This week there was a cloud of rain that moved across the water towards our house followed by a heavy rain. When it finally stopped the sun broke through and there was an amazing rainbow in bright colors starting at the water level at the end of Vashon Island and curving through the sky to a point a mile away where it ended in the water as well. We came out for a better view and after enjoying the unusual sight…
Fr. Leo Rock is a Jesuit priest who wrote a reflection he entitled "An Examination of My Use of Time" which I found thought provoking and worth mediating over. I hope you find something here to reflect on as well. Here's what he wrote: Killing Time How do I kill time? Let me count the ways. By worrying about things Over which I have no control. Like the past. Like the future By harboring resentment And anger Over hurts Real…
Today, January 24th, is the annversary of the death of a great coach and mentor to me, William Taylor. I've published a full account of my high school relationship to this great coach and his profound influence in my life: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/01/william-taylor-1922-2002-coach-and-mentor.html Many of us can point to one person or perhaps several people who played significant roles in our life. People who made the difference at a tipping point in our lives. Someone whose words or actions changed our attitude…
I came across a website, “Want to know info” which had inspirational stories. http://www.wanttoknow.info/060520inspirationalstories There were multiple examples of failure turned into success. Many I had read before, but this was such an excellent collection I recommend it to you. The website says the stories were compiled from two excellent books by Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul and A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul Here are some examples that were described. …
One more note about my friend Dan Sullivan who died last Sunday morning. In 1991 I received a large box from Dan. Inside was an antique framed print of a majestic lion standing on a rock. Accompanying the print was a letter from Dan which read: November 19, 1991 Dear Paul, When I discovered this in a little shop in London my mind went back twenty five years when we were young with fires in our belly. This old marvelous print embodies…
My friend of many years Daniel Sullivan died of lung cancer the morning of July 1, 2012 in Seattle. He was 86 years old. His wife Susan was with him when he died. Lita and I had just visited with Susan and Dan last Wednesday before leaving the next day for a talk I was giving out of state. I'm thankful for that opportunity to say goodby without realizing it was good by. Dan was a plaintiff's trial lawyer who acomplished so much in his life. He was…
Here are some thoughts about attitudes as we grow older. Maybe there is something here that will benefit you. The first is the thoughts of a Jesuit priest as he grew older. It has been reproduced many times. Prayer of an aging Jesuit Dear Lord, teach me to grow gracefully, help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duty; when it no longer seems to seek my views. Rid me…
Nick Petrish died this morning at his home in Anacortes. Nick and I were friends since our days as grade school students at the Whitney Grade school in Anacortes over 70 years ago. We also went through Junior High and High School together. At Anacortes, we played on the same football and basketball teams (although he was younger and a better athlete than I was). Our lives remained joined since that time. In fact, we ended up spending the majority…
In the 1933 movie In their Own League Tom Hanks as the manager to Gleena Davis star catcher who’s going to quit the team because it’s so hard. He says to her: "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would be doing it. It's the hard that's makes it great.” Mike James when leaving King TV in 1993 to run for office, gave advice to newscasters: "don't waste the viewer's time. Make sense. Speak English. Use half…
