Update

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 Once upon a time , someone asked me if I would be happy working a job that was not at the university. Since my position at the university closed in 2020, I found myself doing exactly that— working in jobs not at the university. It has been a very difficult transition.  Recently, things shifted quickly and in unexpected ways. The short version is that I am leaving the hotel which I am currently working, having taken a position at another.  The longer version of the story is that I stopped by to see my good friend and former GM at his new hotel. While I was visiting with him, one of the owners came out and introduced himself and we got to talking. After a few minutes, he said he wanted me to meet his brother. Our conversation turned into a job interview and 48 hours later I accepted a new position as front desk, manager and assistant operations manager. After some negotiating, we reached an agreement and I start my new position on April 9. It’s a much nicer hotel and these...

Virtuous Living

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Across the front of my rolltop desk, in front of pictures of my mother and step-mother and a sundry other items, one finds eight medallions on display. The first medallion is the "keystone", if you will, that unlocks the meaning of the other seven. These days of uncertainty and upheaval, both personally and worldwide, have driven me to meditate on that first medallion. It reminds me that when one acts according to wisdom (truth), one is emboldened with courage and self-control to do what is right (justice).

It is not my intent to debate the number of virtues or begin some deep discussion of ethics or the nature of "good." I intend to stress that living in pursuit of these four virtues while job hunting, while grandbaby sitting, while thinking as I mow the lawn, as I try to maintain the six-foot rule at Walmart, good occurs and I am content and find peace.


One would be hard-pressed to find anything better than wisdom (truth), self-control, courage and justice--but if one finds anything better, then abandon these and follow that.

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