Personal Power

January 11, 2024

Imagining the next life stages III

By Bob Sitze

In Lifestyle, Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Time

January 11, 2024

2 Min Read

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11January

(Today’s blog is the third in a series of entries that treat a matter that most older adults eventually face: How will we live well when we can no longer take care of ourselves?) Once we’ve confronted our fears and worked at reframing our thinking, the next steps seem to be largely practical: Research the optimum facilities and choose the best options. There might be an intermediate step, though:MORE...

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January 4, 2024

Imagining the next life stages I

By Bob Sitze

In For Caregivers, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Time

January 4, 2024

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04January

(Today’s blog is the first of a series of four entries that treat a matter that most older adults eventually face: How will we live well when that becomes difficult?) Presently, Chris and I take care of ourselves, our capabilities not yet severely diminished. I think we’re ready for what comes next. We’ve followed the guidance of counselors, physicians, financial advisors and friends, putting inMORE...

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December 18, 2023

Magnificat revisited

By Bob Sitze

In Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Words

December 18, 2023

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18December

Earlier in life, I took heart from the Magnificat’s message (Luke 2:46-55). Perhaps God could use me to feed hungry people, cast down the mighty from their seats, show mercy to those who were poor and put humble people in places of power! That felt like a righteous, even prophetic ministry. I also missed something along the way. I had overlooked another side of Mary’s borrowed and revised songMORE...

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November 16, 2023

Thankswriting

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Words

November 16, 2023

2 Min Read

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16November

One of Chicagoland’s best newspaper columnists is a guy named *Neil Steinberg. Like all good writers, he’s nimble with words. His faith, heritage and life experience have rendered him wise, empathetic and honest. His columns consistently shine light on difficult subjects, and he showers kindness on under-appreciated facets of civic life. He’s transparent about his emotions, his struggles and hisMORE...

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November 13, 2023

An elderly nudge

By Bob Sitze

In Death/Dying, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Relationships, Soul Searchings

November 13, 2023

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13November

In times of high anxiety—right now?—two of our core capabilities may be at risk: Agency and motivation. (“Agency” identifies our power to affect change, in ourselves or others. “Motivation” is an inner trait that positively alters our willingness to act.) Why might this diminishing of capabilities be happening? The isolating fear of disease, danger or death during COVID19 may have taken away ourMORE...

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October 26, 2023

Off-the-rails ministry

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, For Caregivers, Personal Power, Relationships

October 26, 2023

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26October

  It’s difficult to be a pastor in normal times, but that ministry may be even harder right now: Some members and their enterprises are coming undone. Those of us who try to care for others may encounter individuals whose mental states seem to be coming off the rails. As your pastor may be experiencing, that’s tough work. What, then, can we do for our cherished leaders? A few thoughts comeMORE...

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October 19, 2023

(Not) minor characters

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Personal Power, Soul Searchings

October 19, 2023

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19October

The latest thematic direction for one of our congregation’s Bible classes is the study of supposedly lesser characters in the Scripture. Two enduring realizations: There are lots of these men and women. And they are definitely not “minor” in any way. Rev. Paul Olson, retired pastor and continuing biblical scholar, leads the class. His process involves two major elements: ❶ Unearthing significantMORE...

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October 12, 2023

If/then prophets

By Bob Sitze

In Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Time, Words

October 12, 2023

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12October

Ancient prophets were probably prudent as well as prescient. They looked around and saw the realities of consequences. Seeing likely corollaries —“if/then” at its root—they could look ahead and conclude what might occur in the future. Inequities and iniquities would bring on “punishment.” Idolatry—including the sexually pleasurable worship of pagan gods and goddesses—would also weaken societyMORE...

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October 2, 2023

Perseveration begone!

By Bob Sitze

In Personal Power, Relationships, Words

October 2, 2023

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02October

One of my emerging personality traits is beginning to bother me: My tendency to repeat beloved personal stories to people who’ve most likely heard those tales before. Right now, this behavior might be only an occasional vexation, but it might also lead me inexorably towards perseveration—the tendency toward repeated actions, utterance or thought patterns without apparent stimulus. Granted, atMORE...

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September 25, 2023

Ranting (and raving)

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Relationships, Soul Searchings, Words

September 25, 2023

2 Min Read

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25September

One of the occasional hobbies of older gentlemen such as myself is the questionably pleasurable practice of ranting. From its local particulars—“Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!”—to its generalized condemnations—“They’re crooks, all of them!”—ranting might seem to be a tolerable way of passing time in impolite company. High-level ranting requires adroit word-finding skills and physical posturingMORE...

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