For months since Emmett got his driver’s license, I haven’t understood why he doesn’t just drive. He knows how, after all. This short article will explain it. — Before the pandemic, I bought a French horn and began taking lessons. I wasn’t skilled when I began, but nobody is. It’s not a matter of “you …
Learning (forgiveness) Read More »
My son, age 12, walked me face-first into a telephone pole. I forgave him. This is a story about forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. The family is walking, with our friend Betsy, towards a pizza dinner. Jane and Betsy are chatting and I’m goofing with the kids. I put Emmett’s 12-year-old head under my left hand …
Forgiveness. A Time I did it right. Read More »
0 Likes Beloved reader, Today’s newsletter is not a story with a moral, nor is it a lesson, nor is it some explanation about some aspect of the spiritualigious life. Today’s newsletter is a simple hello. A humble letter. From me to you. About me and my book. …
A letter. From : me • To : you • Re : me & book Read More »
In article 17/40—Hey, I love You—I divulged my penchant for phoning friends for no reason other than to just connect. Here’s another story that follows my doing so. Surprise. (Funny?) After finding one dog’s missing leash in the kitchen and chucking to myself as to why it was there, I leash up both of my …
Surprise! (Funny?) Read More »
******** A long narrative based in my first year of rabbinical school ******** Jerusalem, 1993 Most of my classmates claim two qualities I don’t have. They feel a magnetic pull to the land, and they have heard “callings.” I was never bitten by the Israel bug. To me, it’s a piece of land …
******** My book manuscript is currently with the literary agent. I’m anxious about it and its future. This article set in 1986 is about that. ******** It’s fourth period. Chemistry class. I hate chemistry class. Dr. Nobile. I hate Dr. Nobile. Chemistry is stupid. Dr. Nobile and his ridiculous laugh and …
Constructing a future Read More »
Dr. Wayne Dyer: “I can choose peace rather than this.” Good for him. – Part 1 Los Angeles. Early morning, late spring. Twelve years ago. I pick Nagy up from the porch of his Mid-Wilshire home. He is waiting patiently, wearing saffron robes, perennially jolly, just like one expects …
Anything but peace? No, thank you. Read More »
Marching toward loving my inner critic. A few articles ago, I told you about playing Christmas carols on my horn in Kim’s garage. At that time, I didn’t know that she’d cajole me into joining a marching band. This article is about my first time at marching band practice, a few months ago. The above …
Marching toward loving my inner critic. Read More »
I stand at the front of a diverse group of teens sitting in a well air-conditioned classroom of Pasadena High school. I point to the spunky 15-year-old who introduced herself when she walked in out of the heat, Regina, would you mind bringing yourself and your chair up here to sit facing the wall? I …
Regina Out of the Cave Read More »
**LESSON ONE** Imagine we are not exactly where we are, but instead, we are in some cosmic music academy—a large, beautiful room filled with the most beautiful, shiny french horns. And, imagine that in this magic world, I did my best to encourage growth, minimize shame, and love when learners are learning. (That last part, …
Love-o-SAUR: Four lessons in love Read More »