Author Archives: John Swinburn

I read recently about how to recognize cues that one is under stress. The idea is to “check in on” one’s body to see if there are tightened muscles, clenched fists, furrowed brow, etc. When one identifies those cues, it’s … Continue reading →

Cynicism and skepticism are valuable attributes, but only when used in moderation.  When they assume the role of life-view, they become cages.

When the urge strikes to get the latest tech device, or any other luxury item for that matter, it’s helpful to take a few moments to try to assign a value between 1 and 10 to that item.  Then, use … Continue reading →

Keeping ones’ knives sharp ensures they will be ready when a sharp knife is the only tool that will do.

There is a point at which even the most even-tempered person will snap.  I have no personal experience with this, though, as I am not even-tempered.

If you’re looking for pearls of wisdom, you need not look far.  The world is your oyster. There is insight everywhere. Knowledge ripe for the picking abounds.   There’s no trick to it; just be open to learning from everything … Continue reading →

Symbols and cymbals both can make quite a lot of racket. As in “there’s a lot of symbolism in that burning cross” and “there’s a lot of cymbalism in that percussion section.” I know cymbalism is not a word in … Continue reading →

Even in the wee hours of the morning, I cannot find a place that’s absolutely quiet, at least not here in my house.  There’s the constant background hum of computers, the whisper of the refrigerator’s fan, the sounds emitted by … Continue reading →

I heard a news story yesterday on NPR, describing how satellite “pings” from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 were used to infer the jet’s position at specific points in time.  Listening to the explanation of how time-stamps of the pings, coupled with knowledge of … Continue reading →

There are days when I feel compelled to express appreciation for good people…people who are nice, helpful, friendly, happy, decent human beings.  Many days.  This is one of them. Tomorrow will be one.  Yesterday was one.  Those days seem to … Continue reading →

I read an article recently about a kid who lived with the debilitating disease that ultimately claimed his life. He knew for at least twelve years the disease would rob him of adulthood, but he insisted on enjoying what life … Continue reading →

Some days, cleaning the house is an extremely satisfying endeavor.  It’s not just the result, a clean house, that’s appealing; it’s the process.

It is perfectly all right, on occasion, to choose cereal and cold milk instead of a “cooked” meal for breakfast.

I am reasonably confident there will come a time when all human life is a thing of the past. How strange to consider that, one day in the future, the self-absorption which at least in part defines humanity, will be … Continue reading →

If I want to feel the influence of gravity from a safe distance, I might want to sit closer to the moon or visit the Bay of Fundy.

When I recall walking barefoot on the beach as a kid, my feet leaving imprints, the memory can be so vivid I almost feel my toes sink into in the wet sand.  When I attempt to recall my time in high … Continue reading →