Category Archives: Humility

Do You Bend Like the Willow?

 In Turbulent Times — “Adapt yourself to change as the willow tree adapts itself to the weather. When the harsh winds of circumstance sweep across the landscape of your life, bow gracefully, bend gently, adapt graciously. You are wise to study well the ways of the willow. In the face of change, in the throes of adversity, in the midst of conflict and crisis, the … Continue reading Do You Bend Like the Willow? »

Failure is a Gift

This week’s post was inspired by a conversation with Tucker McHugh, a high school classmate who I have known for over 50 years. It was originally posted in December of 2017. I was raised on Wheaties, “The Breakfast of Champions.” Winning defined the purpose of my every endeavor: winning at school, winning at sports, winning with friends.  Winning was symbolized by blue ribbons, gold stars, and A-pluses.  … Continue reading Failure is a Gift »

Some Battles Are With Us Always

NOTE: I recently wrote a post inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Since it was published I’ve had a number of additional thoughts about this literary masterpiece, which I share with you now. ~ Pat  Storytellers are gatekeepers to our conscious selves — where we learn everyone’s story is our story. Thank you to: Homer, for The Iliad and The Odyssey; Dante, for The … Continue reading Some Battles Are With Us Always »

My Inscrutable Shadow

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” ~ Carl Jung  For the past two months I’ve been battling kidney stones. Ugh. It has felt very much like living in the presence of constant shadow.  There’s been no time in the past 50 years when I’ve been so sedentary. I’ve had nothing to distract me and have … Continue reading My Inscrutable Shadow »