Author Archives: Jim Gleason

Several years ago, when we lived in Albuquerque, a rich man hid a million dollars somewhere in New Mexico. I guess he published some clues. A large number of people went in search of the treasure. Some spent years trying to find it. If you know anything about New Mexico, you know that it coversContinue reading “Hidden Treasure”

A woman makes the mistake of walking down the toy aisle in the department store. Her three small children begin to ask for their favorite toys. The woman, in a hurry, politely tells the children that they can’t buy toys right now. But the children persist and begin to make a very public scene. TheContinue reading “When The Answer Is No”

Have you ever watched a relative’s or a friend’s life descend out of control? Maybe your own life has done that. They seem normal and reasonably happy, but then changes occur that cause you to worry about them. They begin to withdraw. When they do speak, their words are quite negative. They start to hangoutContinue reading “Descent”

I hear that there is a big game coming up on Sunday. Two great teams with two great quarterbacks will determine the world champion. It will be a glorious event with several million, if not billions, of eyes focused on the game. What could possibly top that? How about the battle at the end ofContinue reading “Who Will Win?”

Imagine a courtroom where you are the defendant. The state is the plaintiff accusing you, not of one crime , but many. Day after day the evidence of your crimes is presented. You begin to sweat because the evidence is compelling, and you know that you did indeed commit the crimes. Finally the evidentiary partContinue reading “Courtroom Drama”

I love watching ventriloquists perform. They are so good that I am convinced that the puppet is actually speaking. It is amazing how the ventriloquist can change voices so quickly and give the puppet personality at the same time. Perhaps I am enamored with these performances because I have such difficulty speaking to others. IContinue reading “Ventriloquists”

Every day first responders inspire us with their courage. They perform difficult tasks under dire circumstances, all the while they are often putting their own lives in danger. Medical personnel have put their own and their family’s safety at risk while saving others during this pandemic. Soldiers risk their lives to protect our freedom andContinue reading “Where Does Courage Come From”

Our minds are spectacularly awesome things. We can think the most lofty and glorious thoughts. Unfortunately we can also think about the basest and darkest things. Our minds can alternately understand the most complex issues and the simplest of ideas. We can compute sophisticated calculations internally within seconds and be dumbfounded on how to makeContinue reading “Lofty Thoughts”

I am a classic introvert. When I have taken personality tests, I have always scored at the extreme end of the introvert spectrum. Our culture doesn’t know what to do with introverts. People make all sorts of judgments when looking at my personality type. I’ve had people suggest that I must be wise because IContinue reading “What Do People See”

Once several years ago, I was trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal. We came to one of the many suspension bridges that cross the river. Suddenly I became very afraid. Even though I was with other people and I had no other option, I couldn’t get the nerve to cross for several minutes. After sittingContinue reading “Afraid”