When I was in graduate school, I took a summer reading class focusing on ancient spiritual, contemplative and mystical writings. We had to choose five from a list of “monk books.” I called them that because many were centuries old and some so difficult to absorb, it took the patience of a monk to read …
Growth and personal change are very important to me, even as a man in his 60’s. I’m not entirely sure where this drive came from. Keyholder said few men my age are even remotely interested in doing the work of change, so I consider myself fortunate for possessing some impulse to act upon. I listen …
It’s a new question I ask the host now when planning the menu for their unique Portico Experience. It’s important for me to curate an evening that my guests will thoroughly enjoy. The last thing I want to do is serve someone something they don’t like. It was an adjustment to me when I became …
My daughter got married in October. Her central theme in the design of her ceremony was, “The Best is Yet to Come.” A bold proclamation from the young woman whose mother wasn’t with her on the most memorable of days. So is that just a nice sentiment or is it a rock solid foundation on …
I am a writer. An obvious statement to you, my reader, but it wasn’t an easy title to embrace. It took me two years into opening my first restaurant to refer to myself as chef and about as long to feel comfortable wearing a chef coat. We had one cook in the opening days that …
YouTube knows my interest and fascination with stories about fallen leaders among The Church As We Know It. Now, everytime I open the app, the algorithm lines up another group of videos of pastors who were caught up in some newsworthy scandal. Daily it seems, there is a new and inordinate set of incidents coming …
Let’s say you’re in a waiting room, in line to see your doctor. You find a seat and a conversation with a random stranger sitting next to you ensues. Suddenly and bluntly, the person begins telling you a story. You aren’t interested, but it quickly becomes a really outrageous one, so you set your phone …
Whatever makes you angry is the thing that matters most to you. Tell me what makes your blood boil and it will soon be clear to me where you see injustice. And if we talk long enough, you’ll reveal a painful story that explains that anger. Anger is the most basic and fundamental human emotion. …
Cooking professionally is a deeply personal profession. It’s different from many other trades. People don’t tend to take pictures of the clogged toilet that the plumber cleared after a late night service call. But they can’t help but pull out their phone and take multiple pictures and video of each dish and plate of food …
Six years ago, I was inducted into the International Society of Widows and Widowers. Soon after, I began to regularly meet other members who also had become members without their consent. It’s amazing how we all seem to come out of the woodwork and find each other. I randomly (seemingly) met many who had lost …