There must be hundreds of millions of songs written. Music is a melody for the mind, hopefully a comfort or safe place for everyone. There are love songs, fun songs, sad songs, hate songs, dance songs, loud songs, soft songs, political songs, anthems, religious songs, lullabies, wedding songs, Christmas songs, drinking songs, marching songs, patriotic songs, heartbreak songs, protest songs, celebration songs, and more. Favorites - all of us have at least one favorite. Her

Race is ubiquitous in everywhere and everyone. Should race be relevant? For the most part, the answer is "no" but unfortunately, it IS relevant. I grew up in Peoria, Illinois, in a dominant white middle-class neighborhood. My Mother was racist, but my Father never made a comment. When I was in 7th grade a black family moved in across the street. They had two boys, one my age and the other a couple years younger. We played together, went to school together and laughed t

We all have heros. Maybe a mother, father, athlete, spirit, political leader, or anyone. With the recent 9/11 25th anniversary, there has been plenty of "heros" remembered for great tributes. But, "we" also can be heros. A" hero is someone who by the quality of their everyday life raises the level of character in everyone around them" (Glenn McDonald) - meaning, you and I can be heros. Now there's a challenge for each of us.

"Talk is cheap," certainly can be an accurate phrase. How often are we out with friends or colleagues, talking about a topic, and the conversation goes back and forth about each person's own experience? What's missing is an engaged dialogue by "listening" to someone and responding with a question, comment, compliment or empathy. That, is an engaged discussion. Next time you're out with people, "listen" to them and pursue engagement. If the person is one who only talks ab

There is another four-letter word that compliments "Wife" and that's "Love." The words are united, and I am fortunate to have both. My wife is not just the person I love the most, but she's my best friend. I mean it, she is my best friend. I still feel it when we are out, get separated, then when I see her, there's an indescribable feeling of love, relief, comfort, and thrill. It's the "butterfly" feeling. I know the feeling and I hope other spouses know that feeling. My

Kill is a strong word. Kill it. Kill them. Kill time. Kill me. The U.S. has started a war with Iran with the intention to kill people. Iran is defending their sovereignty by also killing people. Regardless of war, people kill people daily for a myriad or reasons. Kill is hate's end. The U.S., under the Trump Administration, is becoming a "hate" country, coincidently resulting in more killing (within and outside our borders). Why do we kill? Religion, land, hate, env