Thoughts on Living Well

This blog can be a guide through the complexities of today’s world. Dive into insightful commentary, timeless stories, and the rich wisdom of literature as James shares his experiences and perspectives. Whether you’re seeking solace in troubled times or simply a fresh perspective on life, you’ve found the right place.

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About

My name is James. I am a retired grandfather of two who enjoys spending time with his two grandsons to help their mom and dad guide them in navigating what seems to be an unraveling world lacking role models and persons of exemplary character.  I am starting this blog because I want to instill hope and enable people to see silver-linings in an ever-cloudier landscape.  

I have an especial interest in education and literacy, having served as tutor, advocate, and outreach coordinator for my local literacy council.  I hope that I can, in some small measure, assist readers find their voice, sharing what I have learned from a long life of lived experience.   

Starting from the premise that all politics is “downstream” from culture, and that literature is the well-spring of a healthy culture, I have discovered a wealth of wisdom to be found in testimonies from stories in history and humane letters that will instruct seekers and tame the waywardness of the human heart.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the world and all that is taking place, and you are interested in timely commentary from a traditional perspective, you have come to the right place.  

Most Recent Post

THE LITTLE PLATOONS OF HUMAN CAPITAL

On my last post, [1] I concluded that nations are born and built on notions of liberty—which begs a fundamental, philosophical question: what is liberty for, and how does it arise among a people?  In the American experience, the early colonists knew that conflict is inevitable in any society, so they created a system of liberty, with limits and constraints, on the exercise of their “liberties.”  Their solution to the problem?  Build fences.  The more, the better.  Good fences, in their view, make good neighbors.  Good neighbors cooperate to mend fences.  To mend fences is a task of cooperation and ...
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THE LITTLE PLATOONS OF HUMAN CAPITAL

On my last post, [1] I concluded that nations are born and built on notions of liberty—which begs a fundamental, philosophical question: what is liberty ...
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NORTH AMERICA: A TALE OF TWO PROGRESSES

When the American Civil War ended with the surrender of General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, scarcely any American, north or south, could estimate how ...
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PROGRESSIVISM: FROM ABOLITION TO A NEW SERFDOM

In my last post (Onward Progress), I had intended to give an account of the history of progress from its origins in Medieval Europe, especially ...
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ONWARD PROGRESS

Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the ...
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R.I.P. Charlie Kirk

“In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares.” –Abraham ...
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CIVILIZATIONAL NIGHT AND THE DARK ENLIGHTENMENT

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. – Ernest Hemingway CIVILIZATION IN HISTORY Civilization, as a salient topic of ...
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