Thinking and Seeing for Better Being
While Waiting Originally written: February 16, 2011 I went to the mall to purchase a gift card from a store aimed squarely at teens. Honestly, it might be more accurate to call it Forever 12, but that name probably wouldn’t pull the same numbers. A few things disturbed me. First—the lines. Long, winding, relentless. The... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat’s something most people don’t understand?View all responses The Throne of Truth (or How a Red Chair Schooled Me at the Botanic Garden) Most people assume rest is about comfort—about soft seats, fewer demands, a little more ease. But I’m learning it’s not. Real rest—the kind that restores you—isn’t found in luxury or... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat do you wish you could do more every day?View all responses Because no one ever looked back and wished they’d spent more time sorting socks. Socks to sort. Ever start the day with grand plans to be productive—maybe write something profound, create something meaningful—only to find yourself reorganizing the junk drawer instead?... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat activities do you lose yourself in?View all responses Why Time Disappears When We Do What Truly Matters People talk about losing themselves in an activity—like it’s some noble vanishing act, a temporary escape from the everyday. But what if we’ve got it all wrong? What if, instead of losing ourselves, we’re actually... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?View all responses How Movies Shape Our Traditions, Gather Us Together, and Remind Us We’re Part of a Bigger Story As a kid, movies and TV weren’t just entertainment; they were events, shaping how I saw the world. Some were pure escape... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhich animal would you compare yourself to and why?View all responses An Encounter in Maine The Slow-Moving, Wise (and Occasionally Confused) Bear If I had to compare myself to an animal, I’d love to pick something impressive—an eagle, slicing through the sky with laser focus, or a lion, roaring orders like a king.... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat is the last thing you learned?View all responses Leaning—to believe you are magnificent and to gradually discover that you are not magnificent—enough labor for one human life. —Czesław Miłosz When I was in third grade, I learned a lesson that I’m still learning and relearning today. It happened in a Catholic school... Continue Reading →
Describe the most ambitious DIY project you've ever taken on. The Most Ambitious DIY Project I Ever Took On: Buying a HouseBuying a house was supposed to be an oasis—a sanctuary, a refuge from the chaos of the world. Instead, it has become a never-ending call to repair beyond my means. Saki once wrote,> "I'm... Continue Reading →
If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why? If I Could Ban a Word, It Would Be… “Ban.” I teach in an inner-city high school. I’ve heard words that make my ears wilt, words so sharp they could slice through a fire alarm cable (not that any... Continue Reading →
What bores you? What Bores You?As a teacher, I’ve heard “I’m bored” more times than I can count. Over three decades in the classroom, I’ve also heard some fantastic responses from veteran teachers:A no-nonsense science teacher I knew would say, “Well, you see, sweety, when I got my teaching degree, it did not come with... Continue Reading →
