Confession: This has nothing to do with the sordid tale of the popular book or mini-series by this name, as the subtitle of the article surely reveals. Instead, I use “handmaid” as it was commonly used in Bible times – as that of a female servant. Moreover, I use it the way traditional writers used “man” or…
Trigger warnings, safe spaces, and middle-age orneriness
Dear College/University Student, Please forgive me if I don’t understand your need for Trigger Warnings and Safe Spaces. Forgive me not understanding how vital it is to your mental health and wellbeing to be sheltered from all adversity and opposing ideas. Let me explain where I am coming from and maybe, if in your safe…
Christmas brings the King who trumps all presidents
While millions wring their hands and fret that a terribly unqualified man is days from assuming the position of “leader of the free world,” aka, the presidency of the United States of America, I take comfort in knowing that presidents, kings, and rulers rise to power, relinquish it, find favor with the people and…
Election 2016: Make America Grateful Again
It is time to make America grateful again. The 2016 contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will go down in American history as one of our most divisive and rancorous elections. The divide between left and right was deep when it began, deepened during the process, and has never seemed deeper than it is…
Leadership 101: Make no place for foolish pride
As you read the following, keep in mind: Effective leadership requires a certain vulnerability. They say confession is good for the soul. So, here goes: It is a sad fact of my flawed nature that, too often, the less certain I am on a matter, the more vociferous and vehement my argument. In other words,…
Leadership 101: Influence requires investment
Influence requires investment. If you had to define leadership in one word, what better could you find than influence? Leaders effect change because leaders influence. Leaders achieve goals because leaders influence. Leaders are only leaders to the extent they influence. I remember bits of a sermon an evangelist passing through our little west Texas town preached…
The Dance of the Insane – or – The Direction of the Informed?
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Friedrich Nietzsche I was in the house alone, except for my English Setters, Huck and Finn. I was lustily singing a Willie Nelson song to the plaintiff guitar strumming in my head. The dogs couldn’t hear…