“An eye for an eye.” “Turn the other cheek.” Both essential wisdoms, yet they contradict. One critical aspect of education is understanding nuance. Context and circumstances often dictate a need for a particular response; hence, the need for ethics based education (not to be confused with politics or religious based education). By integrating the systems … More It All Adds Up…in the End…of Days
We’ve all heard of fight or flight, that is, the two ways of dealing with existential threats. Running towards a problem in order to confront it and running away from a problem in order to avoid it, are both physical in nature and employ physiological and hormonal changes. If you’ve ever dealt with a highly … More Fight, Flight, and Sitting Tight: The Spectrum of Trauma
Bear with me as I take my neural pathways for a walk. First off, The Martian, by Andy Weir, is a fantastically funny book. I enjoyed it to the point of envy and I hope that my first literary accomplishment can muster the same laudable final product. If you are unfamiliar with Weir’s story, it … More ‘Mined’ Over Matter
“Once she told me she was sorry she’d been a disappointment to me…Not once did it occur to me that I’d been an even greater disappointment to her.” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Shadow of the Wind “What do you want from me? I don’t work miracles!” My gynecologist was furious that I was in his … More Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
“We refuse to believe that which we do not understand. We foolishly believe that our own limitations are the proper measure of limitations. “ – Napoleon Hill What if I’m wrong? A question. A probe What if I’m wrong? A realization. A threat. What if I’m wrong? Failure. Defeat. Resurrection. This utterance has the … More This Means War
Part 1: Serial Suicide The first time I committed suicide, I was eight years old. Before I knew I was supposed to be self conscious about it, my nanny, Harriet, braided my hair. I loved the cornrows she decorated with beads. Bright pink. Neon green. Fluorescent orange. Swinging my head from side to side, the … More The Upside of Suicide
“How people loved to see a dream shatter… To see the dreamer hobbled and lamed, foundering in the shards of their broken hopes. This is what you get for believing that you could have more. You’re no better than us. You’re nothing special.” ― Laini Taylor The Jewish nation is a torn nation. At once … More Dream A Little Dream
Part 1- Why I Shit with Purpose I’m not religious, at least not anymore. I grew up in a Modern Orthodox Jewish home, learned in Jewish Day Schools, and spent summers and holidays in Israel. I did rebel against some of the rules, but my faith in God (the Holy One, blessed be He), was … More Sh!tting with Purpose
“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.” – Josephine Hart Upton Sinclair’s Oil! Is a masterful account of one boy’s journey into manhood. James “Bunny” Ross Jr. faces epic challenges to his identity and aspiring integrity as he parses out the meaning of justice and freedom. His father James Arnold Ross Sr., is … More From Dust to Dust
so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens -William Carlos Williams The human psyche is a fragile thing, susceptible to all means of threat. Yet, only by facing the fear of destruction is man able to amass strength and conquer. This transcendence … More Be the Change
Find the balance. 