“It is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention.  If you are wrong, no matter, you have learned something and you grow stronger.  If you are right, you have taken another step toward a fulfilling life.”
                                                                                               – Bryce Courtenay

Last Tuesday I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Berks County.  The early morning session began like so many others, with attendees networking, engaging in casual discussion, and enjoying breakfast and fellowship.  Following the meal, the Executive Director and a member of Habitat’s Board made a short presentation designed to provide attendees with an update regarding projects recently completed and those in planning.

…

“Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push.

 A smile. A world of optimism and hope.

 A ‘you can do it’ when things are tough.”

                                                                                                    – Richard M. DeVos

2020 is off to a rough start.  Not two weeks into a new year and a new decade, we are at the brink of war with Iraq, our President awaits trial in the Senate, the Australian continent is burning, and the Eagles have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs. …

“Vision is the art of seeing

what is invisible to others.”

                                                                                                    –  Jonathan Swift

We’re not three days into the new year and I’m already feeling guilty, as I am about six months overdue for an eye exam.  To make matters worse I serve on a Foundation Board with my optometrist and we had a meeting yesterday.  Following the meeting and after exchanging New Year’s wishes she stated, “I haven’t seen you in a while, how’s your vision?”  She listened politely as I struggled through an answer and then simply smiled and said, “Give the office a call and we will get you in quickly. …

2019; it was a good year for me and I hope the same for you.  As I reflect I can recall accomplishments of both a personal and professional nature, days filled with smiles and happiness (the “Wolfpups” and family time getting credit for many of them), and late night moments of stillness that fostered personal reflection and conversations with my Dad.  Likewise there were challenges, but without them life would be boring; I’m stronger now because of those challenges, so keep ‘em coming in 2020!

…

Have you finished your shopping?  Perhaps I should ask, have you begun?  My understanding is that yesterday was actually the biggest shopping day of the year.  What I always find of interest is the difficulty we all have in selecting the right gift.  Some worry about the fit, while others will struggle with the issue of functionality.  Then of course, we always have the issue of being appropriate; what message is sent by the gift?  Is it too personal?  Will they see the humor in it?

…