Here we are between Christmas and New Years, during Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but what's on most minds today is wondering if we can make it to the end of 2016 without hearing of yet another notable person passing away, or more bad news -- locally, nationally or globally -- being transmitted to our brains. If we reflect a little, we'll realize it wasn't ( Read more... )

Several times over the years that I have been doing this monthly poll, I have heard from someone saying, "Thank you for doing this." This Thanksgiving month and week (on the U.S. calendar) I thank you all for taking part. The promise still stands; as long as you respond, I'll keep doing this.

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, ( Read more... )

Old October's purt' nigh gone, And the frosts is comin' on Little heavier every day -- Like our hearts is thataway ( Read more... )

End of the year. Time to look ahead, look behind, look beyond, look within.

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, Indianapolis, I again present my monthly poll. As usual, I'll be bringing the list to church Sunday (as I keep noting, this isn't just a Christian thing, candles for prayer or meditation are used in practically all ( Read more... )

Thank you to the couple who thought I'd be the guy to redesign and restart their newspaper. Thank you to my former employer for letting me down easy. Thank you to veronica_rich for helping me stay in the game. Thank you to friends, family and strangers who helped us during our automotive crises (plural). Thank you to relatives who came up to spend a few days ( Read more... )

As Samhain, All Saints Day, etc. approach, we have much to meditate on as the seasons shift.

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, Indianapolis, I again present my monthly poll. As usual, I'll be bringing the list to church Sunday (as I keep noting, this isn't just a Christian thing, candles for prayer or meditation are used in ( Read more... )

Ash Wednesday seems like a good time to post this, and I'm not even Catholic. For those who partake in Lent, many give up something they don't really need, but letting go feels like a sacrifice, while others take on something they do need, hoping maybe it will become a positive habit beyond Easter. For the rest of us, today is just another "hump ( Read more... )

I know it's already 2015 in Asia, but I'll count this as December 2014's poll, as well as one for reflection on the whole year. No matter how good this past 12 months were for you, here's hoping that the next 12 are better.

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, Indianapolis, I again present my monthly poll. As usual, I'll be ( Read more... )

This would naturally be the month for a lot of "Thanks" wishes, but considering the cold and snowy winter's early arrival (in the U.S.) and the fact that in recent weeks, a couple of my mainly-online friends have passed away, finding the gratitude takes some effort.

We can only try.

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, ( Read more... )

Samhain and All Saints Day are still a week away, but why wait to cast a little light?

Inspired by the candle stands at LifeJourney Church, Indianapolis, I again present my monthly poll. As usual, I'll be bringing the list to church Sunday (as I keep noting, this isn't just a Christian thing, candles for prayer or meditation are used in ( Read more... )