In A Prominent Bar in Secaucus One Day

Sometimes stories make the point more effectively

“Many people die with their music still in them.” – Oliver Wendell Homes, Sr. There has been a lot of heavy stuff happening of late. Let’s lighten up — just a bit — with another visit to the poetry corner. Here is a 2007 poem by X. J. Kennedy: In a Prominent Bar in Secaucus […]

Devote Yourself to the Process – Part II

“Not all who wander are lost” – J. R. R. Tolkien In Part I, we discussed the importance of committing to the process of becoming the man you were created to be.  We noted that this is a long-term campaign, not a quick trip to the corner store.  Now, I want to expand on the […]

Devote Yourself to the Process – Part I

“When all else fails, read the directions.” – Bob Smith If you’ve ever built anything, cooked anything or learned anything, no doubt you followed a series of steps to bring the desired outcome to fruition.  If you’ve decided to live a life of consequence, and you’ve begun to discover your purpose, and you’re developing a […]

What Are You Doing Here? – Discover Your Purpose

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”  – Howard Thurman (1900-1981) In the movie Boyhood, the young protagonist asks his father what it all means.  Their conversation goes like this: Mason: So what’s the point? Dad: […]

The Role of Hardship in Shaping Character

“Endure hardship as discipline…”   – Hebrews 12:7 I never liked the word discipline. It always made me think of punishment — and I didn’t care for punishment.  Losing privileges, being sent to my room, having my allowance docked — I never liked any of it.  The worst, however, was corporal punishment — the dreaded […]

Decide to Live a LIfe of Consequence – Part I

Happy New Year!  I hope your 2015 will be one of significant growth and progress toward becoming the man you were created to be. Around this time, many people make resolutions for the new year.  Some of these are vague — so nebulous as to be useless — such as, “I’m gonna get in shape.” […]

Books Are Your Friends — Your Friends Are Your Destiny

“The literary man re-reads, other men simply read.”                                                                                   – C. S. Lewis I once […]