Articles

ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT, and once again, I found myself literally walking on my knees on the concrete of my driveway. Looking up at the sky, I wondered how long I would have to endure the pain of my life.

I WAS TEN WHEN my mother passed on, and in the years that followed, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. I missed my mom, of course, but I also missed having a mom.

AS I EMPTIED the contents of my desk into a cardboard box to carry down to the parking garage, the sense of personal failure was palpable. Only 12 months earlier I'd joined the company, hopeful that I could make a real contribution to this small investment advisor.

THIS MONTH Christians around the world rejoice because of Easter—the timeless, inspiring celebration of Christ Jesus' resurrection from the grave, and later his ascension entirely out of the material world. Through these events, Jesus proved for all time that life never ends.

I WAS A BIT SURPRISED. The Congressman answered my phone call right away.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A HUGE, two-ton elephant walking resignedly in a small circle, constrained only by a thin stick and flimsy rope tied to his ankle—and wondered why the elephant didn't just walk off? Why would he accept such a lot in life? I came across an article in the September 19, 2004, issue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that described how baby elephants that are to be used as working animals are trained. The article, "Don't be a dumbo," describes how a trainer fastens a heavy manacle and chain to the elephant's leg, securing the other end of the chain to a metal stake driven deep into the ground.

DAILY NEWS COVERAGE OF THE WAR IN IRAQ, or the instances of bombings in places such as England or Spain, as well as vehement debates among our political leaders about the best way to respond to terrorism, can all leave us feeling like helpless bystanders to a tragic world drama. We can also be drawn into heated arguments with colleagues over political choices.

WHILE INTERNING AS A COLLEGE STUDENT with an aerospace company, I had the task of implementing a design fix for a satellite. The rest of the engineering team wanted to move on to more exciting projects, but the job left to me was probably too important and complex to have been given to me, a novice.

BORN OUT OF THE POTATO FIELDS OF LONG ISLAND just after World War II, Levittown, New York, became one of the first planned suburban communities of tract housing in the United States. With the establishment of the new town, Levittown's first "pioneers," many of them war veterans, decided to set up life out in the country—30 miles east of New York City.

1. Bob Press believes that when we focus on the spiritual nature of ourselves and others, we're playing a significant role in helping to end terrorism.