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What we have in friendship is an agreement, an implicit understanding that we are both willing to give and receive, to be there for each other in times of need. We don’t need to keep score, we both just need to be there for each other. That’s what friendship is all about.

Ronald Sharp said, “It’s not about what someone can do for you, it’s who and what the two of you become in each other’s presence.” And that’s what a good friendship will prove: that in their presence, you become better than you thought yourself to be. 

Retirement is arguably a goal for many people. Whether or not that’s an appropriate goal to have, that’s a different story. But, if you are looking to retire, how long will it take? To retire, you will need to save a certain amount of money. This amount will vary depending on your lifestyle and desired retirement age. You should also consider factors such as inflation and taxes when making your retirement plan.

In 2015, nearly a third of working-age adults in a Federal Reserve report said they had no retirement savings or pensions. To ensure a comfortable retirement, it is wise to start planning and saving early. Investing in a retirement plan is an excellent way to ensure you will have the money you need when you retire. 

So, is it possible you’ll have to work past the age you wanted to retire? Absolutely. So you might as well try and do something you enjoy. 

It’s easy to come here, write some basic platitudes about this or that – business, culture, art, taking chances, whatever. And, in being safe, I may skirt issues. To avoid hot topics. Controversial topics. Dangerous topics.

Writing in this way allows me to avoid criticism. But the truth is, in playing it safe, I’m not pushing my own boundaries, or challenging myself to explore the unknown. I’m not confronting my own beliefs and preconceptions, or learning anything new. In other words, I’m not growing.

We have to talk about the difficult things, the controversial issues, and the hard truths. We have to be brave enough to have uncomfortable conversations. We have to be bold enough to challenge the status quo. Not out of anger or antagonism. But in a spirit of curiosity and genuine understanding. We have to be willing to listen and learn from each other. We must be open to the possibility that our beliefs and opinions can be wrong.

We can’t shy away from what’s difficult, but instead must face it head-on. We must be willing to take risks and think outside the box. Only then can we make real progress.

Whether you feel one way about it or the other, the world has changed in the past three years. Granted, the world is always changing. The moderate, expected change, however, is acceptable to all. Well, mostly. It happens. 

The world is constantly changing, and it is important to stay flexible and adapt to these changes. We must keep learning and find creative solutions to the challenges we face. This is especially true in the modern world where technology and globalization are quickly changing the way that business is done and how people interact with each other. 

Things are different now than when I was a kid. My parents say it, I say it, and if I would expect my child to say it. But I guess that means I’d have to have a kid first.

The changes from the pandemic, though, means that things are drastically different now than they were thirty-six months ago. And that’s fast.  The pandemic has brought about many changes, from the way we interact with each other to the way we work. It has impacted how we go about our day to day lives, and it has caused us to rethink what we can do to stay safe and healthy. 

It leaves some people uncertain about what they should do. Maybe most people. Maybe it’s a familiar feeling for some, but now it’s everywhere. For nearly everyone.

Some of it is economic. Does the economy exacerbate the issue? Certainly. Is it the only concern we have? Not in the slightest. 

Which leaves me wondering, what is it we’ve lost? Did the pandemic take away something fundamental from us? Certainly we’ve lost the sense of security that comes from feeling safe and connected to our communities.

We’ve lost the feeling of normalcy that comes from our daily routines. We’ve lost the feeling of connection that comes from our face-to-face interactions.

Some of these things we are getting back. We are, for the most part, out of the pandemic. 

But it’s undeniable that things are different now, and will likely never return to what was previously known. 

We probably weren’t ready as a society to embrace the more recent countercultural-driven changes. However, that’s probably true of any generation stretching back to the dawn of civilization. As society progresses, it’s important to remember that change can be uncomfortable, but it is also necessary. We should be open to new ideas and be willing to adapt to them. It’s essential to remember that embracing change can lead to a better future. And in the end, society and culture do realign with each other. 

Yesterday was May 4th, or, as it’s affectionately known to a legion of sci-fi fans out there, Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you. The day has become a popular holiday for fans of the franchise, with many celebrating by dressing up in costume, watching the movies, or attending conventions. It is a day to come together and remember why Star Wars is so beloved.

What makes a story like Star Wars have such sticking power? I mean, the first movie was released nearly fifty years ago. I mean, it still holds up. It’s a great movie. But, for fifty years? And people love it.

Maybe it’s because it deals with universal themes (no pun intended) of good versus evil, hope, and redemption. The characters are relatable and the plot is exciting. It also features iconic visuals, memorable performances, and a stirring score. All of it, producing a film that will likely be loved for generations to come.

Travel writing is always so deliciously descriptive. It takes the reader on a journey to faraway lands and deep into the culture and history of a place without ever leaving home. Through the words of the writer, we can experience the sights, sounds, flavors, and emotions of a place. It’s a powerful way to transport the reader to another world.

I was sitting down with Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood recently, my first time reading it, and some of the language struck me. This is how it opens:

“The Village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call “out there.” Some seventy miles east of the Colorado border, the countryside, with its hard blue skies and desert-clear air, has an atmosphere that is rather more Far West than Middle West. The local accent is barbed with a prairie twang, a ranch-hand nasalness, and the men, many of them, wear narrow frontier trousers, Stetsons, and high-heeled boots with pointed toes. The land is flad, and the views are awesomely extensive; horses, herds of cattle, a while cluster of grain elevators rising as gracefully as Greek temples are visible long before a traveler reaches them.” 

Obviously, In Cold Blood isn’t a travel memoir. But Capote paints a marvelous picture of the area. And travel writing often uses such descriptions to visceral effect. Travel writing often uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of place, to bring readers to the area so they can experience it for themselves. 

Started playing with ChatGPT. Just a bit. It was a fascinating experience, having a text conversation with an artificial intelligence engine. I was surprised by how quickly the AI engine was able to understand my questions and provide answers. It was almost like talking to a real person! I’m excited to explore this technology further and see how it can be used to enhance our lives.

As Bill Gates has said, “The age of AI has begun.“

What is quality? Can you describe it? 

Generally, quality is defined as meeting the needs and expectations of a customer, adhering to a certain set of standards, and providing value for money. Quality is also closely linked to customer satisfaction, as customers are more likely to be satisfied with a product or service if it meets their expectations.

The concept of quality is subjective, however. Determining quality can be difficult as it relies on factors such as customer perception and expectation. Additionally, quality is highly contextual, so what may be considered a high-quality product in one context may not be considered as such in another.

A quality shirt should last longer than one that costs less. But it’s priced higher. Still, both shirts perform the same function. And where one person may be willing to pay more for perceived quality, another just wants to wear a shirt. Not acquire a collector’s item. 

The currency of the world is information. True information, and not the sort that you pick up by watching the news. Even the internet is at the best of times misleading. To be truly informed, one must go out and do their own research, look for facts and evidence to back them up, and consider multiple perspectives and opinions. In this way, one can be sure that what they believe is based on truth and not on hearsay or speculation.

With nearly eight billion people on earth, it is also important to be aware of the fact that no two people may ever have the same opinion. Therefore, it is important to be open-minded and open to hearing what others have to say. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to come to their own conclusions and to make their own informed decisions.

There are so many different experiences and perspectives that it can be hard to know what to believe. Doing your own research and considering multiple perspectives can help you to make sure that the beliefs you hold are based on facts, rather than assumptions or hearsay.

Creating opportunities for everyone to be able to easily access information is paramount. This can help to create an informed and educated society. It can also foster understanding and empathy between people with different views. Ultimately, this kind of learning environment will help to create a more tolerant and peaceful world.

The thoughts of one person alone can be enough to change everything.