Category Archives: Commentary

Throwing a Perfect Family Reunion Party

Posted on June 7, 2017 by

By Aimee Lyons Planning a family reunion this summer? Here are a few things to keep in mind before the crowd arrives. Before Aimee shares her tips, let me reminisce… Family reunions can be remarkable moments that bind a family … Continue reading →

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Storytelling: Global Reflections on Narrative:: A Highly Unusual Conference Format

Posted on July 15, 2016 by

Ponder this: 70+ people invited after submitting 300-word proposals to present 20 minutes (basically a TED Talk) on something related to the announced conference theme. People from 23 countries come to Mansfield College, Oxford, rooming in the dorm. Those presentations … Continue reading →

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What does “freedom” mean?

Posted on March 30, 2016 by

Last week I convened another discussion on “thoughtful aging.” Amid the talk of life’s mixed gifts, Kathryn C. gifted me with an “Aha Moment”–“When I retired, I was giddy I was so happy! Such freedom!” Something rang hauntingly familiar. When Kathryn said … Continue reading →

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Shame or Guilt?

Posted on March 16, 2016 by

David Brooks, the columnist I love to hate/hate to love, has done it again–published an essay that cogently covers an issue I’ve been ruminating on for the past half year. The article is titled The Shame Culture. In it Brooks writes, “In a guilt … Continue reading →

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Youthquake, Agequake, Entrepreneur: what does it mean to be “unprecedented”?

Posted on February 3, 2016 by

A blog post I wrote appears today on the Association of Personal Historians’ blog. In it I discuss something that’s been on my mind a lot lately–my cohort of Boomers who are reaching traditional retirement age in unprecedented numbers, with an … Continue reading →

Posted in Call for action, Commentary | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Potpourri

Posted on January 22, 2016 by

The word “potpourri” originated in the early 17th century, when it denoted a stew made of different kinds of meat. Today’s “True Stories Well Told” is a mixed meal of opportunities you might want to take advantage of. Over the … Continue reading →

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“Be the ancestor you wish you had!”

Posted on December 24, 2015 by

I heard that phrase from an attendee at a writing talk I gave in Belleville a few years ago, and it stuck with me because it so perfectly captured one of the reasons why I encourage people to write their … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Writing prompt | 1 Comment