Author Archives: Jim Gleason

Everyone wants to build something that endures. We work on building our own reputation, stature, and legacy. Sometimes we try to build fame and fortune. Unfortunately circumstances get in the way of opportunities to build. Pandemics happen that close off those opportunities. Racial and economic injustices threaten or close off more opportunities. There has toContinue reading “Building”

I consider myself a student of how people speak to each other. Unfortunately that hasn’t made me a good or effective communicator. I just study how people talk to each other. For instance, yesterday I was talking with a friend of mine. He is a good and intelligent man. We are at the same stageContinue reading “Communication”

In the last two days I have had three visits to three different doctors. It is interesting how closely you are examined before you can even enter the building these days. They take your temperature and you have to answer a battery of questions. If nothing else, it made we feel a little safer enteringContinue reading “Doctors”

Change is inevitable. However sometimes it comes slowly over time and other times change happens suddenly. I go out to walk most mornings about 5:30. Yesterday it was 44 degrees when I left home. This morning it was 67 degrees. I’m pretty sure ny body doesn’t know what happened to it. That change was easyContinue reading “Changes”

I don’t know if your area is the same as mine, but an awful lot of people don’t social distance or wear masks in public here. Maybe they feel that they are invincible. For me, the choice to wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing is a matter of simple kindness. I would feelContinue reading “Kindness”

On what basis do you select who you will vote for. Is it strictly based on what party they belong to or how they vote? Do you vote based upon their ethnicity, gender, wealth or lack thereof, or even their looks? I vote and choose leaders based upon my perception of their character. I wantContinue reading “Choosing Leaders”

I have discovered that one of the great benefits of retirement is the chance to slow down. We rush through our lives without taking the time to evaluate all the activity or our involvement in them. Furthermore we don’t take the time to evaluate ourselves, asking questions like; Am I the person I want toContinue reading “Deeper Life”

The winds are strong again today, as much as 35 MPH. Those winds push you over at times. Public opinion is sometimes the same as the winds. It can change quickly and push you into believing many things, most not true. The Holy Spirit is sometimes characterized as a mighty wind. After Jesus ascended intoContinue reading “Another Windy Day”

We are in the midst of a modified stay at home order. The governor has allowed some businesses to reopen. Under his current plan almost everything will be open by the end of May. He did leave one significant caveat, however. People over 65 should still stay home. I would complain about age discrimination exceptContinue reading “Slow Days”

Every day several acts of kindness are highlighted on our local and national news. People seem to be doing all manners of nice things for family members, neighbors, friends and even strangers in need. I am sure that you also have done some very nice things for others. This begs the question, why? Why areContinue reading “Kindness”