon, and from the voice on the other end of the line, I can tell that my hospitalized curmudgeon friend is practically cheery today—even with a big diagnostic procedure looming tomorrow. His wife texts me how thrilled he is to learn that his new hospital roommate used to work for their favorite NFL … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Angels and Ordinary Beings
TURNING POINTS—Survival Plus Some
From birth to our last breath, life is a matter of meeting our needs and wants. Survival requires food, shelter, clothing, tools, and sustenance skills. Common sense, right? Once our basic needs are met (sometimes even before), we seek pleasure, engagement, and meaning. It’s what we humans do—always have and always will. The urge to … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Survival Plus Some
TURNING POINTS—When Handcuffs Might Not Be Our Best First Move
For some time now, Americans have watched one incident after another in which police-citizen interactions go bad. We’ve heard all sorts of proposals about how to improve this hard, ugly truth. No single change is likely to improve conditions enough to make people feel that we are making real progress, but a recent Bangor Daily … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—When Handcuffs Might Not Be Our Best First Move
TURNING POINTS—And Page Turners
I’ve never met Maine-based novelist Susan Conley, but I feel like I know Jill Archer, the protagonist of Conley’s Landslide. If you came across a character like Jill in one of those beachy reads that summer visitors inhale while ensconced on cozy B&B porches overlooking Penobscot Bay, chances are the reading would not rate up … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—And Page Turners
TURNING POINTS—Waiting and Hoping For Them
Depending on where you live on the planet, it’s been about a year since earthling leaders, to protect humans from COVID, advised, urged, and ordered their people to hunker down in their homes—among other protective measures. Certainly, these efforts have limited the disease’s spread and deadly impact. Some day in the hopefully not too distant … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Waiting and Hoping For Them
TURNING POINTS—A Long Way to Walk—In Either Direction
As noted here last week, sometimes the experience of watching a film or reading a book can cause us to think differently about something, to change/learn. Brother Joseph, my American history teacher in junior year of high school, assigned a novel set during the American Revolution to provide background and context for the course. Reading … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—A Long Way to Walk—In Either Direction
TURNING POINTS—Happy Groundhog Day, Happy Groundhog Day, Happy Groundhog Day!
Four years ago on the film’s 25th anniversary, Chicago Tribune writer Ted Slowik called Groundhog Day “the best movie ever made.” Strong praise for a Bill Murray comedy, even though it’s one of my favorite movies. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-groundhog-day-st-0201-20170131-story.html February 2. You know the drill. Cut to Punxsutawney, PA, where, in delightfully unscientific fashion, top-hatted town officials … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Happy Groundhog Day, Happy Groundhog Day, Happy Groundhog Day!
TURNING POINTS—Fishing For “The Full Life”
In last week’s post, we saw how aspects of author/entrepreneur Ali Farrell’s life contributed to her happiness or well-being, from romping with her kids and dog and authoring books to co-creating an organization to benefit commercial fishermen during COVID. We also saw how legendary psychologist Martin S. Seligman would view her behaviors as steps on … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Fishing For “The Full Life”
