My living China Doll
When I was a child, we lived near an apartment complex housing college students. At the end of the school year, the students would give away or sell cheaply whatever they... »
Articles
The change equation
This is a time of great change in the world—technological, economic, religious, political, business, and environmental. The results are seen in governments, organizations... »
Forming new habits
The month of January, when the new year is celebrated in most of the world, is named after the Roman god Janus. Because he had two faces, he could look back on the past y... »
Setting goals. And reaching them.
Some people have been so discouraged when they’ve failed to meet their goals that they’ve given up on having any at all, so that they aren’t disappointed by the “inevitab... »
Perfectly imperfect
I went to the Farmer’s Market this morning and was so pleased to find a good deal on some organic produce. When I got home and pulled the tomatoes out of the bag, however... »
The journey to simplicity
The other day I was listening to a Christian radio program on the way to the gym. Each day they ask a question for their listeners to respond to, either via phone or thei... »
Onwards and upwards into the New Year
A quick glance behind… Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) If you feel that you have made mistakes, taken wrong turns, ev... »
Dream new dreams
Life is all about the little decisions you make every day. Decisions of the past have had their effect, but every new day can be a new start. No matter what has happened... »
Birthday Boy celebration
My entire life so far has been spent in the Northern Hemisphere, and as a result, my body clock is programmed to recognize dropping temperatures and shortening days as su... »
The Christmas star
I’ve always loved red and green poinsettia plants and assumed that it was their vibrant colors that had earned them a place in Christmas decorations. But there is more to... »
Ring the bells
Let the joy of Christmas touch your soul, whether in the peal of bells, the chorus of songs, or the quiet of your heart. There’s plenty to celebrate: Jesus is born! Ring... »
Christmas charades
In charades, the player acts silently while the audience guesses “who” he or she is meant to be. The players in the first Christmas might have appeared like this: [Astoni... »
A Christmas carol
What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? Perhaps gifts, evergreen trees, lights, holly, good food, the birth of the Christ Child, the coming new year, the end of t... »