Nov 24, 2020Member-onlyHold on Tight at Your Own PerilChange happens. Sometimes it happens all at once with devastating strength. A diagnosis or a loss appear out of nowhere. Other times it is more gradual. I see it out of the corner of my eye but choose to put on blinders. …Transition2 min read
Nov 5, 2020Member-onlyWhile We Wait — Facing My Own Leftist ShadowIt is easy to identify President Trump’s shadow. He calls others liars because he lies. He blames violent behavior on others because he instigates it. He talks about about “law and order,” because he is circumventing the law. He blames others for corruption… go ahead — you can continue and…Trumpism5 min read
Apr 18, 2020Member-onlyCovid-19 News Fatigue, Strategic Ambiguity, and Breaking ResolveThese days, social media lights up with claims that Covid-19 is a lie; that it is no worse than the flu; that social distancing measures are attempts at enforcing “socialism,” etc. Holding tension between our thoughts, feelings, and our actions (or lack of ability to act) in times of such…Strategic Ambiguity5 min read
Apr 12, 2020Member-onlyHope and Renewal April 2020 StyleAt this time of year, major religions offer stories about overcoming obstacles, pain and death. They have rites that make it possible to come together as a community to celebrate a spirit of hope and renewal. Through thousands of years, before our major religions appeared on the scene, people celebrated…Easter2 min read
Apr 9, 2020Member-onlyWe are Fighting Coronavirus… But is it War?Some have likened the coronavirus pandemic to war. And yes, city, state, national, and international leadership must respond, protect citizens, and activate production of needed equipment. Still, comparing fighting a pandemic to war is, as we Danes say, galimatias — it is gobbledygook and makes no sense. A war has…Covid 193 min read
Apr 7, 2020Member-onlyLive Music is an Essential Service— Five Reasons We Feel on Hold Until the Music Returns Live music is therapy, it is joy. Music runs like blood in the veins of humanity. Music has been essential to human wellbeing, togetherness, and strength since long before recorded history began. The making and use of musical instruments…Music5 min read
Apr 3, 2020Member-onlyA Flexible or Certain Approach to Facing the UnknownWhile browsing social media yesterday, I read a statement about our current predicament. It can be summed up as follows: “I don’t care if three million people die in the US, I just want to get on with it. Social distancing kills the economy.” People who make such statements often…Covid 194 min read
Apr 1, 2020Member-onlySociety Hits the Pause Button–Is it Time to Redefine the Meaning of Work?Unemployment numbers are rising. This trend will continue for the foreseeable future. It is painful and stressful. It is scary. Many of us wake up in the middle of the night with our minds racing about how we will be able to meet our financial responsibilities. For many of us…Unemployment4 min read
Mar 29, 2020Member-onlyPolarization and Distrust — A One-Two Punch to MoraleUnderlying our predicament at the moment, is the fact that as before we had to self-isolate, we were already isolated in groups that are deeply suspicious of each other. It is difficult to find common purpose and pull together as a group, when we for years have been telling ourselves…Covid 193 min read
Mar 28, 2020Member-onlyIncubation Blues — Day 9 of the ShutdownIt is as if time crawled for the first seven days. Each day felt like a month. As this new, restricted way of life becomes reality, the days are coming a bit faster. Life settles into a new routine. Dealing with the loss of used-to-be is still right there under…Covid 193 min read