Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
Please check out this second installment in the Search for Inspiration series on our homepage: www.justathoughtbypat.com. In a world so obsessed with success how is it possible to embrace defeat? The book Embracing Defeat, by John W. Dower, describes how Japan did exactly that after World War II, and in so doing, accomplished the greatest turnaround of all time. For those of us who have found embracing … Continue reading Embracing Defeat
I discovered my grandson Sam has the spirit of a caterpillar. Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, little Sam is on his journey toward being transformed into a mighty man. Wow! It’s an amazing process to witness, impossible to understand, and endlessly fascinating. I find myself hoping Sam might have an easy time finding his wings. But all indications are Mother … Continue reading Why the Heck Do We Have to Struggle?
Who do you look to for leadership? It’s hard to get from here to there if you don’t know the way. Some paths are marked with booby traps and dead ends, and we need men and women who have been there to share their experience. When I’ve selected my leaders unwisely I’ve gotten into loads of trouble. At 13 I chose my thrill-seeking next door … Continue reading A Successful Failure
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. – Helen Keller I’ve often found myself asking, “Am I the real thing?” I’ve wrestled with my shadow self through much of my life, maybe because it’s been easier hyping the image of me than experiencing … Continue reading The Crucible of Character
What constitutes a successful life? We are accustomed to defining success in terms of wealth, power and prestige. But is this what truly makes for a successful life? The word success comes from the Latin succedere, which simply means “make something happen.” So what if the something accrued to the benefit of others rather than oneself? What if success was defined by a person’s value to others? The connection between successful … Continue reading A Successful Life