Editor’s Comment: This popped up (as so many of my monthly favorites do) on my ITunes while running and it took me way back.  I recalled the rumor that this was a song about marijuana so I hit repeat a few times and realized (again) that it is no more than a memorable fable about growing up or perhaps enjoying youth. 

Editor’s Comments: This author and this book have been around for a long time but I’d forgotten about it until someone recently made fun of me for my fantasy sports addiction.  Being in the flow (same as zone or groove) for me is a mental state where regular worries and my ego disappear.  Season long fantasy team construction and change is just one of many flow activities.  Others include prayer, playing music, losing myself in a good book, golf and more.  What are your flow activities?

Editor’s Comment: My friend, Marty Grothe, reminded me of this wonderful song.  Really it’s a poem.  Then my son, Kevin, sent me all the verses.  Then while looking it up on youtube, I found this cover version by Josh Lava, who I had never heard of before.  Great delivery of a brilliant poem, every word of which has been meaningful to me since the first time I heard it.

“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity,
nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits
of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed."”      

Editor’s Comment:  My favorite poet musicians strike again.  In this lively tune, they sing of living like a Pharaoh and singing like a sparrow and most of all remind me that we are all the same.

Editor’s Comments: I found this book in my stack waiting, perhaps for years.  I sadly cannot even remember who gave it to me.  I took and shot and was encouraged to get all the way through it by the author’s plain, humble and practical approach to the theme I’ve been wrestling with for a couple decades.  “How much is Enough”?  Young Shinabarger and his wife dedicate each chapter to stories that they and others have done to give from their excess.  They fascinate with actual stories such as Jeff and Andre (said wife) lasting 7 weeks without going to the grocery store (they ate everything in their kitchen fridge, freezer and pantry – 147 meals in all) and Andre going 156 days without wearing the same outfit.  Some stories lead to social movements such as www.plywoodpeople.com and www.giftcardgiver.com.  It’s a light, easy read which is so different from most Christian, self-help or brag books.  If you haven’t seen it, pick up a copy.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”