Americanism Redux March 28, your today, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago, in 1774 (together, voluntarily) Do you belong? To a club, a group, some sort of collection of people outside your family? Together, you and they meet each other, see each other, spend a period of time with each other. You, and they, are joined for a while around whatever it is that brings … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux: March 28, Your Today, On The Journey To The American Founding, 250 Years Ago, In 1774
March 28, 2024 by
Americanism Redux: March 7, Your Today, On The Journey To The American Founding, 250 Years Ago, In 1774
March 7, 2024 by
Americanism Redux March 7, your today, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago, in 1774 Husband and wife. Parent and child. Friend and neighbor. Do human relationships get any more basic than these? You don't want them to shake or tremble. You don't want them to crack apart and break down. But across the table, across the room, across the fence, something seems to be … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux: February 22, Your Today, On The Journey To The American Founding, 250 Years Ago, In 1774
February 22, 2024 by
Americanism Redux February 22, your today, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago, in 1774 "My life is (or is not) my own." Which is it for you? Is the answer one of choice or of compulsion, your freedom or something else's force? A blend of betweens? Think about your day and week up to now. As you begin to separate time into pieces, do you see any hint of things you're … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux: September 28, Your Today, On The Journey To The American Founding, 250 Years Ago, In 1773
September 28, 2023 by
Americanism Redux September 28, your today, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago, in 1773 The ties that bring us together. They bind. They break. They are a physical presence. They are a metaphysical moment. * * * * * * * The door to her jail cell opens. Hagar, the black woman of unknown age, walks out of her cell, a sheriff from the eastern shore of Maryland leads … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux: August 3, Your Today, On The Journey To The American Founding, 250 Years Ago, In 1773
August 3, 2023 by
Americanism Redux August 3, your today, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago, in 1773 Oh my God. He's dead. We're still here but we won't have him any longer. That sweet face and kind eyes. Generous heart and active mind. Gone. Now what? That's the feeling today, 250 years ago, and hour by hour it will flow out of the chamber where the dead man lays. From the chamber … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux: April 13, Today 250 Years Ago, on the journey to the American Founding, in 1773
April 13, 2023 by
Americanism Redux April 13, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago today, in 1773 "Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear name-goes-here, Happy Birthday to you..." They finish the crooning. Or maybe shouts of "for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow..." They stretch out that last note. If … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux – January 19 – 250 Years Ago Today – in 1773
January 19, 2023 by
Americanism Redux January 19, 250 years ago today, in 1773 Teaching and education. My life. I teach young people how to think. I teach adults how to worship. God made me to live this life. I've met a person, a parent, actually a step-father for whom I've developed great respect. The step-father respects me, too, I think. Yes, I'm certain he does. That's not bragging. It's a mutually … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux-Today – December 21 – 250 Years Ago-1772
December 21, 2022 by
Americanism Redux December 21, 250 years ago today (1772) On a ship, today, 250 years ago, he looks at the Florida coast. But a lifetime ago he was somewhere else, looking at a moment that would begin to define his life. ******************************************************************************************************* He feels the cave's walls on his body. He clutches a small … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux–250 Years Ago Today–November 23
November 23, 2022 by
Americanism Redux November 23, 250 years ago today Today, 250 years ago, the announcement comes forth in a document read aloud to the people of New Hampshire: "to be religiously observed and kept as a day of public thanksgiving", a day next week will be set aside to express the people's gratitude and gratefulness for their British Monarch, King George III. New Hampshire's royal governor John … [Read more...]
Americanism Redux–Today–October 5–250 Years Ago
October 5, 2022 by
Americanism Redux October 5, 250 years ago today A chance to watch a sporting event? hang out with friends? sip an adult beverage? in one of my favorite towns? Count me in. But hold up, give me a minute. I've got to get my best powdered wig and false teeth. OK, got 'em. I'm ready. Let's get going. (Sound familiar? Well, maybe not all of it. Still, most of it seems like last … [Read more...]
September 20–Today–250 Years Ago
September 20, 2022 by
Americanism Redux September 20, 250 years ago today For now, their lives are apart. Separate and unjoined. They don't know it but Down River—in the future—they will collide in the roaring waters. That day awaits, a lamp moving over a black surface. A 50-year old man writes a letter. Living in Virginia, he encloses a copy of family documents important to the woman who is waiting … [Read more...]
August 19-Today-250 Years Ago
August 19, 2022 by
Americanism Redux August 19, 250 years ago today A dress hangs painfully on her arms and back. It's hard to get comfortable with the fabric rubbing against the scars and bruises. 70-year old Margaret remembers the latest beating. Her second husband, named Savage, hit her with a leather strap. He does it a lot. For today, 250 years ago, she heals. And she'll use today in seeking another … [Read more...]
The Builder-Leader
November 30, 2017 by
Say hello to another type of leader and leadership--the Builder-Leader. I'm working with a private client in my Creative Conversations service. The client came to me with a particular situation. They were in charge of an organization with an impending physical expansion. It would be a major new physical space. My client asked me to think of a historical leader we could follow "Down River", as I … [Read more...]
From Then To Now: George Washington and 18 Days
March 1, 2016 by
I think you'll like this from my individual leadership consulting earlier this morning. A client and I are going down George Washington River together. This morning, I asked a question about 18 days. That was the span of time in 1775 from June 15 to July 3. At the start, on Day 1, Washington accepted the offered position of "General and Commander-in-Chief" of American military forces outside … [Read more...]
