Category Archives: Sobriety

The Greatest Virtue – You Keep What You Give Away

“The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons.” ~ Aristotle Perhaps the finest mind found the simplest way to explain the greatest virtue known to humanity. ~ You keep what you give away ~  It was Aristotle’s contention that moral excellence is found in those acts which impart the greatest good on the greatest number of people. Whoever you are ~ Wherever … Continue reading The Greatest Virtue – You Keep What You Give Away »

Why Worry?

My friend John was a quadriplegic and permanent resident at King County Hospital. I met John in 1962 when I had a Seattle Times paper route in the hospital. He would buy both the morning and evening papers from me each day. I was 14 years old and brimming with adolescent angst. When John was 14 he often could be found on the Columbia River … Continue reading Why Worry? »

Zombies

I’m delighted to reprise a thought from Joe Nagy, one of my favorite writers. Joe, a former literature and writing professor, contributed this thought on zombies. Like me, I’m sure you’ll find it “strangely” interesting. Enjoy. At the start of this semester, I asked my literature students to attend one academic presentation by mid-term, and write a two-paragraph response, reflecting on what they learned. They … Continue reading Zombies »

The of Miracle of Showing Up

A while back I decided I couldn’t rightfully make sense of my life in any meaningful way other than as miraculous. Sure, on occasion, I’ve tried to convince myself I’m the primary author of my miracles, but when pressed to explain how, I can’t. There are just too many random happenings outside my control that can be only explained as miraculous. The common thread in … Continue reading The of Miracle of Showing Up »

Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks?

There are times when getting from here to there is no easy matter; when the route is unclear and obstacles seem insurmountable.   There’s an old saying: “The only difference between a stepping stone and a stumbling block is how we use them.” Will you walk in between the stones with a mind to missing them, or walk on top of the stones with a … Continue reading Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks? »