I believe that just about every personality trait is inherently neutral. Most traits serve us well up to a point. Almost any aspect of our personalities can get us in trouble if taken too far. For instance, industrious can lead to getting a lot done and feeding a family. However, it can also lead to …
Lost in Space
"Danger, Will Robinson". Like the robot from the 1960s television series, I am tempted to shout the same warning about the 2016 Presidential election. However, the warning may actually be a bit premature. Perhaps 2016 is merely the year we finally shed certain political shibboleths like we abandon iconic cultural symbols that seem permanent while …
Of Love and Reason
I'm a lawyer and the son of an engineer. I've always been a thinker and have felt most comfortable in that realm. Yet, as a Christian, I've found a frustration to the limits of my reasoning ability as I grow weary of trying to "figure it all out" in some sensible way. As to reason, …
Of Grouse and Me
The flush of a ruffed grouse can be a rare occurrence much of the time. It's been said that a grouse hunter would starve if grouse were the only food consumed by said hunter because the number and size of the birds reduced to bag falls far short of the calories burned walking through the …
The Existentialism of Ice Fishing
I walk or drive onto questionable ice on a frigid, windy day. I drill a hole in the ice. I put a tiny wax worm on a tiny jig and drop my line through the hole in the ice. I sit on a bucket for hours. I may sip a beverage. It's called ice fishing. …
A Dog’s Guide to Yoga (Guest Post by Max)
1. Yoga done by dogs Roll in poop Lift leg and pee on alpha female's flowers Shake water on master Tangle in leash "Who, me?" gaze Jump in truck Sit on master's foot Point at squirrel Gnaw on bone Shred socks Inhale food Drink from toilet Head on lap Obey commands when food is involved …
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Peace on Earth
"And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I once felt peace in the month of Christmas. It was both a personal feeling of peace and a global one. As …
A Letter to My Sons About Appropriate Attire
Fathers have an obligation to pass on what they know to their sons. As you boys get older, I wanted to give you some rules about how to properly dress for occasions that require more thought than blue jeans and a t-shirt. I started thinking about this the other day when one of you asked …
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Still Flawed
I named this blog "Reflections of a Flawed Man" because I truly do believe that I'm flawed. In fact, I know I'm flawed in two general ways. First, I've had two major strokes and cancer. All three were flukes in that none were caused by lifestyle issues, none were predictable and none were preventable. They …
Life After 50
40 was supposed to be the new 30, at least according to Sheryl Crow. I'm not sure if that was true because I can't compare my 40s to any other 40s I've ever had because I think I only get to live each decade once. I know that I tried to live my 40s as …
reflections of a flawed man 