A generation ago, friendship happened naturally. Neighbors lingered on front porches, children played until the streetlights came on, and friendships were woven into the rhythms of everyday life. Today, many of us are more connected than ever, yet in this Paradoxical Life, feel more alone. Researchers have begun calling this phenomenon the Friendship Recession: a …
Category: Relational Equity
Friendship Recession
As I have mentioned before, for those of us serving in academia, the new year does not really begin in January. It begins in August, or, increasingly, sometime in July when campus parking lots begin filling up again. As I begin year three in Campbellsville, I find myself in a familiar season of reflection. Summer …
Blue Zones
There are times that I wish that I didn’t find correlating messages so frequently, because it generally means there is more reading ahead. And as much as I love reading and learning, I had really expected an Expiration Date for this flourishing topic; instead, it keeps going and going like that one battery company’s mascot! …
For Good
On a drive through south-central Kentucky, it’s not uncommon to lose a radio signal while passing through a holler tucked between rocky cliffs. Yes, I still sometimes listen to that now-archaic format of music sent across the airwaves. And for younger generations, losing a radio signal often means losing a cellphone signal too. For that …
Isaiah 43
It seems hard to believe, but it has now been more than five years since Isaiah 43 first nudged its way into my life. And here we are—still waiting for that Something New. Yes, much has changed. And yet, in many ways, I feel as though I am still sitting in a Waiting Room, watching …
Shared Stories
Did you hear about the time…? Did I ever tell you about…? Do you remember…? Were you there when…? For more than thirty-five years at Union University, conversations often began with some version of these phrases. From August 1989—when I arrived as a scared little freshman—until my job ended in 2024, I was frequently regaled …
Transplanted
One of the charming aspects of being an academic is that you are often surrounded by experts in a variety of fields and disciplines from healthcare to soil science! Like others on campus, I can be guilty of gushing about subjects I find intriguing, whether that involves the dimensions of wellness, Unreasonable Hospitality, or Appreciative …
Emerging Elderhood
How are we modeling for young people how to grow old? Most of my days are spent with Emerging Adults, who are in a Season of Life that doesn’t typically lend itself to taking a long view of their existence. However, within the discipline of human performance, where topics include nutrition, the dimensions of wellness, …
16th Second
After 30 years in education, I would admit that I’ve heard my fair share of commencement speeches—some memorable, others not. There is often an underlying theme of something along the lines of “go out and conquer the world.” I even ask, that during a life calling assignment, my students listen to an excerpt from a …
Contented Souls
Are you ever saddened by an occurrence that really has little or nothing to do with your life personally, but for whatever reason, stirs emotion inside of you? If you answer in the affirmative, I’d be curious for you to share your story with me sometime. Being fairly certain that your story will differ greatly …
