It’s easy to be a spectator, to watch things happen from afar. We cheer, we boo, we criticize, analyze; we watch and listen with judgmental eyes and ears. Spectators have nothing to lose; there’s no personal stake in it. But when you’re all in, down in the trenches sweating in an on your knee’s  moment, using every last shred of strength to overcome, just trying to keep your head above water so you can take your next breath, you know you’re in the game. You’re walking that tightrope without a...

Holiday cards, not many people send them these days. I suppose they don’t hold much meaning anymore living in this digital world. But I received one the other day that brought a smile to my face. It was from a former student. The card had a montage of pictures taken of him over the past year. The last time I saw him he was probably around thirteen. The photos now looking back at me was the face of a young man who seemed very happy. When I looked at the envelope return address, my eyes filled...

Dolce far niente,  an Italian philosophy of life meaning the sweetness of doing nothing. Some call that fly-fishing, yoga or a walk on...