That’s what my Mom called laughter.
Recent Posts
Editor’s Comment: My dear friend, Bob Miller, sends me his self-reflections and I learn. Bob is one of the widest and deepest thinkers I know, particularly in matters of the soul. His success as a marketer, philanthropist and musician are of local legend. This recent passage centers on the age old character of the Fool, then probes more deeply in search of the fool within each of us. One of the key points which I find alluring is that being the fool requires we take ourselves less seriously which can in turn help us and others through the worst of times. As Bob and I age, and certainly within the limits of social grace and empathy we are choosing to be more The Fool. Mill
The homily last Sunday was centered on the theme, “where does it hurt?”. Our priest’s point was that you cannot identify how to fix what ails you until you know what is really causing the pain.
Editor’s Comment: My good friend, Ron DeMattia of Corporate Value Partners sent me this article. It’s more data for the series of discussions he and I have had about the M&A business done right and done wrong. The wrong way (in our view) is adding debt to dividend shareholders; a few people gain and many people lose. Staples owners are cited here but the highest profile case of such concerns currently is Eddie Lambert and his long ride as Sears/Kmart owner. The courts and others are currently hounding Lambert to discern how much his hedge fund (ESL) gained while tens of thousands lose their jobs and their retirement savings (stock as well as pensions). Sycamore and Sears are just two of dozens of cases Ron and I wonder about.
Editor’s Comment: This song is among the latest mix given to me by my daughter, Caitlin. We enjoy together music with meaning and while this one is not a favorite musical arrangement, the lyrics are powerful. Hope you enjoy.
Editor’s Comment: A friend tells me that at least once a year good readers should read a classic.
My first thoughts are generally good. At this age and with my experience, I suppose they should be. But first thoughts are still only that: first thoughts. They should be only the beginning of a process of exploration. Rarely do first thoughts stand the tests of time and season. And clinging to first thoughts by resisting new facts is a path to ignorance. Second thoughts and third ones take more time and deliberation, but the payoff is substantial. This month’s article (see below) is “Second-Order Thinking” by blogger Shane Parrish (www.farnamstreet.com). Parrish is a thought leader in the financial investment community and his article is based around Howard Marks’ new book, “The Most Important Thing”. Their thoughts are deep and informative. First and second level thinking can be applied to every decision we make in life: acquiring or leaving a home, a car, a business, a partner or a friend as well as developing our values, political views and spirituality. Where are you stuck in first level thinking? · Lost a friend because they “did something”?
