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.

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”?

I see Patrick Sloan around town from time to time and my greeting is always the same: “thanks for the tip”.

This last in this series of “things I know for sure” is that no person can become what they want to be without a written plan.

In 66 years I’ve learned that I can only do what I love to do if (and only if) I’m willing to also do the things least appealing to me.  Here’s just a few of those things.

We interrupt “This Much I Know” series for this unpaid, somewhat political announcement:

The third in this series, “this much I know”, is that successful organizations require three ingredients:  People, Product and Process.

The second of five things I think I now know (for sure) is that moderation is ultimately the position I strive for in every element of my life.  Below are six topics (I could write dozens) through which I’ve travelled from extreme to extreme.  Also find a favorite book that caused me to reconsider each.

Just as intellect or athleticism are gifts, so too is natural curiosity.  And as with all gifts, they are advanced if/when we apply self-discipline.  Or they can be left undeveloped by ignorance or complacence.