Editor’s Note: I’ll add this month another ‘70s song, this one in light of the holiday with a little of Browne’s deep reflection and attitude thrown in.
Editor’s comment: I don’t usually feature a children’s book but this one is a good reminder to those of us reading to our children/grandchildren. The parable is a star (of truth) breaks up and one piece is found on earth and carried into the culture. Its truth? “You are loved” As their peaceful world fell into violence, greed and destruction a little girl goes looking for the other piece. She finds it with the Old Turtle and returns home to share the other half of the broken truth, which is the whole truth: “You are loved/and so are they.” Wonderful stuff, can’t wait to read to my grandchildren while contemplating my own relationship to that lesson.”
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Editor’s note: Simon’s work was the backdrop to my young life. He just had/has a unique ability to bring rhythm and sound to great lyrics. Listening to Slip Sliding reminds me of contemplating whether I was “gliding down the highway when in fact” I was “slip sliding away.” Dude can write, sing and play like nobody else.
Editor’s comment: Some forget that this mid-1980’s album and song were “way out there” for the time. It was experimental, really and the collection of songs on the album would be understatedly called “eclectic”. I loved it then and loved it again the other day when it came up on my ITunes shuffle. Only a few people are as deeply moved by music as Simon, in my view.
Editor’s Note: This is an easy reading book considering it is written by an economist. It’s also one that I find myself saying “that’s simply not true” when absorbing certain of Galbraith’s theories. But I recommend it highly for anyone trying (as I am) to figure out exactly what is going on in the American and world economy as it gives real clarity to a less-publicized view of what we are experiencing. That is that our most accepted economic premise – that growth is inevitable and eternal – is flawed. Galbraith attempts to underpin his thoughts with history before going onto recommending four actions that could help stabilize our future. But more than anything, I agree and appreciate his premise: that the American economy simply is not on an eternal growth trajectory, as most economists and politicians would like us to believe and that until we accept and address that fact, we are inviting further disaster.
Editor’s note: I heard this the other day at the café and it made me think of so many things. One, I’ve a very close friend who is really struggling right now with his partner. As always, the number one issue is communication, which this song is all about. Two, I loved when Joni wrote and sang stuff like this one and Chelsea Morning both of which uniquely combine lilt and meaning. And finally, it reminded me that Mitchell is a music game-changer. I re-read her career highlights on Wikipedia and am reminded that her classics such as Both Sides Now, Clouds and Woodstock are only part of her story. Mitchell is so revered musically that all-time jazz greats Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock and Charles Mingus sought her out and collaborated with her over time. And her album, Blue, I found is rated 30th all-time by Rolling Stone magazine. Enjoy a listen and maybe look up and get more of her music back onto your playlist. I am.
Editor's Note: I'm not much for parables and the story in this book is no exception. But the learning, the very idea of Question Thinking is very powerful for me. When my friend gave me this book I thought, "I'm a curious guy, do I really need this?." I did and I do. Most people do. Ms. Adams' most important teachings for me were A.) every thought is a question, B.) each question invites me to "choose" or "react" and C.) when I react, I become a "judger" which is not healthy for me or anyone I'm engaged with.
Editor’s Note: My sister married an Irish lad, Sean Murphy, in 1970 and has lived most of her life since then in Dublin and Galway. Sean passed suddenly of a heart attack in 1996 the day after Christmas playing golf with his brother in Bandon, the town near Cork where they grew up. At his memorial service, this traditional gathering song was played in his memory and its lyrics haunt me, especially while hearing the amazing tenor voice of Ed Sheeran and remembering my dear brother-in-law.
Editor's Note: The Paradox of Generosity is a compelling and well-researched book that argues that the regular practice of being generous with our money, time, and relationships enhances happiness.
