H and H (happy and humble)

We all know them. They are myopically concerned with themselves. How they feel. What they need. How others treat them. Often they’re angry because others don’t do what they want. In the long run, they’re lonely because they’ve alienated and worn out those around them. It can get lonesome being all about #1. If they…

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Think of an awards ceremony. Often the recipients will credit a teacher, coach, family member, or sponsor saying. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.” Everyone feels a warm spot in their heart because of the recipient’s humility and because of the help that was given by that special person. Now think of…

A Little Girl and the Doves

Many years ago there lived a little girl who loved her grandmother’s garden. You may know a girl like her or you may be like her. Summer evenings were the little girl’s favorite time. That was the time the mourning doves came to drink at the small garden pond near the front porch where she…

Apprentice

Once upon a time there was an apprentice.  She was earnest, but not particularly quick to learn.  Her instructor kindly and patiently repeatedly took her step by step over the process necessary to master the skill.  It had been a slog, yet her instructor always encouraged her.  The instructor knew that the apprentice needed to…

A Bad Day

Remember reading the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” to your kids or grandkids? Poor Alexander had a lot of unpleasant things happen to him in one very bad day. People and things seemed to be working against him. This caused him to complain, feel defeated and angry, and…

Masterpieces

On Saturday our oldest son and his dear wife took me to see reproductions of the panels of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo.  Instead of traveling to Rome and viewing his ceiling masterpieces from 65 feet below, we were able to go to our own city and walk right up to each individual reproduction panel…