Friend,
for numerous years I have posted personal reflections as a two-fold
exercise in (1) attempting to stay centered on, while thoughtfully
reflecting upon, the vital elements of Life and (2) providing
food for thought and/or inspiration and encouragement for anyone
who might happen across these reflections. I chose these reflections
to be written in such a fashion as if spoken while we walked along
an early morning wooded glen. They would come to be known as Our
Morning Walks.
And
although the venue has changed [as I now envision us jogging along
that same wooded glen], the purposes have not changed. I hope
you find some - any - inspiration along these personal thoughts
on the road.
OUR
MORNING WALK
for
the Week of January 26, 2009
"It
can never be enough..." I remember these words vividly and
passionately spoken by my father during one Christmas season in
the early 1980s. It was that time of year - a perennial Christmas
tradition - where my father would be made joyously aware of how
blessed he was and he would be made painfully aware of so many
people were still in such great need. To that end, we would toast
to the health of the world, pledge to do what we could in the
coming year and my father would say, under his breath, "It
can never be enough..."
For
the longest time, I was always under the belief that in order
for charity to have that profound and lasting impact, it had to
be on a grand scale; it had to be an effort that affected the
most individuals using the greatest amount of good. I was under
that belief... until recently... more
OUR
MORNING WALK
for the Week of November 24, 2008
In
large black lettering, on a completely white background, it stands
silently. That is the complete message of this particular billboard
as it quietly stands watch along Interstate 29 on the North Dakota
border.
It is a message, a billboard that has been in place for quite
some time as those around it systematically have changed to continually
pace the onset of new products and businesses. There are no other
words, acknowledgments or endorsements in small print on this
particular sign. It doesn't advocate a particular holiday or a
specific religious organization. And it doesn't promote a political
ideology or a marketing framework. It is simply two words that
are very difficult to ignore along the throughway of Interstate
29... and along the path of our journey.
On
our morning walk today, my friend, I am going to ask you participate
in a short activity with me...
more
