I never even thought about my parents having sex. In retrospect, I’m sure they did—there are six of us children and only occasional suspicions about parentage. –from The Birds and the Bees…(7/21/2013)
To make a resolution implies that one is capable of change in a positive direction. As long as we operate on that principle, we can move forward in this world. The most stifling six words to the human soul are: “That’s just the way I am.” –from I do hereby resolve… (1/1/2012)
But there is really only one thing I will miss about my job—you. Of all the manifold pleasures God has created for us, the most exquisite ones revolve around people. The importance of family is obvious. The joys of friendship are undeniable. I think real fulfillment extends beyond these. It’s the countless other people who pass through our lives—the acquaintances, the co-workers, the unexpected encounters, the interest sharers—who give us the chance to shine. In my case, it’s the students who passed through my classroom, the hallways, the tennis courts. –from My Next Career (6/12/2013)
I give you John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath as another example. If you can read that without being moved by the plight of the poor, I don’t know where your heart is. A good book which inspires you to become a better person becomes a great book. –from A good book… (1/16/2012)
Conversation is an art, and art involves taking risks and self-revelation and exploration. The people I enjoy talking to most are the ones who don’t censor themselves too tightly—who are honest and open and funny and maybe even a little off-putting at times. I like conversations that surprise me. –from Insert Foot in Mouth (7/7/2013)
Because that seems to be where the battle line is drawn; a willingness to listen is an expression of interest in the inner workings of someone else’s mind, and the desire to speak is a determination to trumpet the inner workings of your own. –from A good listener… (1/29/2012)
In an earlier blog entry I said that children are God’s way of teaching us unconditional love. Marriage is His way of humbling us by demonstrating how consistently we fall short of that lofty goal. –from Spousal Arguments… (2/6/2012)
Karen has a special thing for weed-whacking. Not for doing it, but for having it done. For her, a mowed lawn without it is like peanut butter and bread without the jelly. And she wants peach preserves—none of that grape crap. Personally, I think a man’s lawn should reflect his character, and God knows I’m a little rough around the edges. –from Mowing the lawn… (5/28/2012)
So how does this work out, me and God and golf, on a practical level? Please don’t think I am so spiritually immature to think that God is blessing me when I’m playing well and disciplining me when I play badly. Results oriented interpretation of the will of God is utter bombast. That’s like sports fans who pray to God for their team to win. –from God and the 5th Hole (7/28/2013)
Teachers and writers share a common job hazard—they mostly don’t get to see the effect of their work. The lessons you impart are planted internally. The kid leaving the classroom looks the same as the kid who came in. It is usually a matter of faith that something positive happened. Have faith. –from My Retirement Speech (6/14/2014)
I remember after the 2007 championship I came up with the following body analogy for the Spurs core: Pop is the Brain, Timmie is the Soul, Manu is the Heart, and Tony is the Penis. (I know that makes Tony sound like a dick, but, c’mon guys, where would you be without your penis?) Now I have to add to the analogy. Kawhi, quite obviously, is the Hand, and R.C.—well, R.C. must be God, who knows and sees all things, and understands how it all fits together. –from Cinco Anillos (6/23/2014)
I can remember in a book group discussion I had one time, the prevailing opinion was that Jesus was a wonderful teacher, a peerless role model, a proof of what exists inside us all. If I had to follow that Jesus, I would wither in despair. It would be like being presented with a brand new shiny Corvette and not having the keys or any other means of starting the engine. Nice to look at but basically useless. He lives. –from Hello Jesus—my true confession (11/16/2017)
Great post.