A quick glance at the words “independence” and “interdependence” may leave you with a feeling that they’re contradictory. I have found this not to be the case in personal life as well as in different current world structures. Let me start by saying that as parents it is one of our deepest desires to raise children in such a way that they become independent adults. I believe (time will prove) that our children know this and strive to be independent. I know I did…

I looked at what Google brought up as lessons learned from blogging and was amazed to see no thoughts like the ones I’m about to write. Mostly people share advice on how to make money from a blog, increase traffic to a site, implement SEO, or stand out… For me the lessons learned are very different. Bottom line, I am simply amazed how educational this experience has been so far…

How soon can you begin exposing children to fine arts? I feel it is never too early to let them experience and often re-experience the beautiful in life created by others. As we visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston again this weekend, I was reminded how powerful art can be in helping us live beyond our daily routines and struggles. Art is a special nourishment for the mind and the soul. I believe it is required for normal growth, development and maintenance of the human mind…

At dinner, I mentioned that I had sent e-mails to our Senator and our Congressman about the economy expressing my concern regarding the enormous proposed bailout package. I didn’t even notice how attentively my almost 6-year-old son was listening to what I was saying until he started trying to articulate in his words what he had understood. Noticing that he needed help understanding what I had just said in grown-up speak, I tried to explain. Here’s what I said…

“Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name.” ~ William Wordsworth
My father has been helping me fix up a few things at the house over the past few weekends. The ride there is about forty minutes. I’m sure in hindsight these will be some of the most special times of my life. When we get into the car, we are not yet tired and talk about interesting topics, our mother, life in general, world politics, his life, real estate, anything and everything. Yesterday I noticed that I …