What a wonderful opportunity the pandemic has given us—the gift of free time to sort through old files and letters that we have been procrastinating about for years. The time has come to unearth them from the bottom drawers and old boxes stuffed in garages and store rooms. We hang on to these memorabilia to MORE >
Natasha Josefowitz
The World
The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist, (1879-1955) In other words, the world is not real. Each one of us experiences it differently so to reach consensus needs a willingness to rethink what we believe as true.
Never Enough
What is laid down, ordered, factual is never enough to embrace the whole truth: life always spills over the rim of every cup.” Boris Pasternak, Russian poet, novelist and literary translator (1890–1960) We never know enough to judge impartially and so must remain open to new contradictions and not stick to one’s beliefs no matter MORE >
The Importance of Learning How to Say “No” Without Feeling Guilty
I do it; all my friends do it; everyone I know does it. “We all say “yes,” “OK,” “I’ll do it,” when we don’t want to. It can be a favor for a friend, additional work for an employer, a helping hand to a co-worker, an errand for a relative, a committee we don’t want MORE >
Barricades
Barricades of ideas are worth more than barricades of stones. José Martí, Cuban revolutionary, poet, journalist and publisher (1853–1895) This is a plea for free speech, no matter how controversial. It is ideas that have changed the world; they outlast buildings.
Books
In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher and poet (1803–1882) This is why it is so difficult to give away books we have read; they are the symbols of our humanity and are part MORE >
Purging Excesses
Beauty is the purgation of superfluities.” Michelangelo Buonarroti, Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet (1475–1564) It is true for writing—I keep eliminating anything that seems to not compliment the purpose of the piece. Writing, like art, is best done to its bare essentials.
Saving the Earth
Myth: We have to save the earth. Frankly, the earth doesn’t need to be saved. Nature doesn’t give a hoot if human beings are here or not. The planet has survived cataclysmic and catastrophic changes for millions upon millions of years. Over that time, it is widely believed, 99 percent of all species have come MORE >
Acts of Violence
It is not only the prisoners who grow coarse and hardened from corporal punishment, but those as well who perpetrate the act or are present to witness it.” Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short-story writer (1860–1904) We become immune to acts of violence when seen enough times to perceive it as normal. People who perpetuate MORE >
You Can’t Learn When Hungry
You’ve got to have something to eat, and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body’s sermon on how to behave.” Billie Holiday, African American jazz singer (1915–1959) This is not only true in places of worship, this is true in schools where hungry children cannot sit still MORE >