by David Anderson
When I walked into the grocery store, he was standing by the door. I’d never seen him before, but he was wearing a uniform and I knew he was an employee. I said an average hello, and he responded with a hello so happy it startled me. Then he handed me a shopping basket. I […]
by David Anderson 5 Comments Filed Under: Community, Happiness, Intimacy, Love
It’s Labor Day weekend, and most people won’t think a thing about labor. Work is just what we do to put bread on the table or maintain a lifestyle. Like everything else, we tend to do it mindlessly. But it would be hard to overemphasize the importance of our labor. Freud said, “Love and work […]
by David Anderson 2 Comments Filed Under: Happiness, Nature/Creation, Rest/Sabbath, Uncategorized, Vocation/ Calling
“WE DON’T NEED BUREAUCRATS TELLING US WHAT BERVERAGES TO BUY!” That’s the dyspeptic protest I’m seeing on posters and t-shirts, sparked by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s attempt to ban large sodas in the city. His anti-obesity crusade aims to make sixteen ounces the limit—at restaurants, delis, movie theatres, sports arenas, and food carts. This […]
by David Anderson 2 Comments Filed Under: Abundance, Choice, Daily Practice, Happiness
“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.” The wisdom—and wit—of Thomas Merton. We all climb that ladder. There is probably something wrong with you if you don’t. And there are lots of ladders. Young […]
by David Anderson 14 Comments Filed Under: Faith/Trust, Fear, Grace, Happiness, Letting Go, Mercy, Surrender
Unhappiness is an inside job. But you’d hardly know it. We’re so used to blaming others for our state. “I don’t like my job—I work with a pitiful group of people.” “I hate this town. It’s full of lousy people.” Or “I stopped going to that church. It was full of nothing but hypocrites!” Like […]
by David Anderson 5 Comments Filed Under: Community, Happiness, Now/ the Present, Seeing
Life can seem awfully complicated. Ron Padgett, a wonderful writer, offers some simple, take-’em-to-the-bank insights. Get some sleep. Eat an orange every morning. Be friendly. It will help make you happy. Hope for everything. Expect nothing. Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room before you save the world. Then save the world. Be nice […]
by David Anderson 5 Comments Filed Under: Faith/Trust, Grace, Happiness, Now/ the Present
The single challenge of life is change. We don’t like it, yet we know it is the only constant. Every day we get up and . . . things have changed. Nothing is where we left it last night. Not the kids, not the dog, not the roses in the garden. Everything we had just […]
by David Anderson 4 Comments Filed Under: Change, Faith/Trust, Grace, Happiness, Letting Go, Now/ the Present, Reality--trusting it, Surrender
We are living in a time when the standard versions of religion are losing their appeal. The spirituality offered by these traditions seems small and niggling. Whatever is intended, the message people are getting is mostly about who’s got the truth and who doesn’t, who belongs inside the circle and who doesn’t, who’s having the […]
by David Anderson 4 Comments Filed Under: Faith in Action, Freedom, Grace, Happiness, Justice/Peace, Uncategorized