A brief 30 second discussion during an hour-long podcast triggered this blog post. The podcast was discussing the Beatitudes within Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. The discussion was around solidarity versus charity. I had never considered the difference before and upon reflection, wow, what a game changer. Charity is defined as both an organization set […]

My ‘One Word’ for 2026 is Attention. As an alternative to setting New Year’s resolutions, I am an advocate of the One Word concept. I have found this extremely beneficial, far more effective than making a list of resolutions. It is simple and powerful. It helps keep a steady focus throughout year. The challenge is

It was Pope John Paul II who described solidarity as a social virtue. Solidarity is defined as unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest. It consists of mutual support within a group. Solidarity as a social virtue is the strong and unwavering commitment to the common good of

Out of all the events and people that unfold in our lives, there are certain people, memories and images which linger, despite seeming so every day, so trivial, so unimportant. Why? They leave a lasting impression. A lasting impression is an impression that remains long after it has happened. It stays and can even change

I continue to be amazed as to the sources of content for my blogs. This past weekend two separate and unrelated experiences echoed a linked message. A message that has been front of my mind and heavy on my heart. On Saturday while walking around Colonial Williamsburg, we sat in on one of their Nation

We have become a society that relishes “Drop the Mic” moments, yet these moments do not recognize the hard work required for change. Instead, we should “Pick Up or Pass the Mic”, which is how the work gets done. The “mic drop” implies an exit or ending, but “picking it up” is an instruction to

This is a rewrite from my blog of November 2020 As I rewrite this blog to make it current, one of my closest friends from college is undergoing surgery to remove his pancreas due to pancreatic cancer. This cancer claimed the life of my friend and neighbor last summer. Last week I attended the funeral

As far back as I can remember, there were Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house. I come from a big Irish American family where generations blended and overlapped. The scene would be Aunts, Uncles, cousins, second cousins once removed and would often be as many as 25 to 35 people. It was how the family

From someone who has a blog titled, “Hope is not a Strategy”, this is an interesting title. My issue with ‘hope’ is when it is used as a verb. A verb means work and sitting around hoping is not work. I have no issue with ‘hope’ or in this case, hopeful, when it is a