Apology Tour: Saying Sorry Can Help Heal
April 8, 2019 living
When I was a kid, my mother corrected me for issuing a conditional apology, pointing out that if your apology includes a “but” or excuse, you’re not sincerely apologizing. …
The Fallacy of Both Sides in American Politics and Policymaking
March 27, 2019 politics
All too often in our political discourse we hear about both sides. For years, our news style has furthered this construct, exemplified by the blue and red maps showing …
No Regrets? Maybe Just a Few
March 25, 2019 living
Do you live with any regrets? What can you learn from them? I have a few. In no particular order (and this is not exhaustive): Dropping a Motorcycle Dropping …
Who is Really Aggrieved? Why So Much Anger and Hate
March 15, 2019 politics
I recently received a thoughtful response in a social media thread from a former colleague when I was complaining that way too many people are ticked off about way …
The Reflex – How We Default to the Angriest Response
March 5, 2019 politics
Yes, we all expect reactions to political news to drip with contempt. Many news articles now seem crafted to maximize fury. But what about macaroni and cheese? The other …
Why an Old House on the Texas Bayou Gives Me Hope
March 1, 2019 living
Social media takes a beating as the bogeyman of our society, and often deservedly so when it unmasks bad people, mean-spirited sentiments and unleashes fury. But, it can still …
Food Fights: Political Debates around the Family Dinner Table
February 27, 2019 politics
Watching my Grandpa separate ravioli, I knew two things for certain: Grandma’s luscious Sunday tomato “gravy” would be served shortly and then Grandpa would lead a raucous political discussion …
Rays of Light – Be That Person
February 26, 2019 living
Did you hear about the psychopaths uploading suicide instructions to YouTube Kids? It seems like the latest example of myriad ways in which people expose themselves to be absolutely …
Losing Our Minds in the Misinformation Age
February 20, 2019 politics
Imagine a scenario in which people start forgetting basic things, such as air traffic controllers losing the ability to conduct their operations. Lawyers forgetting their arguments. People from all …
Change is Hard. It’s Really Hard
February 12, 2019 living
Change is good is a ridiculous cliché. The outcome might be good, but the change process is often really hard. One year during Lent, I appreciated a pastor suggesting …