Author Archives: John Swinburn

A real estate agent, who had just placed a for-sale sign in front of the house across the street from ours, said to me: “They had it for sale before, but it didn’t sell, so they took it off the … Continue reading →

The best time to think is early in the morning, that time of day when there’s no pressure to hurry along to the next meaningless attention-grabber.  That dawdling time allows one’s mind to wander into the crevices where thought rarely goes. Ideas … Continue reading →

I am not one to mince words.  Onions, on the other hand…

The monstrous obstruction in front of you was constructed of fear. Muster your courage.  Wade into it with determination.  It will melt into a pool of possibilities.

Nature can serve terrifying reminders that humans are, individually and collectively, pitifully weak and impotent creatures.  The terrifying reminders which sparked my thoughts on the matter took the form of a fierce windstorm and coincidental thunderstorm, replete with an explosive … Continue reading →

The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Shakespeare can teach us a thing or two, … Continue reading →

Give yourself enough rope, you’ll regret every tree you climbed.  Forgive yourself every tree and every noose you wanted to tie but didn’t.  If you won’t, nobody will. And maybe nobody should.

There are moments in which one clearly understands the elasticity of time. Those are much like the rare occasions during which the color of gratitude becomes almost as vivid as the taste of bravery and the aroma of indecision. A willingness to accept that the brain … Continue reading →

I have anecdotal evidence of the importance of State automobile safety inspections.  In Texas, an annual safety inspection is required for all registered cars at a cost to the owner of, I think, $14.50. There is no such requirement in Arkansas.  Since moving … Continue reading →

There’s a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. If I were to count every leaf on every tree, my knowledge of the total number of leaves would be of absolutely no value. Wisdom is to know when to stop counting, and why.

Anger is a manifestation of—what? I wish I knew. I wish I knew what created anger where nothing existed before. I wish I knew how anger grew from a seed that everyone else shares, yet their seeds do not produce … Continue reading →

Today feels like a Costco kind of day—a quick trip to Memphis to buy staples is in the offing. Staples like canned sardines, peanuts, and a large bag of frozen sea scallops. Who can live a full life without such … Continue reading →

Get up early. Drink coffee or tea. Sit for ten minutes and marvel at the clouds, or at the wondrously clear sky, or even the torrential rain falling outside the window. The day will be better for those moments.