Category: Life Lessons

I’ve always believed people thrive when they’re part of a community. To me, a community is a group of people who share common values and a strong bond. That’s how groups grow and flourish and how clubs are born. It’s a social group bound together by geography, profession, lifestyle, circumstances, beliefs or interests. I’ve chosen …

I first wrote this tale in December 2017. It was the eleventh story I posted. This one is number 881. I’ve fixed a few spelling errors from the original and worked on making it feel more like I’m telling the story rather than just writing it down. The intent remains the same, but the delivery …

At my son David’s suggestion, I’ve been exploring the different types of manifestos people write and their reasons for doing so. I posted my personal manifesto last Wednesday, and today I’m sharing my creative manifesto. This one was developed for me by AL using the same guidelines as my personal one.  I wanted it because …

My son, David, is becoming an expert in AI, and this week he’s in San Diego sharing his knowledge. The first time we had an in-depth conversation about AI was in the fall of 2024, when I was recovering from shoulder replacement surgery. He was working on several projects and gave me a little show-and-tell. …

When I began writing eight and a half years ago, April 11th quickly became one of my favorite days to talk about. It was Ruth’s birthday and for six weeks each year she was a year older than me. I ended up writing several stories about her birthday and our age gap. She played along …

I don’t remember where I found this, but I like it.  It may have come from my minister friend, Barbara.  It sounds like something she’d share. Youth gives you speed.  Aging can give you mastery and mastery is far more powerful.  The people who glow later in life didn’t escape aging. They befriended it. There’s …

When I was going through my cardio rehab last summer, the group leaders spoke about the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, positive mindset and a supportive environment.   When I spoke with our dietitian, she mentioned the 80/20 rule.  She emphasized doing the right thing at least eighty percent of the time. I did …

My sister, Jackie, bought me a book for Christmas. It’s an autographed copy of Mitch Album’s Twice.  I just got around to reading it.  The truth is I’m not done but I’ve got the gist. Mitch and I go way back.  Ruth bought me an autographed copy of Tuesdays with Morrie, his all-time best seller, …

When I returned to Florida after Ruth’s accident in September of 2022, the bed wasn’t made. It was stripped down to the mattress pad.  Ruth had a habit of changing the sheets just before we headed North or South, so we had a clean bed when we arrived. It was the first time I was …

I originally posted this story on January 24, 2018.  It was my twenty-fourth blog.  This is number eight hundred and sixty-eight. I’ve enjoyed a career in education spanning over forty-five years. I’ve taught, served as a building principal, been a school superintendent and now do consulting work. Once, several years ago in my elementary school …