The following is a list of the lessons I learned, beliefs that were strengthen, and/or topics which frequently came up in discussions with other while walking the Camino. Walking the Camino provided a wonderful opportunity to consider what makes a meaningful life. TL;DR The “Big” … “Lessons from the Camino”
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The next 2-3 years we will be renting our home out as we explore living other places. We are living out of 1-2 bags, and Jackie has some capsule wardrobes that are stored in a location we can periodically access. Traveling actually started a couple … “Traveling Begins”
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I retired this pasted summer so I would have more time to pursue my interests. I decided to sign up for psychology class at Foothill college for several reasons: I am interested in psychology, and thought having introduction class would ensure I had a broad … “Remote College Classes are Painful”
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Nearly fifty years ago I was looking through a book of early Peanuts cartoons while I waited for my violin lesson. One of the comics showed the simple pleasure of a cool breeze on a hot day. Since that day whenever I feel a cool … “simple pleasures – cool breeze”
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TL;DR Community is better than being self-sufficient Transformed lives are better than many lives impacted but not self propagating We are adaptable We can be content and grateful with just the necessities Why Worry? My three rethinking posts (part 1, part 2, and this one) … “Midlife Reset (Part III) ReThinking 10 Years Later”
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In part I shared several of the changes that had a high impact on my mid-life reset in 2011 after my wife passed. Ten years later I am even more confident that those were were worthwhile. In this post I am going to reflect on … “Midlife Reset (Part II) – Money”
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I am troubled by the increasingly polarized “discussions” I hear on many podcasts, in social media, and in person. I am not just talking about politics. I see the same sort of thing when people are discussing diets, system architectures, training programs, or child raising. … “Certainty”
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I recently talked with a student I mentored years ago about some mid-life course corrections he was considering. This prompted me to think about my mid-life transition in 2011-2012 as I grappled with losing Libby to cancer. The follow is a remembrance of what changed … “Midlife Reset (Part I)”
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TL;DR Treating others as valuable by taking the time to really listen and to be present in the moment is one of the most impactful practices anyone can engage in. Not thinking about what’s next. Not thinking about how to respond, but giving people our whole attention. A friend … “Respectful Presence”
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TL;DR I became intrigued by the digital nomad lifestyle in the 1980s. I got to know a number of the early digital nomads, and follows many more via blogs and websites. In later years Rolf Potts noted one of my early travel pages as providing … “A “Digital Nomad” Experiment”
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TL;DR Contempt is extremely corrosive and will destroy relationships and society if not countered. Rather than encouraging people to repair a breach, contempt encourage people to separate, widening the gap. The solution is to truly listen to people you disagree with, looking for how you … “Against Contempt”
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I recently came across a wonderful interview which featured Eugene Peterson and Bono talking about the Psalms. I was touched by both mens’ humility, their genuine friendship, and their love for the Psalms. There is also a nice follow-up series of mini interviews between David … “In Appreciation of Bono”
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Last month I heard a story on NPR’s marketplace show about how policies concerning bourbon illustrate the long standing urban-rural divide in our country. It was an interesting piece, but not one I expected would have any impact on my life. A month later some … “You never know when a NPR marketplace story will be useful”
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A friend recently asked “If you could watch only one movie, what would it be?” This is an incredibly hard question. In the end, my answer was the documentary Weapons of the Spirit, a story of the town Le Chambon that sheltered around 5,000 jews … “Favorite Movies”
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These are notes I made for myself when I was considering a career change many years ago. Last week several friends indicated an interest my notes so I am sharing them here. At some point I would like to flesh this list out with more … “Make a Difference”
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I have been reading Thinking Fast and Slow which I would highly recommend. If you have read a summary and think you know what’s in the book you are wrong. I think it takes example after example to actually internalize how easily we are influenced … “Confirmation Bias and Shoes”
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In the book A Praying Life, Paul Miller asserts that we shouldn’t focus on prayer (the method) but rather God (the object). Miller has a very high view of prayer. He expect prayer to accomplish things. Not because we are somehow manipulating God, but because … “Replace Prayer List with "Cards"”
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Truth is the only thing worth standing on. Lies, falsehoods, secrets, excuses, might seem expedient, but they are like quicksand. They will drown your life if you walk in them. Lies can only hurt people and will rot away your heart and conscience. Secrets limit your ability to share fully with others and hurt your inner life until exposed by the healing light of truth and honesty.
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In 2001 I created a list I called “Books that Changed Me.” Alas, the title of that list should have been “Books I Recommend“. While I believe the books in that list are worth reading, I can’t honestly say most of them have changed me. I made … “Books that Really Changed Me”
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