Can America recover from the “loneliness epidemic” in which we increasingly find ourselves? We all know that although we’re more connected than ever, we strangely feel more isolated as well. Researchers regularly note the skyrocketing number of lonely people, in fact, one study from 2021 found that the number of Americans who say they have no close
READ MORE“Just wait ‘til the honeymoon phase wears off.” “Just wait ‘til you have kids.” “Just wait ‘til he starts crawling.” “Just wait ‘til she’s a toddler.” “Just wait ‘til you have another one.” “Just wait ‘til they’re teenagers.” These, and other similar “just wait” statements, are all too common in small talk or discussion with
READ MOREThose who are unfortunate enough to spend a significant time on the app formerly known as Twitter have probably seen the recent discourse regarding women’s bodies. It’s a popular topic on the app right now, and every moderate to large account run by a female has had something to say about how and why a
READ MORELast week a young friend suggested lunch at a nearby café. I politely declined. Seeing her surprise, I explained that I’d eaten there once and wasn’t impressed with the food. But it was more than the mediocre dish they’d served. It was the owner of the establishment, who doubles as manager and chef. “The way
READ MORE“If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family,” is a quote attributed to Mother Teresa. In her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, she elaborated: “If we love, naturally, we will try to do something. First in our own home, our next door neighbor, in the country we live, in
READ MOREBetween 1900 and 1950, literacy among Americans 14 years and older rose dramatically. The 1950 Census found that illiteracy was below 3% in two-thirds of the states and below 10% in all states. These studies defined illiteracy as a complete inability to read English or any other language. Seventy-five years later, that definition has changed a bit,
READ MOREA few months ago, ChatGPT told me it was praying for me. My grandfather had passed away the day before, and I asked ChatGPT to give me a sense of the funeral planning process. Before answering that question, it began the way a close friend might by saying, “Praying peace and strength for your family.”
READ MOREDuring the month of October, Americans celebrate the arrival of cooler weather with a variety of outdoor and indoor decor. Pumpkins and mums are arranged on front porches. “Harvest” signs ironically adorn front doors in suburban neighborhoods. Cinnamon and apple scents and flavors dominate home decor stores. It’s all so wholesome, albeit a little cheesy.
READ MOREA while back, a married couple asked for the time of the morning service at my church, promising to show up the following Sunday. They did, and enjoyed the service, but an observation by the wife surprised me. “Everyone’s dressed up,” was the essence of her comment. Even the ladies, she noticed, were wearing skirts
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