Two devoted friends and brilliant minds — John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — fell out with each other over politics, personal slights and both feeling betrayed by the other. The feud not only embittered both, causing them to abandon all correspondence and relationship of any kind for many years, but divided friends and admirers. What a loss to the country. In 1809 a mutual signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, had a dream about the two former Presidents, wrote it down, and sent it to both men. In the dream he saw the alienated statesmen renew their friendship and begin corresponding with each other. John Adams, again…

Jonathan Swift’s satirical response to the plight of the Irish people after decades of poverty and abuse shocked the sensibilities of the 18th century. His solution in “A Modest Proposal” to the problem of children begging and starving was obvious and simple: Eat them. “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.” Even as satire, how could anyone propose such a thing? Recently,…

After years of pursuing high impact philanthropy and broad systemic change this is a time for many to resist being swept away by the enormity of the effects of the pandemic or discouraged by the relatively little we can do while confined to our homes and essential activities. While some, like Bill and Melinda Gates, have taken a global perspective, others have focused on the impact this will have on our national economy and the work of local philanthropy and non-profits. Some of the more optimistic see a sharp rebound back to normal while many are looking at a recovery that includes a serious recession and a five year timeline.…

Much of the controversy around immigration lately is how many of the decisions are swayed by whether or not the migrant is bringing talent that will benefit the country or is simply a drain on already stretched resources. This is not a new issue. Thousands of years ago, the leader of Babylonia, Nebuchadnezzar, carried off 10,000 of the defeated Hebrews into exile. He did not take everyone – only the military commanders, craftsmen, artists and educated. He carefully selected the best of the society and left the poorest to fend for themselves.  Those taken were not going as slaves but were relocated there to serve in government, business, and culture.…

It’s a familiar scene made even more so by movies and novels: the reading of the last will and testament. The somber family is seated quietly around the table in the law office. The attorney reaches down into his briefcase and pulls out the file. He puts on his glasses, clears his throat and starts slowly reading the wishes of the deceased. Of course, in the back of every mind is the obvious question, “How much did he leave me?” It’s not unnatural or even greedy. It’s pretty normal behavior. Everyone has some vague notion or hope, and then the attorney says, “Your father left a sprinkling trust” and closes…

When we moved to Tyler from New York I had lived for many years away from where I grew up. In fact, after leaving for school I never returned as my parents soon moved as well and their new home in Dallas never really was that for me. Moving around frequently became normal and I had accommodated myself to it. In fact, I had difficulty understanding those who chose for whatever reasons to stay in one place for most of their lives. I would not have called myself a drifter or a loner but I was rootless and unattached. I made friends easily but only temporarily. David Goodhart in his…

One of the most watched events of this century was Nik Wallenda’s tightrope walk across Niagara Falls. In so doing he became the first person to walk over the falls in 116 years and the first ever to walk right over the falls. If you saw it you probably remember the mist-obscured image of his dropping to one knee, fist-pumping, and then running to the end of the rope into the arms of his family. It was an astounding moment of personal victory. I’ve not seen any leadership books so far based on Wallenda’s feat. Why not a best-seller titled “Five Keys to Walking An Organization Across Niagara Falls”? I…

If I were to pick one word to describe my mail from nonprofits in December, it would be URGENT! Every email was intent on reminding me how little time I had left to take advantage of either matching grants, the looming end-of-the-year tax deadlines or a special opportunity that would close by December 31. I don’t blame the organizations for this. It’s hard to get our attention from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, so something has to break through the clutter. As well, end-of-the-year giving has grown so much in importance that a nonprofit would be foolish not to do everything they can to nudge donors that they only have…

  What if the Rich Fool in the parable did not physically die that night but his soul – the very thing that made him human -was repossessed? What might it mean to be soul-less; to be a dead man walking with whatever there was of real life in him gone forever? A damned soul but not yet a dead man? Thank you for joining us this morning for an interview with our special surprise guest, the Rich Fool. INT: Earlier, when we heard it was your last day we quickly put together a program to feature your life and achievements. What a shock to wake up and find you…

“Papa, how old are you?” my young grandson asked. “I’m 73.” “Whoa, and you are not dead yet?” That was pretty much the end of the conversation as he had moved on but it was one more reason to think about this stage of my life.  Some people have what screenwriters call a “story arc” where life moves from a calm beginning, a middle where narrative momentum builds to a peak, and an end where the conflict is resolved. Everything seems to progress along a plot line with one scene leading naturally to the next and at the end of their life we can say it fit together. It was…