No, it's not a misspelling (and yes, I do make frequent use of my spell-checker). As our agrarian past fades from our collective memory, so will the images of pastoral scenes, farm implements, and, yes, even stiles. I even had some trouble finding a decent photo of one (and this one's from England, where the rural life still survives). What made me think of a 'stile' (a ladder providing access over a fence or wall) today was an interview I had last night with Rabbi Ed Weinsberg. Ed faced and overcame the challenges of prostate cancer just a very few years ago, and he's written a book that documents his story (and others) for the benefit of the 1/6 of all men who'll be facing that disease. For Ed, the experience catapulted him to a higher appreciation of faith, love, and even sex.

It's a fact of the human condition: transitions never come easily. They always appear as an interruption in the kind of life we desire and even plan for: a life of security, tranquility, ease, and peace. Yet, as I've written fairly often, the so-called 'interruption' is the reality, the sense of security is the illusion. Our 'common sense' lies to us, and tries to convince us that these disruptive events that come hurtling like projectiles into our lives are obstacles to our happiness and progress. Obstacles? Or, are they, in fact, the steps that take us up and over the obstacles? I submit to you that, just perhaps, these disruptions — even the big and painful ones — are what stimulate change and growth and that, without them, we'd face stagnation and decay. "No pain, no gain" is true particularly because every change involves a painful separation from our status quo.

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For those who have discovered that happiness does not come from ambition or acquisition, but is found in those moments when you are concerned with neither, Jamie Jensen’s Road Trip USA is the perfect reference work. A good road trip extracts you from the numbness of everyday life, reigniting your sensitivity to the world around you. »more»

For many, thinking of summer, of freedom and adventure, conjures up going on a "road trip." With good reason, road trips can be all that and more. Speaking from experience I can tell you that the best road trip moments are often found far away from the Interstate and that the best way to find these is a good travel guide book. »more»

A good friend of mine is convinced that the world is nearing the end of times. This is a topic that she and I differ on. I come at it from my knowledge of history, sociology, world events, and even world religions and I'm not quite sure where she's coming at it from. I think online bible study and her family. Who is right? Who is wrong? »more»

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With everyone looking to economize, the annual summer vacation is one area almost certainly to be scaled back. Already summer camps, hotel resorts and other traditional summer destinations are reporting cancellations and slower bookings. Perhaps this is the year to bring back the summer road trip? »more»

Now that the chicks are out of the nest I'm nurturing a new side effect--fearlessness. Okay not exactly fearlessness, but I'm finding that I'm more drawn to crazy antics than I used to be. Perhaps this effect is common in empty nesters--or at least with the baby boomer ones. Were we not the VW bus driving, world-changing, stickin' it to the man, try-anything generation? »more»

For both men and women, there are five stages of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, midlife, and maturity. Two of those stages are transition periods (adolescence and midlife), and these two have very many transitions in common. One of the biggest is the changes in sex hormone levels: in adolescence, they're increasing; in midlife, they're decreasing. »more»

On last night's internet radio program, I interviewed rock musician and author, Steve Mayfield, about his new album and book, Afterlife Crisis. One of the principle themes (that became a song on his album) was that, even when we've gotten through the midlife transition, we still can't find a "Resting Place" — somewhere or somehow to put down the stresses of life and catch our breaths. »more»

Just because I've made it "over the hill" doesn't necessarily mean that it's smooth sailing from now on. As a matter of fact, think back to when you were a teenager still walking riding your bike everywhere you wanted to go. Couldn't you just taste the freedom and all the possibilities that were waiting for you when you reached those magic ages: 16, 18, 21? »more»