Worldwide Stew

Deputized on Ash Wednesday

It’s Ash Wednesday. I feel a little sad about that. Why? When I think of Ash Wednesday, here’s the thing I remember most.

I was a chaplain at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital in Dallas. Even though I wasn’t Catholic, each Ash Wednesday I was deputized to impose Ashes on the foreheads of anyone who wanted them. I received Ashes and then was deputized to impose them on others. I would visit every unit at the hospital to make sure people could get Ashes if they wanted them. There were always lots of questions:

Finding Wisdom Beyond Desperation

When we lead from wisdom, we must first recognize when desire transforms into craving.

My vision for creating meaningful mindfulness opportunities keeps me motivated, but I’ve noticed how easily genuine passion can transform into an anxious urgency—a shift that rarely allows for clear discernment or thoughtful decision-making.

Operating from desperation narrows our vision. It tempts us toward shortcuts, clouds our understanding, and blinds us to others’ authentic motives and needs.

Veni Vidi Vici

Veni, Vidi, Vici

This phrase, Latin for I came, I saw, I conquered, was reportedly uttered by Julius Caesar. At least that’s what my high school Latin teacher and Wikipedia say. Wikipedia says it refers to a swift, decisive victory.

The Saturday Night Monster

The Saturday Night Monster

Late on Saturday nights, the most frightening monster of all enters our home. It drags me to the fridge, seizing my hands and coercing them into into the freezer section. Resistance, as they say, is futile. Before I know it, I’ve succumbed to it’s cruel overtures.

If I were more mindful about the Saturday Night Monster,

Or, if I wanted to be more mindful about the Saturday Night Monster,

You are beautiful

I was passing through the living room. An advertisement was on the television. I feel a special contempt for these kinds of ads. A woman had used some kind of special formula." As a result os using the preparation she said, I was beautiful."

No, dear lady. To the extent you’re beautiful, it comes from the inside.

In the many years I cared for very sick people, I saw many of them when they regarded themselves as ugly.