Posted in everyday wisdom, publishing, spirituality on May 2nd, 2009 No Comments »
In my next few posts, I’ll talk about how the books I listed as “life-changing” made it to that category.
In 1972, I moved from Southern California to the San Francisco East Bay town of Lafayette. I was beginning a new phase of my life as Director of a Catholic retreat and spiritual growth center. About [...]
Posted in spirituality on Apr 29th, 2009 No Comments »
A friend asked me recently, “Of all the books you’ve read, which ones changed your life?” The question stumped me. Although I read on average 30 books a year (many of you must read more), I couldn’t come up with a list on the spot. Oh, I could be glib and say that every book [...]
Posted in faith, spirituality, wisdom on Apr 8th, 2009 No Comments »
A deep sadness fills me when I reflect on Judas’ betrayal of his friend Jesus of Nazareth. I don’t know the moment at which this chosen disciple gave up on hope, when the light in his creative imagination flickered and died. But it had by the time the band of brothers gathered for what turned [...]
Posted in everyday wisdom, spirituality on Apr 2nd, 2009 No Comments »
With a single act of generosity and kindness, Bishop Myriel in Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Miserables, set in motion a cascade of good deeds that blessed the lives of countless people. Easily lost in this act of profligate kindness is the phantom promise that haunted former convict and petty thief Jean Vajean for the [...]
Posted in POD, everyday wisdom, spirituality on Mar 22nd, 2009 No Comments »
“Wisdom is the ability to separate the important from the unimportant . . . and to move toward that which is most worthwhile.”
Posted in everyday wisdom, faith, spirituality, wisdom on Mar 19th, 2009 3 Comments »
Please share with me the wisdom that keeps you going day to day in life. Whether you are 18 or 98, you have something to share with the world about the meaning of life. Send me something you’ve read, seen, heard or have to say on this topic. I will feature it on my various [...]
Posted in faith, motherhood, parenthood, spirituality, wisdom on Aug 13th, 2008 2 Comments »
A dozen or so bodies have been recovered nearly intact from the ancient ruins of Pompei (near Naples, Italy). Three are on public display, encased in plastic for perservation. One touched my heart in a special way and continues to haunt me–a pregnant woman who died in an instant face to the earth.
Some background. My wife and [...]
Posted in faith, spirituality, wisdom on Jul 29th, 2008 1 Comment »
It happened so fast. On the first day of our Mediterranean vacation. I had just paid four euros for a Margherita pizza-to-die-for in a Naples ristorante. A place recommended by Vito, our all-knowing guide through the unearthed ruins of Pompei. I secured my wallet inside my zippered and clasped shoulder bag (a remnant of last [...]
Posted in faith, spirituality, wisdom on Jul 6th, 2008 No Comments »
I am always looking for signs of wisdom in our cockeyed world. Flip the coin and I’m also alert to wisdom gaps around me. On July 4th (232nd birthday of our beloved country), I turned the TV on to watch my Oakland Athletics play the Chicago White Sox. Nothing more American than baseball and barbecue [...]
Posted in RCIA, faith, grief, spirituality, wisdom on May 14th, 2008 5 Comments »
This blog site is devoted to wisdom—what it is, how to arrive at it, and honoring those who possess and exemplify it. The “patron saint” of this site is Jean Valjean, protagonist of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and quintessential wise man of modern literature.
Today, my thoughts turn to a wise man who blessed my life, just [...]
