life

The dash. Such a small, simple mark. Representing a lifetime. Mine began on October 17, 1956 and God only knows when it will end. In many ways it seems appropriate that an entire life is represented by such a small mark. To me it shows that no matter the length of the life, in light…

It is often said, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. There is truth to that. But limiting. I am learning to give people a chance to prove my “first impression” wrong. I would love the same grace extended to me. Many times in my life, on first impression, I’ve been…

I don’t often look back on my artwork from the past. I’m a “move forward” kind of guy. Push. Push. Push. And that’s a good thing as far as “productivity” is concerned. But it doesn’t remind me to use those nougats of creativity that I learned years ago just from the process of painting. My…

If I’ve learned anything over the last two years, it is this. One of our greatest tools for living a life with less tension is the ability to adapt. Not adapting in ways that infringe on beliefs or core values, but acknowledging and adapting to less desirable changes that come with life. Life is full…

We don’t have these days in Nashville very often. But when we do, I’m smitten. This one came fast. Every flake counted. The world stood still. Even if for a moment. The chaos was quietened. Even if for a moment. There was the hope that all could be well with the world. Even if for…

I have said many times that the garden is my therapy. It's my place of peace. Where the stresses of the world are set aside and, for the moment, replaced with the nurturing of God's creation. It feeds me physically, mentally, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually. My wife and I were married ten years before…

Each of us has a tool in our possession that could play a major role in calming anxiety, easing stress and healing wounds. In others as well as ourselves. Some seem to have a greater supply than others, but I believe it's available to us all. At any time. Whether we choose to use it…

20/20 in 2020. That's my wish. The desire and ability to see clearly, that I might live more wisely. To begin this decade with a clearer vision of who I am. Honestly. To see myself in reality rather than the photoshopped version. Hidden imperfections. Imperfections are reality. My true self. Flawed. I want to see…

We, as humans, were created equal. We were made to live side by side. Never one above the other. Coexisting on this journey called life. I live by faith which believes that Jesus died for every human. Freeing them equally. Never considering one of more value than the other. It is the scarlet thread that…

A plan is just that. A plan. But for me, a necessary place to start. It keeps me from rambling. Wandering. Heading out aimlessly. Maybe it would best be called "direction". Direction sounds less rigid. Room for change or adaptation. Shifting with inspiration. Often my plans lead to productivity. Accomplishments. That's a good thing. But…

We spend a lifetime learning. From books. From experience. From mistakes. From the wisdom of those steps, or miles, ahead of us. It's a journey. A winding path. And I picture each of us having a ledger where we log entries under the column, "things I have learned". Mine would be leather bound, oversized, with…