Archive for January 2020

Everyone should be wary of using the word 'everyone'

Everyone should be wary of using the word 'everyone'
Over the past weekend, I noticed a trend in the news, especially on the radio and social media. Many commentators and reporters were referring to the helicopter crash in California that had “everyone” talking, “everyone” grieving, and quotes from people saying “everyone” was in shock. Well, I kept listening and reading, and other stories were... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 29, 2020 at 11:05 am
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'Kindness and Wonder' -- Tell the truth, like Mister Rogers

'Kindness and Wonder' -- Tell the truth, like Mister Rogers
The fourth “Way to Live More Like Mister Rogers Right Now” in Gavin Edwards’ loveable, Sustaining book, “Kindness and Wonder,”  is to tell the truth. “In the twenty-first century, trying to dispel misinformation and celebrity rumors feels a lot like trying to beat back the Atlantic Ocean with a butterfly net,” writes Edwards. But “respect... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 27, 2020 at 4:00 pm
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'Kindness and Wonder' -- Like Mister Rogers, make a joyful noise

'Kindness and Wonder' -- Like Mister Rogers, make a joyful noise
The children’s TV show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was musical, and repeated songs were often ones that Rogers himself had written. Author Gavin Edwards calls his third way to be like Mister Rogers “Make a joyful noise,” in his book “Kindness and Wonder.” Catch up to previous “ways” in posts from recent Mondays. As Edwards notes, “Fred... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 20, 2020 at 4:00 pm
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The, most powerful word in the English language

The, most powerful word in the English language
No, that comma in the headline is not out of place. In the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) weekly newsletter, “”The Essential List: This week’s best stories,” the subject line caught my eye immediately: “The most powerful word in the English language.” Seriously, folks, you know I needed to read that. It turns out that “the”... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 17, 2020 at 1:57 pm
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'Kindness and Wonder' -- Be kind to strangers, like Mister Rogers was

'Kindness and Wonder' -- Be kind to strangers, like Mister Rogers was
Some of the stories in the second “Way to Be Like Mister Rogers,” part of Gavin Edwards’ book “Kindness and Wonder,”  choked me up with the beauty of Rogers’ bravery as he loved and comforted sick children — and injured people in general. It’s part of what already makes this part of my collection of... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 13, 2020 at 4:04 pm
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'Kindness and Wonder' -- To be like Mister Rogers, be 'deep and simple'

'Kindness and Wonder' -- To be like Mister Rogers, be 'deep and simple'
In Gavin Edwards’ book “Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever,” the first way to “Live More Like Mister Rogers Right Now” may look contradictory: “Be deep and simple.” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” remember, was aimed at very young children — those who had a deep need for answers that very few... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 6, 2020 at 4:09 pm
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'Kindness and Wonder' -- Mister Rogers and sustaining words for the new year

'Kindness and Wonder' -- Mister Rogers and sustaining words for the new year
Just after Christmas, I spotted an old friend on a new book: a photo of Fred Rogers on Gavin Edwards’ book “Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever” (New York, 2019; Harper Collins Publishers). Since I grew up watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” on Channel 11, Chicago’s public broadcasting station, much of... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 3, 2020 at 10:59 am
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More vision quotations for the year 2020

More vision quotations for the year 2020
“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” states The Holy Bible (Proverbs 29:18). But of course, that was written a long time before the present year descended upon us with its myriad opportunities for jokes about 20/20 vision. So here are some more quotations from Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations to help freshen your Serious conversations —... Read more »
By Margaret H. Laing,
January 1, 2020 at 10:00 am
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