The above quote from the Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tzu, fascinates me. Ā What? Why? It doesn’t make any sense! Ā Paradox (n): a seemingly contradictory or absurd statement that expresses a possible truth. Ā Consider this: Ā The heart does not try to perform the job of the lungs. The sun does not attempt to shine during the night. Autumn leaves die and fall to the ground to feed the soil beneath them. Tulips do not attempt …
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I believe angels surround us and they present themselves in the most unlikely circumstances. I am blessed to have witnessed the example I feature in this post. Ā The Coast Guard Academy (CGA) Bears’ Men’s Basketball team squared off against their formidable Division III opponents, the #7-ranked MIT Engineers. Being a supporter of the Bears, I was cautiously optimistic, but hopeful they could win. Ā Early in the game, Coast Guard’s team-chosen captain took an elbow to the head splitting …
There are leaders who strive to be in a position of strength and upon reaching their goal, they command respect. These people are known as leaders-first. There are also leaders who humbly accept the nomination of their peers to help guide them toward their goals. They are known as servants-first. Of course there are leaders who are not well-skilled to handle the responsibilities of their position and would feel more content in being a follower. And there are those who …
Shortly after sunrise on a late spring morning, I walked to the end of the dock at my sisterās and brother-in-lawās house. After seeing the name of their boat, Next Chapterā¦, a heaviness of emotions consumed my chest. The quiet activity of Cornfield Creek provided a perfect backdrop while I contemplated life and sipped my coffee in the comfort of an Adirondack deck chair. I watched a bonded pair of osprey alternate nest and possible egg maintenance duties. A variety …
Within you, exists a power to change lives. I beg of you to respond when someone calls to you for help. A friend reached out to my wife, Cathy, with an urgent plea. āMy neighbor is pet-sitting two dogs; one of them, Piper, escaped. Is Peter available to help?ā āHe’s in a training appointment, but we will help as soon as he’s done.”Ā In my 13 years as a dog trainer, Iāve helped a handful of wayward “problem pooches” reunite with …
While cleaning out a closet, I found a five page memoir my mother had written about the homeĀ where she lived as a child. Today, I write this blog post for my parents. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for raising me in a lovingĀ home. Thatās me in the picture above with my first and best friend, Rusty, playing in our front yard.Ā 1Ā Keen Court was the address of my learningĀ laboratory. It was a small lab; there were only two houses on our …
Ā I am lost, really freaking lost. The āYOU ARE HEREā signs surround me, and they look familiar, but I donāt know where I am. Over the past 30 years, Iāve needed to find my direction many times. I unconsciously visit this destination frequently. Itās filled with storm clouds and a growing intensity to the winds-of-change which threaten destruction. Despair and discontent engulf me like the thickness of a humid day. I donāt like being here! During my last visit to …
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