This morning I read an article in the NYT that is very salient. For years I have been trying to get people to engage with me on the issue of economic inequality. Let me first say that I firmly believe that we still have systemic racism in our country. However, we also have systemic economic discrimination. But we ignore that. Even many minorities want to sweep that issue under the rug because it dilutes their message and complicates the issue. I get it. But that does not make it right. Maybe the Supreme Court’s recent decision will help all of us focus on economic discrimination as well. A friend of…

Days 1 & 2 – June 15th and 16th I am looking forward to spending two weeks in the Basque Region.  I have wanted to visit this region ever since walking the last seven stages of the French Camino in the northwest corner of Spain several years ago. During my 17 days in the region, I will be visiting three of the largest cities in Basque (Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona), while also seeing a number of small villages on my hike on the first three stages of the French Camino and my cycling trip with Backroads through the Pyrenees.  Located in the western Pyrenees, The Basque Region is home…

As most of my friends know, our youngest son Carter loves movies.  He has for as long as I can remember. I will never forget when Elizabeth got a call from Carter’s 3rd Grade teacher informing her that the class was studying Roman history. The teacher, who at the time was dating one of my subordinates at work, knew Elizabeth and me socially. And because of that familiarity, she felt comfortable calling Elizabeth to tell her what transpired next in her class. The teacher informed Elizabeth that during the discussion of Roman history Carter’s friend Jake told the class that he had seen “Gladiator” with Carter at the Franklin’s house.…

During this Lenten Season, our Church asked for volunteers to provide a reflection on the Lenten Gospel Readings. We were told to keep the reflection to less than 200 words.  Being loquacious, both verbally and with the written word, I entered this holy endeavor intent on listening, reflecting, and finding one message, out of the many in this passage, that resonated with me. Elizabeth volunteered to provide a reflection on today’s reading, March 19th.  So, together we read the Gospel of John, Chapter 9, where Jesus heals a man born blind. I invite you to read all 41 verses after reading the following reflection. Worldviews are dear to us.  During…

Many of us have much to be thankful for as we begin a new calendar year. I thought I would share a prayer of thanks that I often use during a moment of silence or when meditating. It is my go-to prayer and covers everything for me. I will also share what each item I am thankful for means to me. Dear God Thank you for my life Thank you for my wife Thank you for my time Thank you for my mind Thank you for my health Thank you for my wealth As it was in the beginning, is now and forever, universe without end. Amen

Dear James, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree….”  This story from the book of Luke is read to us every Christmas and most of us now know it by heart.  But do we really know how it ends? Or is the end just the beginning?  I was listening to a podcast when those questions popped into my head.   The purpose of this specific podcast was to educate the listener on how to give the perfect gift. And it starts with reminding us that “gift giving is as old as humanity – to express love, offer admiration and obtain favors.” So, if gift giving is so important, why…

We never know what might await us as we embark on journeys, even if the journey is a short business trip. This business trip would begin on a Wednesday morning, driving south through South Boston and Danville to Greensboro, where I would speak to a group of CFO’s before heading to Salisbury to have dinner with clients, and then driving the additional hour south to Charlotte, where I would spend some time with my good friend Pete.  The trip would end on Friday with a client meeting in Asheville, North Carolina followed by a 7 hour drive back home.  On Thursday, while meeting with a client, the CEO asked if I…