A Beacon of Light

“San Francisco has only one drawback — ’tis hard to leave.”  Rudyard Kipling Those who know me are well aware that I enjoy spending days in San Francisco. I was born and raised there. The City will always be “home” to me.  I’ve lived in the South Bay since 1972 — for five years in…

“It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.”  Grantland Rice A popular saying displayed on T-shirts and bumper stickers in the 1980s promoted a hedonistic, yet popular mindset. “He who dies with the most toys wins.” These words were originally attributed to American businessman Malcolm Forbes. Another perspective on life…

“There is no normal life that is free of pain.”  Fred Rogers It seems to sneak up on me when I’m least expecting it. Life can be going along smoothly and everything is great. Striving to be positive in everything I do, and promoting positivity in my writing, seems to be an effective way for…

“Silicon Valley is a mindset, not a location.”  Reid Hoffman If you look at a map of Northern California, you will not see an area designated as “Silicon Valley.” This is because, as LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman so astutely pointed out, “Silicon Valley is a mindset, not a location.” The term Silicon Valley is often…

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe Six weeks ago today, on the morning of June 5th, Brendan was completing the first of his three workouts per day at 24 Hour Fitness in San José. Just a few months earlier, he had launched his new business — True…

“In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.”  Leo Tolstoy This moment, this very moment as you read these words, will never happen again. In fact, it’s gone already. It is a part of your history. You may not retrieve it, nor may you re-live it. This is the…

“There’s no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”  Maya Angelou Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone! Sadly, many believe that their story is insignificant and not worthy of being shared. People often think that their existence has had no real impact on the world or on the lives of those around…

”You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about!”  Larry LaPrise Yeah,… What is it all about? If your answer is “Alfie,” you’re old. The incomparable recording artist, Cher, sang this tune, written by Burt Bacharach, in 1966, two months prior to the release of the movie, Alfie. In…

“Words are potent weapons for all causes, good or bad.” Manly Hall I remember them. You probably remember them, too — hurtful words that people have said to us or about us. I don’t think anyone is immune from the cruelty of others spewing malicious words with the sole intention of making us feel bad…

“How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.”  George Elliston My cousin, Debbie, and I get together for brunch once each month. We’ve enjoyed meals at Jack’s in San Bruno, Copenhagen Bakery in Burlingame, Buck’s in Woodside, and a number of other fine dining establishments up and down the peninsula. Yesterday, we met…