Fifty years ago, I gave a speech at my high school commencement ceremony. I recall I shared some ideas about success, such as being willing to work hard, being able to get along with people, and being a person who knows how to think and communicate. The most important idea I shared was to have … Continue reading Enthusiasm →

A Birthday Meditation I had childhood fears. Not of monsters under the bed, or of the dark, or other fantasies. I had real fears. Such as, when my parents argued, would they get a divorce? Many of us have had fears like that. And my generation grew up with a more existential fear: thermonuclear annihilation. … Continue reading 68 →

I was five when my paternal grandfather died. I don’t remember much about him, other than that he was a quiet man who sometimes slept on the sofa – at least that’s one image that sticks in my mind. Succeeding generations have called him, “Silent Sam.” He spoke very little apart from telling his children … Continue reading Silent Sam →

Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by any din of drums, nor his manners, nor his airs, nor by anything he wears. Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by his crown or by his gown. But his coming known shall be, by the holy harmony which his coming makes in thee. … Continue reading An Advent Meditation →

A Thanksgiving Meditation I miss the random, informal meetings I had as a college professor. Not the faculty meetings, department meetings, or committee meetings, but the meetings with students, between classes and lessons, during office hours or when I happened to be in the building. We were required to publish times when we were sure … Continue reading Indoctrination →

A brief reaction to the election results. Some expected a “red wave,” others hoped for a “blue wave,” although neither happened. Many believe “our country is more divided than ever,” but this could be a matter of perspective. There were lots of close races and several of the more extreme candidates were defeated. Both houses … Continue reading The Center →

“Old habits die hard,” the saying goes. The longer we do something, the more difficult it becomes to change. One of my teachers told me, “We can never really break a habit. We can only replace it with a better habit.” Even if we play a passage correctly 990 out of 1000 times, there is … Continue reading Good →

“You can be whatever you want to be.” This statement either has limited meaning or is a myth. It’s fine to say we can choose the kind of person we want to become – honest, ethical, caring, generous, or dishonest, unethical, cruel, self-centered. Even so, it’s unlikely that everyone can become a fighter pilot, brain … Continue reading The Salt of the Earth →

A reaction to the firing of an NYU chemistry professor. Some courses of study are difficult. Others are relatively easy. Over four years of college, these tend to balance out. So, I was told 50 years ago. I knew several pre-med students who all said things like, “I can’t spare the time now, I have … Continue reading Feedback →

Based on a true story… A corporate vice president was assigned to run a large manufacturing division. Because the operation was in the red, his first task was to restore profitability. One might think all he had to do was to increase sales, but one would be wrong. Because the products were priced too low … Continue reading Stop Digging →