Category: Reflections

Lots of conversation these days about accountability. To me, though, most of this “accountability” is just about pointing fingers and blaming. There’s nothing wrong with holding people accountable when they’ve done something wrong, but I think we confuse it with a bigger idea. What we really want, I think, is for people to take responsibility. […]

I couldn’t care less. Ever heard that? Ever said it? There’s a conversation. Someone’s passionate about a topic and some cynic reacts dismissively, “I couldn’t care less.” Seems like there’s a lot of I-couldn’t-care-less around lately. Unless the issue is right in our faces and impacts us directly and personally, it’s awfully tempting to turn […]

The time is always right to do what is right. ~MLK When planning the 1963 March on Washington, President Kennedy met with Dr. King and expressed concern that the event was perhaps “ill-timed.” Dr King responded, “Frankly, I have never engaged in any direct-action movement that did not seem ill-timed.” + + + Each year […]

Last time I talked about beginning with a question. “How can I be helpful?” seems like a good place to start. Maybe I’ll add a couple of others. This one comes from the reflections of my friend Jon Swanson. Jon’s a hospital chaplain who tries by example to help us learn to be a bit […]

I’m starting 2022 with a question. Instead of a resolutions or goals, this old teacher prefers long-term, open questions that challenge me and guide my thinking. So I’ll begin 2022 by reminding myself of a question. “How can I be helpful?” It’s a difficult question for me, because this wheelchair guy often feels helpless. I […]

I’m falling back into an old bad habit. There’s no doubt – we’re surrounded right now by negativity. COVID, political divisions, racial tension. Add the work we do with human trafficking, the constant awareness of evil and injustice – it’s sort of taken over my awareness. I’ve surrendered my agency, allowed this sense of foreboding […]

It’s the week for Thank You. Becky and I will be traveling on the big day. No feast. No football. Just us, the road, and whatever fast food is available. No Thanksgiving, I guess. Or maybe it’s not about a holiday. President Lincoln proclaimed the first National Day Of Thanksgiving in 1863. Immersed in the […]