“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a favorite of mine. Written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, it demonstrates what fiction should do: teach a truth about the human condition. Fiction (good fiction!) usually penetrates the conscience better than direct truth. It’s one reason, I believe, children should still have fairy tales read to them. … Read more
Dealing with a narcissist can be one of the most confusing and painful psychological experiences in one’s life. And if your mother or father was a narcissist (or struggled with narcissistic tendencies), meeting a narcissist can feel like reuniting with family. You might even think, “Ah, I’ve finally found the love of my life.” Illusions. … Read more
“If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” The Zen Buddhist koan is not an endorsement of murder, of course. Buddhists aren’t suppose to harm any living thing, not in according to traditional teachings anyway. The meaning (as I understand it) is simple and can have broad application, far beyond Buddhism: Don’t let … Read more
De la vue qu’encadrait la fenêtre de sa chambre, il retint le bleu lavande du ciel orageux et des collines et les tons rompus de bleu-vert du champ de blé en herbe. — (Steven Naifeh, Van Gogh, 2013) From a letter of Van Gogh to his sister (Paris, 1887): “Now comparing people with grains of … Read more
11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their … Read more
On 21 October I received the dreaded text from a friend in Paris: “Come now. Danielle is in bad condition.” Danielle Moussett (née Menais), the woman I called “my French mom,” was at the end of her battle with pancreatic cancer; Jesus was calling her home. Due to financial constraints and work responsibilities, I had not … Read more
Beginnings Are better than… Endings Breakups Failures Defeats Heartache If you never begin, you will never suffer. But if you never begin, you will never live. You will never know… Victory Joy Love Hope realized Satisfaction of a long journey finished Life is beginnings and risking suffering and suffering risks. Begin.
Assumptions aren’t the truth. But we rely on them all the time. Most normal, everyday communication is built on assumptions whether verbal or nonverbal, electronic or live. Assumptions carry our communications and make them quicker and usually more efficient. When a friend sends a text that reads: “Thanks for being a good fiend!” You don’t pause to … Read more
If you have ever been around cows, you have probably been stared at. Cows are herd animals. They might be big and have horns, but they’re relatively harmless. They stare out of curiosity and fear. Run at them and the bull might charge. Remain quiet and walk away, and they’ll go back to eating grass. … Read more
We’ve all met this person. They have no regrets. They’re never wrong. They never say they’re sorry. It’s somehow always the other person’s fault. Whether this person realizes it or not, they think and live as if the world is their oyster and whatever pearl is to be had is owed them. Usually, this person … Read more