Category Archives: Philosophy

Technological Paranoia

My attorney in Texas uses an AOL email address.  He has used the same address for years.  While an AOL address does not scream “I track with technology trends,” it has, heretofore, been a reliable way to contact him. Until recently. … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Technology | 2 Comments

Rational Choices

A rational choice is not always the right choice.  A choice arising from fear, even a rational fear, is not always a rational choice. I write this morning with an oblique reference few who read these words will understand.  But … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Regret | 1 Comment

I used to be smart…

Today’s Thoughts for the Day got me thinking about things I wrote while wearing the robes of business owner and association executive.  Naturally, after reading the post that was the genesis of my Thoughts for the Day, I spent some … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Walking Each Other Home

I like to read what Anne Lamott thinks.  She and I often seem to be at odds on matters religious, but our philosophies about life align rather well.  The difference, of course, is that she seems to live the philosophies, whereas … Continue reading

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Pointless Dispute

Poetry is a sheath, a protective shell to protect its creator from the ravages of living in the real world. No, the poet responds, poetry is a vision the poet sees clearly; the poem is the poet’s effort to share that vision … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Poetry | 2 Comments

Thinking, as I Sometimes Do

For reasons I don’t fully understand, and could not explain even if I did because they are terrifically complex, I am looking deeply inward as I write this. It occurs to me that most of us probably do not give … Continue reading

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Deep, deep dark

The power here is not dependable.  For the fifth time since we moved here in April, the power is out.  The last time was caused by human idiocy…a car careening into a power pole out of old-age wrecklessness.   This … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Weather | Leave a comment

A Patina of Experience

Last night, I was in “a mood.”   It caused me to write an email to a friend, something I too rarely do.  The message was mostly silliness memorialized in language, but as I read my message this morning, I saw … Continue reading

Posted in Dreams, Philosophy, Serenity, Wisdom | 5 Comments

Recollections of a Broken Spirit

Several years ago, not long after I started the business that I finally abandoned for a sabbatical/ retirement, a guy I knew from a professional association to which I belonged contacted me.  He called me as part of his networking efforts … Continue reading

Posted in Memories, Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 1 Comment

Breaking Out of the Protective Shell

The talk this evening was about local wildlife.  Deer, of course.  And bobcats.  Foxes. Coyotes.  Black bears. Roadrunners. Cougars. Eagles. Hawks.  The list goes one. I’ve only seen a few of the beasts, but neighbors swear they’re all in the … Continue reading

Posted in Moving, Philosophy | Leave a comment

July 4: Thoughts for the Day

My thoughts for today are too lengthy to post in my short “Thoughts for the Day.”  For my thoughts for the day, see my July 4 post from 2013.

Posted in Independence Day, Philosophy, Thoughts For the Day | 1 Comment

A Semblance of Freedom

This evening, I had an epiphany.  I again came to the understanding that I don’t need yet another corporate overlord. So I quit Facebook.  I’ve done it several times before.  And this time may not last.  But it felt right … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy | 6 Comments

My Own Cage

Some days, we question things we shouldn’t question. Some days, we fail to question things that deserve reproach. Some days, we create our own ugly cages from which escape is impossible and, even if it were possible, improper. I see … Continue reading

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Getting “Religion”

Get ready to be surprised, flabbergasted, astonished, and amazed. I went to church today.  No, really.  Not for a wedding or a funeral, but for a Sunday service. An article in last week’s Hot Springs Village Voice newspaper included an … Continue reading

Posted in Church, Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 2 Comments

Slow

At first, the attitude was aggressive.  Nonstop, fast-paced, hard-driving, get it done.  But it slowed after the third day.  The urgency receded, replaced by the recognition that it can’t all be done at once.  Some things take time.  Rushing can only lead … Continue reading

Posted in Moving, Philosophy, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Self-Imposed Privilege

Even those who call themselves champions of every man may set themselves apart as members of an elite group to which only the select few may belong.  That  is why I can be a skeptic.  But not always.  And not today. Doctors … Continue reading

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Good Fortune

Some days, I have to kick myself for failing to adequately appreciate how incredibly fortunate I am. Today is not one of those days. Today, for reasons too convoluted to go into in a short blog post, the breadth and … Continue reading

Posted in Love, Philosophy, Thanksgiving, Wisdom | 2 Comments

The Questions Remain

A scene can play out before your eyes in very different ways. You wait impatiently in your car for an old woman to cross the street as she slowly pulls a grocery cart, cursing under your breath at the fact that … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Adjustments

Living in one place for a long time allows a person to get comfortable with all sorts of things: the fastest way to get from point A to point B; the “best” television stations for weather forecasts; the television channel … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Happiness, Moving, Philosophy, Sense of place | 2 Comments

Pondering

As I sit here, waiting for the time to arrive to go off to observe and discuss the inspection of the house we’re buying, I fret over the amendment to the contract on the house we’re selling. It’s just a … Continue reading

Posted in Housiing, Philosophy | 3 Comments

Baby Steps

I was surprised last night to learn that programming of value is available on the Fox Network.  I suppose I’ve allowed myself to identify Fox only with Fox News, which I find abysmally shallow, slanted, and deeply deceptive.  But there … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Self-discipline | 1 Comment

10 Painfully Obvious Truths Everyone Forgets Too Soon

The title of this post is not mine; it’s the title of someone else’s post I find especially insightful.  So, I won’t attempt to say in my own words what they’ve already said.  I’ll just incorporate their words directly here.

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Comfort

Last night, as I considered what to keep and what to give away in preparation for our impending move, I was struck by the duality of my emotions about this change. I am ready, I think, to explore new ways … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Moving, Philosophy | 2 Comments

Failing

Several years ago (2006, if memory serves), in another life, I arranged for a couple of speakers for one of my clients’ annual conferences.  This association client needed, in my opinion, a dose of self-critical introspection. Some industry players were … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Self-discipline, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Sore

I’m sore. I’m sore that my year-old eyeglasses frames broke yesterday.  I’m sore that I didn’t get them repaired. I’m sore that I didn’t get them replaced.  I’m sore that a replacement will be an expensive proposition.  And I’m sore … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Philosophy | 3 Comments