Vin — the gracious, wise, humane, and compassionate observer of so many human encounters — said the key for him to going on with his life was to “stop asking why.” I will remember that.
Honor and Trust: What a Gift
In a small town, you can operate on trust and honor. What a gift.
A-C-T-S: A Simple Form for Personal Prayer
Decades ago, I came across a simple structure for personal prayer I’ve used countless times since.
Turning Towards the Serene Light
The “Serene Light” prayer is a gem that I’ve turned to again and again and have always been grateful for where it leads me. Perhaps it can also be useful to you.
What To Do With a Prized Salmon? (a summer rerun)
So much of our culture is about gaining control over things and making them our possession. In that moment, I realized that perhaps the best thing we can do is to give thanks for a shining moment, and then let it go.
We’ve All Come to Look for America
We’ve “all come to look for America,” and the quest may never end. But to me, it’s all about The Dream.
He Thanked 46 Coworkers in Ten Minutes — Now It’s Up to You
There are many things to be despondent about in the world these days. But it’s a good practice to take time to remember those who have made our workplaces positive environments for labor and learning.
Tasting the Magic Waters
Remembering our mistakes helps us to stay humble and keep learning how to do better. Focusing only on the good we’ve done may seem selfish. But maybe, once in a while, we can close our eyes and imagine sampling those waters – tasting what it’s like to have our regrets washed away, then savoring a pint of gratitude for the good things we’ve done.
“Beholding” as a Spritual Practice
The quality of attention we bring to someone else is a moral act. If we are truly paying attention with humility and genuine respect, we are granting that person dignity. We are beholding them.
Status and Community: A Tale of Two Lives
We seem wired to create and maintain identities for ourselves that can make us think some people are “better’ than others. But in my experience, beneath the facades, we are all human beings trying to find our way in life. On that journey, humility, friendship, and community are priceless gifts.
Steve Jacobsen, Ed.D 