Weekly Perspective

The Holidays are before us--our team chose this courtesy the Economist of London about a possible window into 2023 as we look forward to the continued privilege to serve: The World Ahead 2023 Donald Trump and Joe Biden both want to run again But their parties may have other ideas The World Ahead 2023 India will become the world’s most populous country in 2023 China is now suffering from a demographic slump The World Ahead 2023 How the war in Ukraine is reshaping America’s global alliances There are signs of Europeans and Asian countries stepping up The World Ahead 2023 23 items of vital vocabulary you’ll need to know in 2023 Passkeys? Post-quantum cryptography? Vertiports? Get up to speed here

  As we go dark thru Thanksgiving Weekend here in the United States, we present the following #RandomThoughts as we look forward to the continued privilege to serve: Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk Called  Encocado de Camarón  in Spanish, this traditional coastal Ecuadorian dish features shrimp simmered in a broth of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and coconut milk. Serve it with a side of rice and our sweet ripe plantains known as  maduros . See Recipe Middle Eastern Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Lamb This stuffed zucchini dish is a traditional Middle Eastern favorite. Known as  Kousa Mahshi , the zucchini squash is filled with ground lamb, tomato sauce, rice, aromatic spices like cumin and paprika, and freshly chopped mint. See Recipe   American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future New NEH initiative emphasizes the role of the humanities in tackling contemporary social challenges: strengthening our democracy, advancing equity for all, and addressing our changing climate     W

    The 16 Greatest Lessons From 16 Years With Marcus Aurelius 1:  In my first read of  Meditations , I highlighted the line “It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character.” But COVID created a different way for me to see and understand what Marcus was writing about. When he talks about how there’s two kinds of plagues: the plague that can take your life and the plague that can destroy your character — he was talking about the things that we’re seeing in the world, that we saw on a daily basis over the last two years. 2:  One of my favorite lines: “To accept without arrogance, to let it go with indifference.” Another translation of the same: “Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” Meaning: You are who you are, success or failure, admired or ignored. 3:  In Book Five, I learned what philosophy really is. It’s not an “instructor,” as Marcus put it. It’s not the courses I was taking in school. It is medicine. It’s “a soothing ointment, a warm lotion.” It’s designed to

    On this Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance day in the UK and the Commonwealth, we pay homage to all who have served and continue to serve as we present the proclamation from the President of the United States: A Proclamation on Veterans Day,   2022        Today, we honor generations of patriots who have earned the title of “American veteran” — a badge of courage that unites the finest group of former service members the world has ever known.  With their selfless sacrifice, our Armed Forces have forged and defended the very idea of America — a promise of freedom and equality, democracy and justice, possibility and hope.  We owe them an incredible debt that can never be fully repaid.      Veterans Day is personal to the Biden family.  We have felt the pride that comes with seeing your child wear the uniform of the United States and the pain of long deployments far from home.  We know what it is like to pray every day for the safe return of someone you love.  And we hav