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Construction near my office has been ongoing for the past year. I don't mind, it reminds me of the work I used to do. At first the work took place in an area that allowed me to talk to the workers as I walked to my building. But, as things progressed, I was sad to see...

Located just West of that bend in the Hudson River, beneath those trees, are the remains of Fort Montgomery. On October 6, 1777, 2,100 British soldiers attacked the 700 men who were stationed in Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton to impede British reinforcements from...

Among the many wonderful people I am privileged to meet, I am perhaps most inspired by the children (and I am always grateful when their parents let me steal them for a moment or two). Their innocence and excitement for the future remind me of all that is good in this...

I spent the afternoon strolling through the Adams' garden in Braintree, MA. I imagined Abigail sitting in her back yard admiring this view as she wrote to her son, John Quincy, who was reluctant to follow his father on yet another civic assignment. "These are the...

Visiting the Mark Twain house today, I was reminded of the times my mother would read to us. Sitting on the floor in the hall, she would read loud enough that all of us could listen from our separate rooms as we fell asleep. Listening to stories of Huck Finn and Tom...

My sister and her husband recently wrote a book about the differences between consuming and creating. They demonstrate the need humans have to 'consume' (e.g., such as eating, learning, etc.) in order to survive. However, they also highlight the need we all have to...

Deceptively known as the Gillette Castle, this mansion was built in the early 1900's. Though I tried, I was unable to find an inspiring story about the home or its owner (a wealthy actor). In contrast to last week's story on Hale who was poor and is remembered for his...

Service is a particularly effective instrument for lighting the world because service is an expression and a catalyst of love. Those who love, know God.

Life can be hard, but in finding and holding on to our original purpose, we will discover enthusiasm in even the most mundane of our responsibilities. So, let us find value in endurance.

Let us send a letter, pick up the phone, or drop off some blueberry muffins. We never know how long we will enjoy these wonderful gifts we call friends.

A value system that allows individuals to choose which life is most valuable based on convenience will naturally influence public opinion on other important issues, even if only subtly.

Much more than knowing wrong from right, we must care about the difference. Then, we must do the latter.