Parents Are Models for Our Children

One of the most powerful singers, Harry Chapin, captured my attention when I was teaching middle school students at a boarding school in 1978. Little did I know at the time, that I would be working like a parent. Here is a wonderful video of Chapin singing his song "Cat's in the Cradle." The video — with 19 million views — opens with his wife Sandy explaining how she passed on to him the poem and then his son, Josh, says a few gentle words about his dad.

Whenever I hear this song, I reflect on my parents and my parenting as a father. As you watch this video, listen carefully to the words as Chapin sings; they are so meaningful, especially in today's parenting of children especially in the midst of AI. Is there a difference among Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials and how children have been / are being raised?

What Matters in Life

Mattering by Jennifer Breheny Wallace is such a good read on "The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose." What I appreciated the most about the book was how it weaves in emotional intelligence throughout the chapters. Also, as it says up front — "Mattering is both a call to action and a blueprint for living a meaningful and purposeful life." It uses many interviews and research to carry its message on what matters in life. "One study found that regular volunteering was linked to higher levels of energy and well being." (pg. 39) As a dedicated volunteer in my life, I can readily verify this statement.

So much of the book focuses on how helping others helps us in our own lives. This matters so much to me.

Here is her powerful TED Talk . . .