A Beacon of Light

“If you buy what you don’t need, you steal from yourself.”  Swedish Proverb Talking or writing about money is something I try to avoid. Through a lifelong process of trial and error, I learned the importance of distinguishing between wants and needs. I also learned about the value of deferred gratification and avoiding unnecessary debt.…

“There are only two seasons: winter and baseball.”  Bill Veeck, Jr. What a great family tradition! When the San Francisco Giants vacated Candlestick Park and moved their show to 3rd & King Streets in The City, my sister, Cathy, together with a group of her friends, purchased a season ticket package for two seats in…

“If you turn off the news and talk to your neighbors, you’ll find that our country is far more harmonious than you’re being told.”  Rob Schneider At the beginning of each of the last twenty years of my teaching career, I would ask my students the same question: “Do you think the world is basically…

“一期一会”  (Ichi-go ichi-e)  Translation: “One encounter, one chance.”  – Sen no Rikyū This weekend did not turn out as planned. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I had nothing planned at all. When I woke up yesterday morning, Kathy asked me what I had going on for the day. I mentioned that I…

“Men desperately want and need the approval of their father.”  Kevin Carroll  A Moment’s Pause for Gratitude p. 146 It happened again tonight. I wasn’t surprised by it at all, since it has happened just about every day for the past sixteen years, and, most often, multiple times each day. I opened my computer this…

“Capital of Silicon Valley” Mayor Tom McEnery  1988 San José was the first capital of the State of California. Sacramento has held this honor since 1854. In 1988, however, due to San José’s innovation, cultural diversity, affluence, and pleasing Mediterranean climate, as well as its connection to the booming high tech industry, San José Mayor…

“We all have the duty to do good.”  Pope Francis I Pope Francis was not your typical pope. He was down-to-earth. His papacy was characterized by his humility and his constant concern for the poor and vulnerable. Born in Argentina in 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. During his years as…

“Customers now are much more aware of who they’re buying from and want to buy from businesses that care about their products and their customers.”  Deborah Sparks Downtown Nassau, most notably on and around Bay Street, offers dozens of small shops that sell souvenirs of The Bahamas. Of all the stores along this main downtown…

“If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home.”  Malala Yousafzai One week in paradise — it’s been wonderful. I stayed at a hotel (Courtyard by Marriott) where I had the pleasure of staying two years ago. Many of the hotel staff greeted me warmly when I arrived. I met a number of…

“The six best doctors: sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise, and diet.”  Wayne Fields I most certainly agree with these insightful words by Wayne Fields, author of several books, including What the River Knows. While I find his list insightful, I believe it is incomplete. I can’t blame the author for this, however. Clearly, he has…