Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
Thirty years and a day. I celebrated my thirtieth year of sobriety last year, and today I have one more day. I was raised Southern Baptist. No one in my family drank. I was an honor student. I went to Divinity School and became an ordained minister. I worked with the Ecumenical Institute of Chicago on an inner city reformulation project and trained church leaders … Continue reading Thirty Years and a Day (by Herman)
I found a story that makes this point so nicely. A man found a cocoon made by a caterpillar. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched for several hours as the new butterfly struggled to force its body through the tiny hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and … Continue reading When Struggle is a Good Thing
Some time ago, I attended the funeral of Verdell Trice. Verdell was nicknamed the “Mayor of the West Side” because for more than 50 years he worked to make this desperately poor community in Chicago a better place to live. During the 1970’s I had the honor of working with Verdell on economic and social development programs aimed at improving the living conditions on the … Continue reading Why Bother?
Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” ~ George Washington As we near another election and grapple with the very threats to our democracy Washington’s words once again burn my ears with the truth they tell and prompt me to another sober reflection on the subject of power. What is it? How should it … Continue reading A Sober Thought on Power
Enjoy today’s post from friend Greg Nance, who currently resides in Shanghai. On New Year’s Eve I toed the start line of the Ultra Trail Tai Mo Shan, a 100-mile tour of Hong Kong’s jungled trails. Along with 292 other ultrarunners, I set out to ring in 2017 by climbing 9,032 meters of cumulative elevation and soaking in the majestic mountaintop views. Why? I love … Continue reading A Running Start to 2017 on Hong Kong’s Hills (Greg Nance)