Love and friendship after Christmas

Aristotle (computer graphic)   After the heartening response to the Christmas blogpost, it would feel like a betrayal to return here to business as usual. I offer a few observations and reflections on friendship, dedicated to you who responded so generously to that previous message. I love birthdays, including Christmas, because they celebrate you not … Read more

Be perfect. Here’s a short path.

During the solitude of the morning came a moment of abject humiliation. It was ugly, but it revealed a new depth of need for personal growth—an opportunity not to pass up. So I prayed for help and sought to learn whatever I could. The line that came to mind was, “Be you perfect.” For the … Read more

From breakthroughs to character strengths

Team practice           Have you ever experienced a community where character growth was expected and effectively supported? If how, what do you do—or could you do—to promote such an environment in communities that you are part of? This philosophy of living addresses individuals, not social systems. It harmonizes with a phrase from the Confucian … Read more

Is it possible to love yourself fully?

Woman photographing herself in a mirror Have you tried to love yourself?  What has been your experience? I am into love now like never before in my life.  I neither love myself nor try to love myself.  I have heard some people say that they love themselves, and more who express frustration about trying to … Read more

From love’s way of simplicity to paths of thoroughness with Stephen G. Post and Thomas Aquinas

  Love’s simplicity unfolds into a multiplicity. There is a long-standing discussion about different types of love. If divine love (agape) has the primacy that we have suggested, then we could say that divine love can be expressed in friendship (philia) and in a romantic bond (eros). In friendship or romance there may arise a … Read more