If you’re on a career path outside the arena of the arts, but you sense a gnawing from the subconscious you should be creating through the medium of aesthetics, you may think that ship has sailed. You may have trained for a practical, stable occupation and think there’s no room for distractions that take you […]
In Part One, I related how the education system of the United States rose to prominence in the 20th century…and how it has fallen in world rankings over the last 50 years. I covered some of the reasons for its diminishing effectiveness. In this post, I’ll lay out some of the ways the system can […]
The United States was once ranked at or near the top for its effective public education system. Now that system is in a slide that sees its standing deteriorating more and more with each passing decade. Our children are not reaping the benefit of an education that will prepare them for adulthood and a satisfying […]
One of the best benefits of being a writer is learning about a subject you are intending to inform your readers about while not being an expert. Ideally, we have a reservoir of knowledge from which we draw, but speaking for myself, I have an incomplete education on so many things I want to share […]
There are at least a few terms for it. Steadiness, unruffledness, equilibrium, calm, evenness are several. Diverse leaders encourage it–Buddhists, psychologists, coaches in sports, certain bloggers. Diverse leaders discourage it–mob instigators, dictators, cult heads, certain bloggers. But what is it really? Psychology Today provides a good working definition: Equanimity means to “maintain mental calmness, composure, […]
One of the most shocking things I ever witnessed in person happened during a pickup basketball game in which one of the guys on my team suddenly punched an opposing player right in the face. The player who was struck was knocked out and he slumped to the floor. I could hardly believe what I […]
Let it be known. I am a Star Trek fan–not the biggest one, but I truly respect the series in most of its TV and movie versions. There have been a few I had no interest in, and I made the judgment that when Gene Roddenberry died, the quality would fall short in vision and […]
In my recent post titled “Election Day Blues,” I voiced my worry that American voters may show they have succumbed to delusion and joined the ranks of extremists who have lost sight of certain elements of societal truths. The mid-term 2022 elections helped allay my fears. The Orange Wave (Red Wave to most) didn’t materialize. […]
Much of what follows will be opinion. The historical content is not. As a citizen of a country deeply divided at least politically and probably socially, I’m dreading the outcome of the 2022 mid-term election. The results may take us further along a path I’m opposed to and which frightens me. I cannot let this […]
Do you have any possessions handcrafted by an artisan? Do you know an artisan personally? I believe these objects and these people are treasures and should be admired as such. Looking around, I see a blanket we bought in Mexico many years ago that was probably woven on a traditional loom. My grandmother on my […]