This is where it all officially began—with the Declaration of Independence. Below are the most familiar paragraphs from this historic document. I would like to encourage you to take a moment to read these paragraphs in gratitude for the reason…
The Beauty of America
When you think of the beauty of America—geographically speaking—what do you picture in your mind? In listening to patriotic music recently, I realized that nearly all of our patriotic songs mention at least one picturesque element of the landscape of…
How to Celebrate the Fourth of July
Nestled in the beauty of Northern Indiana, the little town of Nappanee has been the site of my Independence Day celebrations for the last several years. (I am sad not to be able to be there this year.) Sitting at…
Half-Year’s Resolutions
This Sunday is the first day of the week, the first day of the month, and the first day of the second half of 2012. Some of you will read that and say, “Cool.” (Notice the absence of the exclamation…
Mingling with Sparrows
Did you ever watch “That Girl” on television, either when it originally aired or via one of the oldies re-runs channels? In one of my favorite episodes, “Ann Marie,” played by Marlo Thomas, goes to an elegant business event with…