I can hear Janis Joplin’s raspy voice as she belts out, “Freedom's just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” I've been thinking about freedom, what we do have to lose, and how we can choose to see beyond ourselves. What does it mean to be free? Why do [...]
A poem paints the picture. Look at MeLook at me. Say yes to me. You barely notice a life cast aside fractured and defenseless. When will you look at me? How long must I remain hopeless, caught in the darkness yet in plain view? But look at me. You see, [...]
Community Illumination is more than a publication on the writing platform, Medium. It is a community. “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead Have you ever had the good fortune to belong to a group [...]
Canceled family meals have left us adrift. I clutch the lifesaver of memories and can’t help but smile. My favorite? Any meal with the people I love and cherish. "So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the [...]
What would it take to create a kinder world? A kindness habit could push us closer to caring for one another in spite of our differences. “Wherever there is a human being there is a chance for kindness.” Seneca Kindness “kind-ness (kīn(d)-nəs) noun: The quality or state of being [...]
Accountability presents us with a choice to live above the line or settle for the role of victim. Where is the line between accountability and victimization? Accountability has two components: personal and shared. We focus more on the individual and miss the importance of shared accountability. How do organizations, [...]
When we collaborate, we all get better. Yet, our culture values individualism above all else. “I can do this. I don’t need you. I won’t depend on anyone.” You might hear a two year old proclaim indignantly, “I do it myself.” That approach appeals to us and serves as [...]
Take time to notice your surroundings. You may discover mysteries in the ghosts and ruins that dot the landscapes. You pass the same signs, the same buildings, even the same people day after day. But do you really pay attention? Our world drags us along speeding past the sights and [...]
Is the habit of optimism worth your time? How can you cultivate the habit? Will it make a difference? Optimism is the "best thing" The word optimism derives from the Latin word optimum, which means “best thing.” Optimism instills hopefulness and confidence about the future. We can hold in [...]
What will you choose? Every life has its challenges. None of us are immune from daily distractions and annoyances. My friend, Linda, described these events as “lumps in the oatmeal.” We have a choice. Do we let the mundane, the lumps in the oatmeal, overtake us? Or, do we [...]
