Over the last few weeks, I’ve been struck by a challenging reality. Generations have been forming as virtual tribes in our contemporary culture; tribal warfare is busting out along the perimeters that define the boundaries around these age/stage cohorts. Modeling constructive relationships across generations could use a refresh. Where do we find that?             […]

            If you’ve been reading my recent posts on Mondays – in my Point of View – you know that I’ve drawn a line in the sand regarding your life and its seasons. First Half sounds great – “forever young” is the delusion – but you’re dealing with the reality that you’ve probably crossed the

            Did you pick up on what I was saying last week? Here’s an outtake from my last challenge:             I’ve got two audiences reading this week’s taunt: First Halfers who are still on the hunt for success. If that’s you, here’s my question: who do you have to mentor you toward a life of

            Don’t look at the weather report; look at your calendar: it’s change-of-seasons time. Whatever your routines were for summer are now set aside as you reload for the fall. You had some flex ‘til last week; work contacts grant some grace and give some slack until Labor Day. Then, the game clock kicks back

            Happy Labor Day! The origins of the holiday are woven into the union movements of an earlier era. When the holiday was proposed 140 years ago, the majority of Americans were engaged in farming, factories and mining. Today, most are service and knowledge workers using keyboards instead of hammers. The day set aside to

            It’s year-end; the New Year starts next week, on Tuesday. I know: your calendar has you confused. It says that the New Year begins in January; truth-be-told, the day after Labor Day is more of a starting line – for most of us – than the morning after “the holidays.” The question you have

            In the old days – about which I have firsthand experience! – the seasons were in sync with the school calendar. Classes reconvened the day after Labor Day; they ended at/about Flag Day. Summer was the period in-between. Summer was the calendar zone for family vacations and a daytrip to the state or county

            Cheri and I are now in a significant minority group within American culture. Among the things that make us quirky: we’re in our 56th year of marriage. Best estimates – based on census data – say that 6% of marriages make it to the 50-year mark. Death and divorce are the interrupters for couples

          “Americans have no appetite for war.” Used currently to describe the public sentiment about the conflict in the Middle East, that reflection underlies a deep desire to live in peace, on all fronts. What are the chances of that happening?             There are two ongoing wars festering within the American cauldron that have little to

            For the Jews – about 3330 years ago – God performed a miracle that showed his power and would forever define their family. It was Passover, and Jews mark that divine intervention each year.             For the Shanks – 33 years ago – God performed a miracle that showed his power and would forever