Life’s Four Levels Of Learning

Logically if not methodically, we begin to learn as soon as we are born and continue to learn until we take our last breath.

At first, it’s primitive like fussing loudly until someone changes our wet diaper or eagerly reaching toward food that’s about to be given to us. No matter how simple or direct our efforts, we are rewarded.

That’s the beginning of the first shelf of learning — what we learn from family. Not until later do we realize how many opportunities are provided by family members: the uncle who is an auto mechanic, the cousin who is … Read the rest “Life’s Four Levels Of Learning”

An Unprecedented Happening

Yes, what I am about to describe to you has never happened before.

I am writing this at 3 A.M. on Wednesday. My latest column about timing was posted early yesterday and by late afternoon I had already received a note from a reader in Arizona who told me how much she enjoyed reading the column. 

Fast forward to a few minutes ago deep in the middle of the night when my sub-conscience confirmed that yes, it was a good column except I hadn’t gone far enough. That is, as soon as one recognizes that the time is right, it’s … Read the rest “An Unprecedented Happening”

No, You Aren’t Alone

Most authors of columns such as this probably think of themselves as being merchants of knowledge — educating, informing, urging, enlightening, and in some cases, even offering support.

Aside from serving intellectual or uplifting mental food to the masses, however, they are prompted to keep it more personal, recognizing or describing small particles rather than chunks of this event we call life. 

At first, my only reason for creating the website was to inform people of my first book. Soon afterward, however, I recognized it as a chance to share with others much of what I’ve learned over the years as … Read the rest “No, You Aren’t Alone”

Then There Is January

It’s ten minutes after midnight. You decided to stay up long enough to see the ball drop in Times Square. Now, it feels good to turn out the light and slide under the covers. You feel relaxed even if some fireworks are still being set off by some of your neighbors. 

Then comes a lull followed a few seconds later by a dazzling flash of light and a really BIG BANG, then nothing but quiet. 

You smile as you realize the folks had purposely saved the loudest for the last. In dramatic fashion, it signaled that the old year was … Read the rest “Then There Is January”

Hanging Loose While Pulling Tight

No one lived up to that title better than Wade, a guy I met while serving in the U.S. Army. He began the day happy, and insisted on staying that way until the lights went out that night. There was nothing fake about those smiles or him. As a person, he was genuine.

That, however, was only half the story. Although he often laughingly and sometimes with a dash of daring tried to put elastic into a normally hard and fast rule, he never broke one. Fact is, he cast a dim view toward anyone who did.

Looking at Wade … Read the rest “Hanging Loose While Pulling Tight”