loving art, science and creative kids
10/16/2026 3:49:11 PM
FAMILY OUTING
Family: The More, the Merrier?
I grew up in a traditional family: a mother, a father, three siblings, and lots of relatives. My grandparents played an important role in my upbringing. Grandpa, an amateur photographer, taught me to process film in his basement darkroom. Grandma took me to the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra’s children’s concerts. Afterward, we would stop for lunch—waffles smothered with ice cream. I can almost taste them now.
As a young woman, I dreamed of marrying early and raising at least six children in what I considered a medium-sized family. I made it to five, never imagining that in my late thirties I would launch a career as demanding as helping my children grow into the caring, competent adults they are today.
Last weekend, I attended a granddaughter’s wedding. Counting my children, their spouses, my grandchildren, and their partners and children, we numbered nearly thirty. Add the children and grandchildren I've adopted, along with their challenges and successes, and life is never boring!
Finding My Own Way. It would have been easy to get swallowed up in family responsibilities and lose my identity. But I came of age during the women's movement and wanted to discover who I was beyond my role as a wife and mother. I also wanted to prove that I could make my own way in the world.
It wasn't easy. When I started my museum, all the board members were men. Most ran companies whose boards were also dominated by men. Business and university clubs often excluded women. Business trips to the Caribbean and Baja Peninsula could involve heavy drinking and prostitution, while women were left outside these circles of professional influence. It was a man's world, and women had a long way to go to gain equal footing.
As I built my career, my children became part of the generation known as latchkey kids. The older ones were in high school and the younger ones in middle school. They sometimes came to the museum, helping in the gift shop or serving as guides. The younger children enrolled in museum-sponsored classes.
Still, I wasn't home when school let out, which was often when trouble started. I created a family problem box where the children could put their complaints. After dinner, we'd pull them out and discuss solutions together. It worked—at least some of the time!
Like many working parents, I was learning to balance a career with family responsibilities. There were competing demands, occasional guilt, and plenty of improvisation. Somehow, we made it through.
Families Change. The women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s challenged traditional expectations about marriage, employment, and child-rearing. Greater access to birth control and changes in the law gave women more choices about their lives.
Family structures have continued to evolve. Today, families include married couples with children, couples without children, single parents, unmarried partners, multigenerational households, and same-sex couples. There are also those who create families through adoption and close personal bonds.
According to Pew Research Center, in 1970, about 67 percent of Americans ages 25 to 49 lived with a spouse and at least one child under 18. By 2023, that figure had fallen to 37 percent. Americans are marrying less often, having children later, and having fewer children overall.
Economic pressures, housing costs, career goals, changing expectations, and the difficulty of finding a stable partner all play a role. These choices have consequences. Fewer children may mean fewer workers supporting a growing older population, while adult children increasingly find themselves caring for aging parents as they raise their own families and manage demanding jobs.
Affordable child care, paid family leave, and tax credits could ease some of the pressure on parents. But family decisions are personal, and there is no single arrangement that works for everyone.
What Matters Most? For me, one of the greatest rewards of a large family is the way people reconnect. At the wedding last weekend, the room reverberated with happy chatter. Parents, children, cousins, and relatives caught up, shared stories, and celebrated a new beginning. With Zoom and FaceTime now available, I know many will stay connected long after the party ends.
I'm grateful that I had my large family when I did. I love watching the generations grow and seeing relationships develop in ways I could never have imagined when I was a young mother.
Of course, having a big family doesn't mean there aren't problems. But when someone hits a stumbling block, there are usually people ready to help. We celebrate one another's successes and try to show up when life gets difficult.
But a large family isn't the only way to find connection. Some people are only children, live far from relatives, or have family relationships that aren't close or supportive. In those circumstances, building a community may take extra effort. Friends, neighbors, and chosen family can also provide love and encouragement. The people who show up for us are the ones who matter most, whether or not we're related by blood. A strong community helps us weather life's unexpected turns and reminds us that we don't have to face everything alone.
I left the wedding feeling fortunate—not simply because my family is relatively large, but because it is close. For a few hours, surrounded by people who cared about one another, I felt at peace. I had followed the right path for me, and I was content.
What I hope everyone can find is a circle of people who make life richer, funnier, and a little easier to navigate. If you're lucky enough to have a large family, enjoy it. If your circle is smaller, nurture the people in it. And if you need to build your circle from scratch, it's never too late to start. After all, the best part of family isn't how many people are in the room. It's how glad you are to see them when they walk through the door.
References
Pew Research Center. The Modern American Family.
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/09/14/the-modern-american-family/
Pew Research Center. Family and Relationships.
https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/family-relationships/
I look forward to hearing about your family, whether biological or created.
Art is always for sale through my website. FAMILY OUTING can be fond at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3044972/family-outing#/
The Rightfully Mine Series speaks this genration, urging our youth and young adults not to give up the right to clean water, air, and safe foo. They are inalienable righta. Once they understand what is at stake, hopefully they will be moved to do something about it. To purchase books for your children and grandchildren, go to AMAZON
10/13/2026 9:36:52 AM
Floating in Space.
Am I successful in portraying a sense of wonder and mystery in outer space with this painting? Is that enough, or is it only successful if someone purchases it?
Success Is Finding a Reason to Move Forward
How do you measure success? Winston Churchill is thought to have said, “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm,” and that “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” These quotes capture an important truth: success can depend less on our achievements than on our willingness to keep going.Resilience and mindset are at the heart of these messages. Rather than an uninterrupted string of victories., success is the ability to recover from setbacks, learn from mistakes, and find the determination to try again. Ongoing enthusiasm bridges the gap between failure and eventual achievement.
Many of the goals I achieved were met simply because I persisted, pursuing my dream despite adversity and the nay sayers encouraging me to stop. Most of those were well-meaning friends and family concerned that I would fail, lose money, or become distraught. Instead of listening to them, I learned how to deal with failure.
The inability to cope with failure is an obstacle that keeps many people from trying. From childhood, we're taught to avoid failure and we rarely analyze the causes and discuss it openly, fearing embarrassment or humiliation. It's easier to hide our disappointments and not try than admit that something we tried didn't work.
I think that approach is misguided and a sad way to go through life. Failure happens to all of us. Why push it into our subconscious and pretend it never happened? Our failures are stepping stones that can teach us lessons. The challenge is to enjoy the process, use what we learned and move forward.
A famous Thomas Edison quote says, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Whether or not those were his exact words, his experimental approach to invention illustrates the point. He conducted thousands of experiments and worked on many inventions before developing a commercially practical incandescent lighting system. What others might have considered wasted effort, he treated as part of the process.
People sometimes stop trying because they're exhausted or discouraged, not necessarily because their goal is out of reach. When the going gets tough it’s time to double down or decide if your goal needs to be altered.
Building my first museum was a minefield of rejection, setbacks, and failed attempts. At times, I wondered whether it would ever succeed, especially given Lansing’s political climate at the time. But circumstances change. Politicians change. People gradually begin to understand what I was trying to accomplish, and some become my strongest supporters. That doesn't mean the road got easier. As the museum developed, new obstacles appeared involving permits, financing, and staffing. Just when one problem seemed resolved, another emerged. I remember when a winter storm deposited so much snow, the roof collapsed.
What kept me going were the small victories: the smiles on children's faces when they experienced an “aha!” moment while using one of our hands-on exhibits, and the encouragement of friends who volunteered their time. Those moments made the struggle worthwhile. Eventually, I stopped dwelling on the months when my efforts seemed to accomplish nothing. What I loved most about museum work was making displays that made visitors think. Yet, I soon realized that developing interactive exhibits wasn't the hardest part. It was persuading the public to embrace the idea of a hands-on science museum and getting them to support it.
Years later, I encountered a similar challenge when I began a writing career after retirement. People sometimes asked, “Why bother trying to get published? Write for your own enjoyment. Sure, improve your writing if you like, but don't worry if your books don't sell.” The more I heard this advice, the more determined I became to ignore it. I wasn't writing simply to keep busy and improve my writing skills, yet that was important. I had something to say about the right to clean air, water, and safe food, and wanted people to look at these human rights with fresh eyes.
Environmental concerns are easy to ignore when they compete with the demands of everyday life. Still, I believe our planet needs us to become better caretakers. I’ve read dozens of nonfiction books filled with facts and figures about the problems the earth faces. But facts alone don't necessarily change minds. The question in my mind that keeps me going is much the same as it was when I started a museum: How do I reach people who aren't already interested in the environment or science and persuade them to pay attention?
That’s a puzzle that continues to challenge me. I've learned a great deal about climate change and continue to hone my writing skills, but marketing still drives me crazy. Some independent authors spend tens of thousands of dollars promoting their books. I don't have that kind of money, so I keep looking for other ways to reach readers.
Am I a successful writer? I've won national and international awards, yet I'm still largely unknown. I hear from plenty of people who promise to make my books famous, provided I hire them. Unfortunately, many of these offers come from people more interested in my money than what I'm writing.
I continue to improve my craft and enjoy speaking to reading clubs. But I'll admit that I no longer have the enthusiasm for marketing that I once did. I want to write books that make people think, not spend my days trying to convince them to buy those books. If I don't overcome that reluctance, I can't succeed—or can I? If hundreds of people are enlightened by what they read, is that enough to say I’m successful? Do I need thousands?
That's my story. What's yours?
What have you tried to accomplish that required perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks? Did you pursue a sport when you were younger, only to give up when progress became difficult? Did you start a career believing you would reach the top of the organization, then abandon that ambition halfway through because the sacrifices seemed too great? Or perhaps you pursued a personal dream that others didn't understand.
Did persistence pay off in ways you never anticipated? During the process did your goals change? Did you discover that a different direction made more sense? Perseverance doesn't mean stubbornly pursuing every ambition forever. Sometimes success means recognizing that the path you were on isn’t viable and it’s time to change course.
So what is success? Thomas Edison became a celebrated inventor and businessman whose work helped transform modern life. Winston Churchill, after a long and often turbulent political career, became Britain's wartime prime minister and won the 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature for his historical and biographical writing. Their achievements were monumental. Both men left lasting marks on the world.
Most of us will never receive that level of recognition. We may never become famous, change the course of history, or see our names celebrated in books. But we still set goals, overcome obstacles, learn new skills, and find ways to contribute to the world around us. Those pursuits give meaning to our days. Small victories bring satisfaction. The people we meet on the way, the ideas we share, those we help, and the challenges we overcome can provide more satisfaction than public recognition.
My advice? Don't spend too much time worrying about whether the world considers you successful. Decide what matters to you, pursue it with determination, and take pleasure in the progress you make along the way. Perhaps success isn't reaching a final destination. Perhaps it's having a reason to keep moving forward.
I look forward to your comments below.
Art is always for sale through my web site. Interested in Floating in Space? Go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6696813/floating-in-space#/
References:
Wie.J. (2026). Many Of Life’s Failures Are People Who Did Not Realize How Close They Were to Success When They Gave Up – Thomas A. Edison. DUE. Retrieved from
10/2/2026 6:43:50 PM
SEE ALL
The painting is like a Rorschach Test. What you see may say something about your personality.
Who Makes Life Fun?
Who do you like to spend time with? And what’s your definition of fun? Is it jumping into a pit filled with plastic balls and trying to make your way through it? Or climbing a rock wall secured to a tether? Playing a round of golf? Perhaps you’d rather sit on a beach, watch the sun set in a magnificent array of colors, and enjoy the quiet.
We all have different ideas about what makes life enjoyable. Some people gravitate toward humor, spontaneity, and adventure. Others prefer a good conversation, a creative project, or the simple pleasure of watching the world go by. What one person considers exhilarating, another might find exhausting.
Psychologists and personality researchers have devised numerous ways to categorize these differences. But do these classifications tell us what we really want to know? Can they predict whom we enjoy spending time with or what we consider fun?
Consider the Myers-Briggs personality system, which identifies 16 personality types based on four pairs of preferences. The categories include the practical Logistician, the analytical Logician, the imaginative Architect, the outgoing Entertainer, and the adventurous Entrepreneur, among others.
I confess that I find reading the entire Myers-Briggs list almost as entertaining as taking the test. We may recognize ourselves in some categories and our friends in others. Yet knowing someone's personality type doesn't necessarily tell us whether that person would enjoy a spontaneous road trip, a lively party, or an afternoon spent reading a book. If curious, explore the categories and take a personality test at 16Personalities.
Another system classifies people according to behavioral tendencies, motivations, or traditional astrological signs. The Type A and Type B framework, developed by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman in the 1950s, initially focused on behavior patterns in relation to heart disease. The Enneagram describes nine personality types, each associated with characteristic motivations and challenges. Astrology groups the twelve zodiac signs into four elements—fire, air, water, and earth—each with its own traditional personality traits.
Then there is the distinction between introverts and extroverts, popularized through the work of psychologist Carl Jung in the early twentieth century. Introverts tend to appreciate quieter settings and time alone to recharge, while extroverts generally enjoy social interaction. Many of us fall somewhere between the two. We might love a crowded party on Saturday night and crave solitude on Sunday morning.
These systems offer different ways of thinking about ourselves, but none can tell us everything about what makes us happy. They don’t tell who our preferences change with our moods, circumstances, and companions.
So what actually makes something fun? In her book The Power of Fun, Catherine Price identifies three elements of true fun: playfulness, connection, and flow. Playfulness involves being lighthearted, curious, and humorous. Connection comes from feeling engaged with other people. Flow occurs when we become so absorbed in an activity that we lose track of time. This perspective shifts the emphasis away from personality labels and toward what we experience.
Fun isn't necessarily about being outgoing, adventurous, or funny. It can emerge when we're fully engaged in something we enjoy, especially when we share that experience with others. Our emotional circumstances matter, too. Someone who feels lonely may experience social activities differently from someone who already feels connected to others. Simply putting people together doesn't guarantee they'll enjoy themselves. The quality of the interaction matters.
What does all this add up to? First, get to know yourself. Notice which activities leave you energized and which leave you drained. Do you enjoy competition, exploration, creativity, conversation, or quiet contemplation? Do you prefer planning an outing or deciding what to do on the spur of the moment?
Get to know your friends better. You may have one friend who loves hiking, another who enjoys discussing books, and a third who can turn an ordinary dinner into an evening of laughter. You don't have to share every interest to enjoy one another's company. Most importantly, don't expect one person to satisfy all your social needs. The friend who's perfect for a spirited debate may not be the one you want beside you while watching the sunset. And the person who enjoys a quiet afternoon with you may be reluctant to join you on a rock-climbing adventure.
Friendship doesn't require us to be alike. It requires us to appreciate our differences, find the experiences we enjoy together, and allow one another room to be ourselves. Perhaps the secret to having more fun isn't finding people with the right personality types. It's discovering what makes us feel most alive—and finding the people with whom we can share it.
I look forward to your thoughts in the comment section below.
See All is avaiable for sale through my website. If interested, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/5558644/see-all#/
Questions? Contact me at [email protected].
References:
Rung, R.. (2025). Is there a List of All Personality types? Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/list-of-personality-types
Price, C. The Power of Fun. copyright © 2021, randomhousebooks.com. ISBN 9780593241200
Reis,, H., O’Keefe,S & Lane,R. (2018) Fun is More Fun when Others Are Involved. National instate of Health Library. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5597001/
Website Myers-Briggs overview. Myers & Briggs Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/
Website. 16 Personalities. Take the Test. Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
9/18/2026 5:02:09 PM
Flying High:
Microscopic COVID viruses in 2019, impacted the lives of millions worldwide.
Small Things, Big Impact
We often think our lives are changed by major events—a graduation, a wedding, the birth of a child, the loss of someone we love. Yet when I look back, it isn't the dramatic milestones that shaped me most. It is the small moments, almost invisible at the time, that quietly redirected my life.
I remember when my one-year-old son finally learned how to navigate the six carpeted steps leading to our living room. Instead of tumbling down headfirst, he discovered that if he turned around and backed down, he could descend safely. It may have been only six stairs, but to him it was a monumental achievement. He climbed up and down them more than two dozen times before we finally pulled him away.
To an adult, mastering six steps hardly seems noteworthy. To my son, those stairs represented freedom. Suddenly, a whole new part of the house belonged to him. For me, it meant keeping a much closer eye on an adventurous toddler. Looking back, I realize those six little steps also taught me something: life's biggest transformations often begin with the smallest victories.
Many of my own turning points began just as quietly. I first became aware of prejudice while planning my eleventh birthday party. My mother told me I could invite every girl in my sixth-grade class except one—I'll call her Janine. She was the only Black girl in our predominantly white suburban classroom. Janine and I were playground friends, and I wanted her to celebrate with us.
My mother explained that Janine's birthday fell on the same day as mine, so she was probably having her own party. Even at eleven, I sensed that wasn't the real reason. I remember feeling confused, disappointed, and deeply uncomfortable. I had imagined a birthday cake with both our names on it. Instead, that simple conversation became one of the clearest memories of my childhood. It also became one of the most influential. That brief exchange awakened a lifelong sensitivity to racism and bigotry. I worried that Janine might feel rejected. Perhaps she did. We remained playground friends, but she never visited my home.
Years later, while I was in college, I encountered a quotation by Anatole France that quietly changed me once again: "Even a little dog is the center of his own universe.” Those few words transformed the way I viewed other people. I began to understand that every person experiences life through a unique collection of memories, joys, disappointments, and struggles. Just as no two fingerprints are identical, no two people interpret the world in exactly the same way. Over time, those countless experiences shape our personalities, our beliefs, and our values. That simple quotation made me slower to judge and more curious to understand.
My life also changed through the gentle influence of the people closest to me. Before the women's movement became part of everyday conversation, many girls grew up expecting to marry, raise children, and build a home. That was my dream as well. I planned to be the best wife and mother I could be, leaving the wider world largely to my husband.
Instead, my husbands gradually expanded my world. They introduced me to science, the arts, and travel. They encouraged my curiosity and supported me as I developed a career of my own. More importantly, they demonstrated the value of embracing the unknown instead of fearing it. None of those lessons arrived with fanfare. They came through countless conversations, shared experiences, and quiet encouragement. Looking back, I can see how those small influences accumulated until I became a stronger, more independent woman.
After two twenty-year marriages to wonderful men ended, I wondered whether I could continue growing on my own. I had learned from them how to live fully, but now I had to prove it to myself. Traveling alone, driving long distances, striking up conversations with strangers, speaking honestly, and standing up for causes I believed in did not come naturally. Each challenge seemed small by itself, but together they slowly built confidence. Growth, I discovered, isn't usually one giant leap. More often, it is a series of tiny acts of courage.
For the past thirty years, I have shared my life with someone whose interests differ from mine in many ways. Yet he, too, has quietly changed me. His love of the natural world deepened my own appreciation for forests, wildlife, and wild places—an influence that now finds its way into the novels I write.
When I look back over my life, I don't see a handful of dramatic turning points. I see hundreds of seemingly ordinary moments: a toddler mastering six stairs, an uncomfortable conversation with my mother, a quotation in a college classroom, words of encouragement from those I loved, small risks that gradually became larger ones. Individually, none of them seemed life-changing. Together, they became the stepping stones that led me to the person I am today.
What I write is true of the political world as well. Consider John Kennedy’s death and the World Trade Center’s collapse. One moment in time had world shattering consequences forevery one alive at the time.
Perhaps the same is true for you. Take a few minutes to look back over your own life. What small conversation, chance meeting, book, teacher, disappointment, or act of kindness quietly changed your direction? We often overlook these moments because they seem so ordinary. But when we connect them, we begin to see that our lives are shaped less by life's grand events than by the countless small experiences that, little by little, become who we are. My thanks to the people who shaped my life and made me stronger.
I look forward to your comments below.
Art is always for sale and can be purchased through my website. Go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3589866/flying-high#/
The second book in The Rightfully Mine Series, Antheia in the Thorns, is a Manhattan Gold Award winner. It follows The Water Factor, an International Firefly Award winner. Both books are filled with clips from my life, the people I met, the events I witnessed. Antheia in the Thorns was inspired by an event that occurred forty years ago. My husband and I were leaving a state park and passed men dumping barrels of sludge into a pond. Instead of stopping or at least calling the police, we raced from the scene, afraid of being caught. Perhaps Jen Russo’s journey is what I wished I had done instead of running away like a coward.
Books can be purchased by clicking AMAZON.
9/4/2026 3:26:41 PM
THE GREATEST OF MYSTERIES
Where do we come from? What are we?
Where are we going?
Life is a riddle and a mystery.
Mystery, mystery.
The congregation I belong to occasionally sings this song as a round during services. Whenever we do it, the lyrics start me wondering about the universe and my place in it. The questions are as old as humanity itself. Where did we come from? Why are we here? What are we? Where are we going? Does what we do—and the way we live—matter in the greater scheme of things?
For thousands of years, human beings could see only a tiny portion of the universe with their own eyes. They watched the sun cross the sky, the moon change shape, and the stars appear each night. They could not know that the stars were distant suns or that many of those stars were orbited by planets of their own. Today, astronomers have confirmed thousands of planets beyond our solar system, and the Milky Way is thought to contain billions of planets. Yet we still have no evidence that life exists anywhere beyond Earth.
The mystery has changed, but it has not disappeared. Where did we come from? It is a question humans have always struggled with because we seem to have an almost irresistible desire for certainty. Creation myths may have helped people make sense of a world they could not explain. Archaeological discoveries give us glimpses into ancient civilizations and the ways they understood their existence. The details differ enormously, but many creation stories ask the same fundamental questions that science asks today: How did the world begin? What existed before it? And how did we come to be part of it?
The ancient world: In ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish begins with primordial waters. The freshwater god Apsu and the saltwater goddess Tiamat give rise to other gods. Eventually, conflict erupts, and the storm god Marduk defeats Tiamat. He divides her body to form the heavens and the earth. Humanity is later created from clay mixed with the blood of a defeated god, with humans given the task of serving the gods.
The story is striking not because it resembles modern cosmology, but because it reflects an ancient attempt to explain how order emerged from chaos.
Hindu traditions offer a very different vision. Rather than describing a single creation followed by a single ending, many Hindu cosmological traditions envision an immense cycle of creation, preservation, destruction, and renewal. Brahma is associated with creation, Vishnu with preservation, and Shiva with destruction and transformation. The universe passes through enormous cycles of time rather than moving along a single, irreversible timeline. One of the most fascinating ideas in Hindu cosmology is that this universe is not necessarily the first—or the last. Creation and destruction are part of a continuing cosmic cycle. That concept has influenced Hindu thought about life, death, and reincarnation, although it would be an oversimplification to say that one creation story alone explains practices such as vegetarianism.
Raven and the creation of the world: The creation stories of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest are many and varied, and they should not be treated as though all tribes share a single mythology. One story that has always fascinated me comes from the Haida tradition.
Raven is a powerful and complicated figure—trickster, transformer, and creator. In one well-known story, Raven discovers the first humans inside a giant clamshell on a beach and coaxes them out into the world. The story was famously interpreted by Haida artist Bill Reid in his sculpture The Raven and the First Men. Other Northwest Coast traditions tell stories of Raven bringing light into a world that was once dark. In Tlingit tradition, for example, Raven releases the sun, moon, and stars that have been kept hidden away.
I include the Raven story for another reason. My partner, a totem-pole and mask carver and I used to tell this particular story when we performed at public gatherings. For me, it is more than an ancient creation myth. It is part of a living cultural tradition that I have had the privilege of encountering personally.
The Abrahamic traditions: The creation stories of Judaism and Christianity are found in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis, over seven days, God creates the heavens and the earth, separates light from darkness, creates the land and seas, vegetation, celestial bodies, animals, and finally human beings. The first humans, Adam and Eve, live in the Garden of Eden until they eat from the forbidden tree and are expelled. Islam also teaches that God created the heavens and the earth six days, but the Islamic creation account as found in the Qur'an varies slightly from the Genesis narrative. There is no day of rest. Creation occurred during six distinct cosmic phases or stages of development. The Qur'an states that time is relative to God and that a 'day" can equal 50,000 years or more. He chose to unfold the universe slowly to establish the laws of nature, cause and effect, and to serve as a lesson in patience for humankind.
A world born from eggs: The creation story in Finland's national epic, The Kalevala, could hardly be more different. Ilmatar, a spirit or maiden associated with the air, descends into the primordial waters. A water bird, often identified as a duck or goldeneye, mistakes her raised knee for a piece of land and builds a nest there. It lays seven eggs—six golden and one of iron. When the heat of the nesting eggs becomes unbearable, Ilmatar moves, and the eggs fall into the sea and break apart. Their fragments become the earth, sky, sun, and moon.
It is a beautiful image: the universe emerging from the broken pieces of eggs. And perhaps that is part of what creation myths do so well. They take something unimaginably large and mysterious and give it a form the human mind can grasp. Despite their differences, these traditions share a profound conviction: the universe is not meaningless. It has an origin, and human beings have a place within a larger order.
The mystery remains: Every culture seems to have wrestled with the same fundamental questions. Today, scientists are approaching those questions from a very different direction. Telescopes allow us to look billions of years into the past. We know that the universe is about 13.8 billion years old, and we have compelling evidence that it has been expanding from an extremely hot, dense early state. But the Big Bang theory does not provide a simple answer to the question, "What happened before?” In fact, scientists do not yet know whether that is even a meaningful question in the way we normally understand it. Our current theories can take us astonishingly close to the beginning, but they do not tell us what caused the initial expansion or what, if anything, preceded it. NASA notes that scientists are still unsure what came before cosmic inflation or what powered it.
The mysteries do not stop there. How did the first living organisms arise from nonliving matter? Why did life emerge on Earth? Is life common throughout the universe, or are we extraordinarily rare? We have discovered thousands of planets beyond our solar system, but so far Earth remains the only place where life is known to exist. And then there is perhaps the most intimate mystery of all: How did matter become conscious? We can look outward through increasingly powerful telescopes. We can look backward through the fossil record and the geological history of our planet. We can examine cells, genes, atoms, and galaxies. Yet after all we have learned, we still cannot answer the simplest questions with certainty; Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Does what we do matter?
Perhaps science will answer some of these questions. Perhaps new discoveries will reveal mysteries we cannot yet imagine. Or perhaps the mystery itself is part of what it means to be human.
Where do we come from? What are we?
Where are we going?
Life is a riddle and a mystery.
Mystery, mystery.
_________________
I look forward to knowing what you think about the universe and your place in it. Comment below.
Art is always for sale through my website. https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6655778/the-greatest-of-mysteries#/
Questions? Contact me at [email protected]
_______________
Resources:
Website (2026) Creation Myths Indept.Timeless Myths. https://www.creationmyths.org/#myths
Website (2026) Hindu Creation Story. Holy Cross College. Retrieved from https://college.holycross.edu/projects/himalayan_cultures/2006_plans/sswift/Hinducreationstory.htm
Website. Creation story as told by Charlie Depoe in 1900. Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest, University of Washington. Retrieved from https://www.washington.edu/uwired/outreach/cspn/Website/
Website. Spirits of the West Coast Gallery. Retrieved by https://spiritsofthewestcoast.com/en-au/blogs/news/the-many-stories-of-raven
Website (2026) Creation, cosmogaphy, and cosmology. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Finno-Ugric-religion/Mythology#ref533361
Website (2026) Can We Find Life? NASA Retrieved from https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/can-we-find-life/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Website (2026) Big Bang. NASA. Retrieved from https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/science-behind-the-discoveries/hubble-big-bang/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Website (2026) Early Universe. NASA. Retrieved from https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/early-universe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The breakdown of the six periods comes directly from the Qur'an.
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Why would a God create such a beautiful planet that puts people on it who pollute and deplete its resources? It doesn't make sense. To read about the impact of greed on the lives of ordinary people delve into the Rightfully Mine Series. My books bring to life what happens when people don’t act honestly with compassion, creating a world of suspicion and crime. Is that how you want to live. Like my characters, you can do something about it. Would you like me to give a book talk to your group? Book topics cover water, air and ocean pollution, logging, youth homelessness, and science museums?
To purchase books go to https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Books+by+Marilynne+Eichinger
8/29/2026 11:35:17 AM
People transfer their trust to animals, knowing they act consistently and don’t lie.
What Happened to Trust?
There was a time in my life when I believed a person’s word was sacred. It was an unsigned contract I could depend on. In the business world, a handshake was enough. If someone gave me their word, I trusted that they would follow through.
As a child, I believed my parents would always be there for me, propping me up when I made a mistake. As an adult, I trusted my spouse completely. When he said he would do something, I knew he would. I expected the same from my children. Their word had to mean something.
I’m not sure I could live that way today. After I won the Gold Manhattan Book Award, my inbox filled with hundreds of messages from people claiming to represent famous podcasts, radio programs, authors, publishers, literary agents, and marketing companies. Many were scammers using names and identities that appeared legitimate. I read them because every so often there was an honest communication among them. But that meant checking nearly everything out before I could believe it. What I discovered was disheartening. These people were using every trick imaginable to persuade me to part with my money.
The experience made me realize something I had taken for granted most of my life: trust makes life easier. When we trust people, we don't have to constantly question their motives. We can ask a neighbor to water our plants, lend a friend a hand, or believe that someone will keep a promise. Trust allows us to cooperate without continually wondering what might go wrong.
And yet Americans have become less trusting. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, only 34% of Americans say most people can be trusted, compared with 46% in 1972. Pew Research Center — Americans’ Trust in One Another That number bothers me. I remember a time when our front door was always unlocked. We didn't think twice about leaving it that way. Today, most people would consider that irresponsible. We are more cautious about strangers, our possessions, and even the information we receive. Some of that caution is certainly justified. Technology has given dishonest people tools that didn't exist when I was young. My experience with scammers is proof of that.
But we have also lost confidence in many of the institutions that are supposed to help us determine what is true. In 2025, Gallup reported that only 28% of Americans had a great deal or fair amount of confidence that newspapers, television, and radio would report the news fully, accurately, and fairly. Gallup — Trust in Media at New Low of 28% in U.S. When people don't trust the news, they turn elsewhere for information. Increasingly, that means social media, friends, family, and neighbors. I understand that. I occasionally check Nextdoor, a neighborhood communication site, to hear about lost dogs, road closures, gardening tips, or neighborhood concerns. But if something seems controversial, I don't automatically believe it. I consider who posted it, whether there might be a bias, and whether I can verify it elsewhere.
Trust also affects our well-being. Research from the American Psychological Association found that people who trust others and institutions tend to report greater happiness and satisfaction with their lives. American Psychological Association — Trust in others, institutions boosts well-being. Perhaps that shouldn't surprise us. Constant suspicion is exhausting.
But trust isn't experienced equally by everyone. After George Floyd was killed, a Black friend told me he had stopped jogging. He was afraid someone might see him running and call the police. How different his experience of the world was from mine! For me, someone running down the street was simply someone getting exercise. For him, it had become something that could make him vulnerable to suspicion.
Trust is rooted partly in personal experience. If someone has experienced discrimination, betrayal, or exploitation, telling them simply to trust others isn't enough. Trust has to be earned. And yet, despite everything that makes me more cautious than I once was, I still encounter acts of kindness that restore my faith in people.
A few years ago, I was taking a pottery class. I had put my diamond engagement ring in my coat pocket and completely forgotten it was there. After class, I went shopping. While I was in the parking lot, I reached into my pocket for my gloves. I didn't realize my ring had fallen out. When I returned to my car with my packages, I discovered it was gone. I searched everywhere. Nothing. I left my name and phone number at the store's service desk and drove home shaking. I dreaded telling my husband that I had lost my engagement ring.
As I walked into the kitchen carrying the groceries, the phone began to ring. It was the store. A customer had found my ring on the ground and turned it in. It had been run over by a car. The setting was damaged, but the diamond was fine. I never discovered who found it, but I wish I had. I would have liked to look that person in the eye and say thank you. Instead, I thank that stranger silently whenever I think about it. Because it is a time when I often question how much trust I can place in other people, someone I didn't know keeps reminding me of something important: There is still goodness in the world.
Trust can't be demanded. It can't be purchased with a convincing email or created by passing a law. It has to be earned, one interaction at a time. Perhaps we can't return to the world of my childhood, when our front door stood unlocked and a handshake was enough to seal a deal. We can still teach our children to live honestly and that their word means something,
I don't want to live in a world where suspicion is the default. I'd rather be cautious without becoming cynical. I'd rather take the time to verify without assuming everyone is a fraud. And I'd rather believe that the stranger who finds a diamond ring in a parking lot might still do the right thing. Though trust may be fragile, it is also one of the things that holds us together.
Click on some the Pew and Gallop references.I find the statistics fascinating. I look forward to your comments. How has trustworthiness changed during your lifetime?
Art is always for sale. What a life is available for purchase through my website at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6312341/what-a-life#/
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My books bring to life what happens when people don’t act honestly with compassion, creating a world of suspicion and crime. Is that how you want to live. Like my characters, you can do something about it. Would you like me to give a book talk to your group. My books cover water, air and ocean pollution, logging, youth homelessness, and science museums ? Contact me at [email protected]
Books can be purchased online at To purchase books go to https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Books+by+Marilynne+Eichinger
8/15/2026 4:44:57 PM
Afternoon Tea
I know a woman who collects teapots. Her pots come in all sizes and shapes and are scattered around the house. She said that when she makes tea for company, she selects a pot to match their personality.
Collectors and Hoarders
I’m a collector. So was my Mom, and so is my grandson. Apparently, collecting may run in the family.
I collect rocks, masks, Native American pottery, and art. Mom collected Wedgwood. When I lived in London for a year, she sent me money and asked me to visit antique shows and find good buys she could afford. My grandson started collecting antiquities when he was in elementary school. Among his treasures are military artifacts from the Second World War. My eleven-year-old adopted granddaughter has her own passion: squeeges. She not only buys them; she makes them. One of my aunts collected glass figurines. She inspired me to collect glass animals when I was a child. I suppose I have been collecting things for most of my life without ever asking myself why.
Then there is one of my friends, who lives at the opposite end of the spectrum. If something enters her home and isn't absolutely necessary or practical, she gets rid of it. Her tidiness has caused considerable anguish among her children, whose treasured possessions have mysteriously disappeared over the years. They have learned to hide some of their belongings behind furniture or under their mattresses. Clearly, we don't all have the same relationship with stuff.
Why do we collect?
Collecting is hardly a modern obsession. For centuries, people have filled their homes with stamps, coins, toys, books, art, antiques, fossils, military memorabilia, and countless other objects. Psychologists have offered many explanations for why we collect. For some people, collecting provides a sense of control and order in an uncertain world. Sorting, categorizing, and arranging objects creates a small universe in which everything has a place.For others, collecting is an escape. The search itself can be relaxing and absorbing—a welcome break from the stresses of everyday life.
Our collections can also tell a story about who we are. The things we choose often reflect our interests, memories, values, and experiences. A collection can become a kind of autobiography written in objects.
And then there is the thrill of the hunt. Finding an unusual piece can turn an ordinary Saturday into an adventure. Collectors visit antique shops, flea markets, auctions, estate sales, museums, and increasingly, online marketplaces. They search for that one elusive object they have been hoping to find. When they finally find it, there is a little rush of excitement: There it is. I've been looking for this for ages. After that, the hunt begins again.
For some collectors, nostalgia is the attraction. A particular object may remind them of childhood, a parent, a grandparent, or a place that mattered to them. Others are motivated by completeness. If you have 47 of the 50 stamps in a series, those missing three can become surprisingly important.
Collecting can also create community. Collectors share information, trade items, attend conventions, participate in online groups, and meet others who understand why a particular object matters. What might look like an ordinary piece of metal, paper, pottery, or glass to one person can be a treasure to another.
And then there is the pleasure of display.My masks are arranged on the wall of my office. About thirty Native American pots sit in a display case in my living room. Occasionally, I take them out so visitors can hold them and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making them. My collections aren’t merely something I own. Collecting is something I enjoy.
There is another attraction for those who are financially astute: investment. Rare coins, vintage cars, antiques, and limited-edition artwork can appreciate over time. The possibility of making money adds another dimension to the hunt. Unfortunately, collecting also has a darker side.
When collecting goes too far
I once hired a finance officer who stole money from one of my businesses' petty-cash accounts to buy antiques for his partner. He eventually served time in prison. Another man I knew collected so many chiming clocks that his wife finally had enough and left him. And there are people who spend money they cannot afford because the need to acquire the next item has become stronger than their ability to resist it. That is where collecting can begin to cross a line.
Years ago, my brother had a neighbor who was a hoarder. He saved newspapers, magazines, bottles, string, and just about everything else. The piles became so high that narrow pathways were the only way to move from one room to another.
Unlike most collections, hoards don't necessarily consist of valuable or even useful objects. A person may save things that most of us would consider worthless. Some people buy items in bulk or order things online that remain unopened in their boxes. Eventually, the possessions take over the home—and the person's life.
Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding possessions, even when those possessions have little practical value. The resulting clutter can interfere with the normal use of living spaces and create significant distress or impairment. Research suggests that hoarding has genetic, neurological, and environmental components, but there is no single cause. Information-processing difficulties, anxiety, depression, attention problems, and other factors can play a role.
There is an important difference between having too much stuff and having a disorder. A collector generally takes pleasure in organizing, caring for, and displaying the things he or she has acquired. A hoarder may experience intense distress at the thought of getting rid of possessions, even when those possessions make the home unsafe or unusable.
Hoarding can be painful not only for the person experiencing it but also for the people who live with them. Families can become trapped between wanting to help and realizing that simply throwing things away doesn't solve the underlying problem. Professional treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people make progress.
So, where do we draw the line?
Maybe the difference between a collector and a hoarder isn't simply how much we own. It is the relationship we have with what we own. My masks don't own me. My pottery doesn't prevent me from using my living room. I can admire my rocks without needing to buy every rock I encounter. The objects in my collection have meaning, but they don't control my life. Perhaps that's the real test.
We all collect something. Some of us collect objects. Others collect photographs, books, recipes, shoes, souvenirs, tools, or family heirlooms. Some collect experiences. Some collect memories. Yet some of us collect far more than we realize. Perhaps the question isn't whether we're collectors or hoarders. Perhaps it's what we're afraid of losing.
A collector may be afraid of losing a piece of history. A hoarder may be afraid of losing something that feels irreplaceable. Someone who throws everything away may be afraid of being trapped by possessions. We all have our reasons for what we keep and what we discard. Maybe our stuff tells us more about ourselves than we realize.
Where do I fall on the collector-hoarder spectrum? I'm not entirely sure. My masks are on the wall, my pottery is in a case, and my rocks are—well, let's just say they have multiplied. But I still know where everything is, and I can walk through my house without climbing over it. For now, I'm calling myself a collector. I'll let my children decide otherwise after I'm gone.
References:
Coombe, M. (2018). Thpsychology behind collecting. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/interiors/the-psychology-behind-collecting-1.3519826
McLeod, S. (2016). Collecting as a hobby. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/collecting.html
Rust, J. (2020). The psychology of collecting and why people collect things. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nostalgia-nation/202009/the-psychology-collecting-and-why-people-collect-things
Pike, J. (2026) Speaking of Psychology: Why people hoard, with Julie Pike, PhD. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/hoarding
Do share your stories in the comment section of my blog site at https://www.eichingerfineart/blog, For questions go to [email protected].
Art is always for sale. Afternoon Tea can be purchase on line by clicking https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1372907/afternoon-tea#/
To purchase books go to https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Books+by+Marilynne+Eichinger
7/31/2026 11:11:20 PM
OPUS 4
Small Things, Big Impact
We often think our lives are changed by major events—a graduation, a wedding, the birth of a child, the loss of someone we love. Yet when I look back, it isn't the dramatic milestones that shaped me most. It is the small moments, almost invisible at the time, that quietly redirected my life.
I remember when my one-year-old son finally learned how to navigate the six carpeted steps leading to our living room. Instead of tumbling down headfirst, he discovered that if he turned around and backed down, he could descend safely. It may have been only six stairs, but to him it was a monumental achievement. He climbed up and down them more than two dozen times before we finally pulled him away.
To an adult, mastering six steps hardly seems noteworthy. To my son, those stairs represented freedom. Suddenly, a whole new part of the house belonged to him. For me, it meant keeping a much closer eye on an adventurous toddler. Looking back, I realize those six little steps also taught me something: life's biggest transformations often begin with the smallest victories.
Many of my own turning points began just as quietly. I first became aware of prejudice while planning my eleventh birthday party. My mother told me I could invite every girl in my sixth-grade class except one—I'll call her Janine. She was the only Black girl in our predominantly white suburban classroom. Janine and I were playground friends, and I wanted her to celebrate with us.
My mother explained that Janine's birthday fell on the same day as mine, so she was probably having her own party. Even at eleven, I sensed that wasn't the real reason. I remember feeling confused, disappointed, and deeply uncomfortable. I had imagined a birthday cake with both our names on it. Instead, that simple conversation became one of the clearest memories of my childhood.
It also became one of the most influential. That brief exchange awakened a lifelong sensitivity to racism and bigotry. I worried that Janine might feel rejected. Perhaps she did. We remained playground friends, but she never visited my home.
Years later, while I was in college, I encountered a quotation by Anatole France that quietly changed me once again: "Even a little dog is the center of his own universe." Those few words transformed the way I viewed other people. I began to understand that every person experiences life through a unique collection of memories, joys, disappointments, and struggles. Just as no two fingerprints are identical, no two people interpret the world in exactly the same way. Over time, those countless experiences shape our personalities, our beliefs, and our values. That simple quotation made me slower to judge and more curious to understand.
My life also changed through the gentle influence of the people closest to me. Before the women's movement became part of everyday conversation, many girls grew up expecting to marry, raise children, and build a home. That was my dream as well. I planned to be the best wife and mother I could be, leaving the wider world largely to my husband.
Instead, my husbands gradually expanded my world. They introduced me to science, the arts, and travel. They encouraged my curiosity and supported me as I developed a career of my own. More importantly, they demonstrated the value of embracing the unknown instead of fearing it. None of those lessons arrived with fanfare. They came through countless conversations, shared experiences, and quiet encouragement. Looking back, I can see how those small influences accumulated until I became a stronger, more independent woman.
After two twenty-year marriages to wonderful men ended, I wondered whether I could continue growing on my own. I had learned from them how to live fully, but now I had to prove it to myself.
Traveling alone, driving long distances, striking up conversations with strangers, speaking honestly, and standing up for causes I believed in did not come naturally. Each challenge seemed small by itself, but together they slowly built confidence. Growth, I discovered, isn't usually one giant leap. More often, it is a series of tiny acts of courage.
For the past thirty years, I have shared my life with someone whose interests differ from mine in many ways. Yet he, too, has quietly changed me. His love of the natural world deepened my own appreciation for forests, wildlife, and wild places—an influence that now finds its way into the novels I write.
When I look back over my life, I don't see a handful of dramatic turning points. I see hundreds of seemingly ordinary moments: a toddler mastering six stairs, an uncomfortable conversation with my mother, a quotation in a college classroom, words of encouragement from those I loved, small risks that gradually became larger ones. Individually, none of them seemed life-changing. Together, they became the stepping stones that led me to the person I am today.
Perhaps the same is true for you. Take a few minutes to look back over your own life. What small conversation, chance meeting, book, teacher, disappointment, or act of kindness quietly changed your direction? We often overlook these moments because they seem so ordinary. But when we connect them, we begin to see that our lives are shaped less by life's grand events than by the countless small experiences that, little by little, become who we are.
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Today, the second book in The Rightfully Mine Series, Antheia in the Thorns, is a Manhattan Gold Award winner. It follows The Water Factor, an International Firefly Award winner. My thanks to the people who shaped my life and made me stronger.
Books can be purchased by clicking AMAZON.
7/11/2026 1:55:24 PM
THE BLAME GAME - - Readying for a fight
THE BLAME GAME
After writing my last newsletter about overcoming adversity, I found myself thinking about William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus. Its closing lines have stayed with me for years:
"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."
Those words remind us of a difficult but liberating truth. We cannot always control what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond. That is why I struggle when I hear someone say they drink, use drugs, or gamble because another person stresses them so much that they "can't help themselves." Stress is real. Heartbreak is real. Trauma is real. But none of these removes our responsibility for the choices we make. There are healthier ways to cope than self-medicating.
Guilt and shame often drive people to justify destructive behavior. Rather than facing painful truths, they search for someone or something else to blame. During my years of counseling people struggling with addiction, I found that many became remarkably skilled at explaining why everyone else was responsible for their actions. What surprised me most was that many hated the loss of control. They were embarrassed by what they had done while intoxicated and often shocked when family or friends described their behavior. Yet that very lack of awareness became another excuse to avoid taking ownership.
I remember treating a twenty-one-year-old man who insisted he didn't have a drinking problem. Although he agreed to enter a rehabilitation program, he believed none of what he learned applied to him. Two years later he called me at home. Through tears he told me he had caused a car accident that killed two young women. Yet he still insisted it wasn't his fault. He explained that he had attended a séance where a medium claimed to contact the two women. According to her, they had forgiven him and wanted him to know he bore no responsibility.
My heart broke for everyone involved. Whether the story was true or not wasn't the point. Forgiveness, if it exists, never erases responsibility. Until he accepted ownership of his actions, he had little hope of changing his life.
Blame is one of the mind's most powerful defense mechanisms. It protects us from painful truths by convincing us that someone else is responsible. If someone else caused the problem, then someone else must solve it. As long as that belief remains, there is little motivation to change.
Alcohol and drugs are not the only addictions that destroy lives. Gambling, compulsive gaming, pornography, and even work can become unhealthy obsessions when they consume relationships, finances, and personal responsibility. The object of the addiction changes, but the pattern of denial often remains the same.
The workaholic who blames the demands of the job for neglecting a spouse or children is no different from the gambler who promises that one more bet will solve the family's financial problems. Both sacrifice the people they love while convincing themselves they have no other choice.
Science helps explain why addiction is so difficult to overcome. Repeated substance use or compulsive behavior changes the brain's reward system. Activities that once brought joy—time with family, friendships, meaningful work, exercise, or serving others—begin to lose their appeal. Cravings grow stronger while judgment and self-control weaken. People continue using despite devastating consequences.
Understanding these changes helps explain addiction, but it does not excuse it. Recovery begins when a person stops blaming others and accepts responsibility for the next decision. That decision may be frightening, but it is also the beginning of freedom.
Family members often become victims as well. They walk on eggshells, wondering which version of their loved one will appear today. The addict may be kind and attentive when seeking money, forgiveness, or another chance, then become angry, manipulative, or abusive when confronted. Conversations become battles. Truth becomes distorted. Eventually family members begin questioning their own judgment.
Healthy boundaries are essential. You can love someone without accepting abuse. You can care deeply while refusing to carry responsibility for choices that are not yours. Though stress is real, it never excuses irresponsible behavior. The blame belongs to the person making the choice, not to those living with the consequences.
The encouraging news is that recovery is possible. Every day people reclaim their lives by facing the truth instead of running from it. The first step is not perfection; it is the courage to stop making excuses and begin taking responsibility.
Henley wrote Invictus while enduring tremendous suffering. His poem is not about denying pain but about refusing to surrender to it. None of us chooses every hardship we face. Some burdens are unfair. Some wounds are deep. Yet we still choose whether we will become bitter or better, whether we will blame or grow.
In the end, we may not be masters of our circumstances, but we remain responsible for our choices. That is what it means to be the master of our fate and the captain of our soul.
Invictus By William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
References:
Website. (2026) Why do Alcoholics Blame Others. The Discovery Village. Retrieved from https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/why-alcoholics-blame-others/
Website (2026) Common Ways People with Addiction Manipulate Others. Gatewayy Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/blog/common-ways-addiction-manipulates/
Art is always for sale on my website. First Fight can be found at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1356530/first-fight#/
Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Jennifer Russo and her husband's poor communication skills cause their problems to spiral out of control in Antheia in the Thorns. After the death of her infant daughter, Jennifer retreats from the world, consumed by grief. Only through time, support, and a renewed sense of purpose does she find her way back. Her healing becomes the source of her courage, proving that those who have suffered deeply are sometimes the very people best equipped to stand up for others. For thrillers about social justice and the environment, turn to the Rightfully Mine series. Eichinger books are available on AMAZON.
7/2/2026 6:52:59 PM
I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU
As circumstances change, we change with them to become part of our life story.
Facing Adversity Head On
None of us knows what crisis lies ahead. A serious illness, the loss of someone we love, a natural disaster, financial hardship, or a betrayal can change our lives in an instant. While we cannot predict adversity, we are all born with an extraordinary ability to recover from it.
That doesn't mean the journey is easy. Painful experiences can leave us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain that life will ever be normal again. Yet resilience—the ability to adapt and move forward—is one of humanity's greatest strengths. It grows through experience, hope, and the support of others. Friends, family, and caring communities cannot erase our pain, but they can help carry us through it.
One remarkable example is Dr. Denis Charney, dean of New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After stopping for a bagel and coffee one morning, he was shot fifteen times in a murder attempt. Surviving the attack forced him to confront the very question he had spent years studying: How does a person recover from overwhelming trauma?
His research, along with that of many others, shows that traumatic events—assaults, accidents, betrayals, disasters, and the death of a loved one—can disrupt the brain's normal functioning. Neural connections involved in emotional regulation are affected, making it difficult to think clearly, remain calm, or feel safe. Brain scans reveal that adversity can send our internal alarm system into overdrive, leaving us anxious, hyper-vigilant, and emotionally exhausted.
Even if your own mistakes have brought about your suffering, guilt does not have to be the final chapter of your life; accepting the consequences, seeking forgiveness, and working to make things right are acts of courage that can begin the journey toward healing. If you believe you've ruined your life or your family's future, remember this: your loved ones need your presence, your honesty, and your willingness to rebuild far more than they need your perfection.
Recovery does not mean returning to the person you once were. Instead, it means creating a new equilibrium. Life may never look exactly the same, but it can still become meaningful, joyful, and fulfilling. Reaching that new place requires patience, courage, and the willingness to believe that healing is possible.
Psychologist Hara Estroff Marano offers nine practical strategies for building resilience.
Find inspiration. Look for someone who has walked a similar path. Whether that person is living, a historical figure, or someone whose story you've read, their experience reminds us that others have survived what once seemed impossible. Their example can help light the way forward.
Seek—and give—social support. Over the past month I've written about the importance of friendship because human beings are designed for connection. Without meaningful relationships, both our physical and mental health suffer. Scientists have found that supportive relationships trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps calm the nervous system and reduces stress. Accepting help from others—and offering it in return—strengthens everyone involved.
Face your fears. Fear grows when we avoid what frightens us. Avoidance gives anxiety room to expand until it begins controlling our lives. Confronting problems, one manageable step at a time, allows fear to lose its grip. Deep breathing, gradual exposure, counseling, and other proven therapies have helped countless people regain confidence after trauma.
Challenge yourself. Choose something that stretches you without overwhelming you. Learning a new skill, volunteering, or accomplishing a meaningful goal reminds you that you are capable of growth. Success, even in small ways, builds confidence and quiets the brain's stress response.
Let go of the need to appear strong. One of the greatest myths is that resilient people never struggle. In reality, resilience begins by admitting when we're hurting. Give yourself permission to grieve. Spend time in nature. Meditate. Eat nourishing food. Build new friendships. Rest when you need to. Healing is not weakness; it is wisdom.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity benefits both body and mind. Exercise strengthens regions of the brain involved in learning, memory, and emotional regulation while reducing stress hormones. Walk, swim, dance, ride a bicycle—whatever brings you joy and keeps you moving.
Find meaning. This is perhaps the most important lesson I've learned as a lay minister. I've met many people who seemed to lose their desire to live because they no longer knew why they were living. Purpose gives direction to our lives. It changes over time. As young adults we may pursue an education or career. Later our purpose may become raising a family, serving others, or leaving the world a little better than we found it. During times of adversity, rediscovering purpose often becomes the turning point between merely surviving and truly living.
Reframe your thoughts. Years ago, I had a client who wore a rubber band around his wrist. Whenever he caught himself dwelling on negative thoughts, he snapped the band to remind himself to change his perspective. Psychologists call this cognitive reframing. Looking for lessons hidden within hardship—or even finding moments of humor—doesn't deny pain. It helps us see beyond it.
Take care of your gut. Scientists continue to discover the remarkable connection between the digestive system and the brain. The bacteria living in our intestines produce chemicals that influence mood, emotional regulation, and even resilience. A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole foods supports both physical and mental health. Sometimes resilience begins with the simple choices we make every day.
None of these strategies removes adversity from our lives. Loss still hurts. Grief still takes time. Some wounds never disappear completely. Yet countless people have discovered that hardship does not have to define them.
There is an old Japanese art called kintsugi, in which broken pottery is repaired with gold. Rather than hiding the cracks, the artist highlights them, transforming something broken into something even more beautiful than before. Human lives can be much the same. The scars we carry remind us not only of what we've endured, but also of the strength we discovered along the way.
When adversity comes—and sooner or later it comes to all of us—don't lose hope. No disaster or mistake is so great that it erases your worth as a human being. While you cannot change yesterday, you can choose the person you will become tomorrow. Lean on those who care about you. Take one step at a time. Believe that healing is possible. You may never be the person you once were, but with perseverance, compassion, and purpose, you can become someone even stronger.
References:
Marano, E. (2024) 9 Ways to Overcome Adversity. Psychology today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202411/9-ways-to-overcome-adversity
Davis, P. (2021) How to Stay Mentally Strong When Dealing With An Unexpected Adversity. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauladavis/2021/01/19/how-to-stay-mentally-strong-when-dealing-with-an-unexpected-adversity/
Please share your thoughts on my blog site in the comment section at the end of this article.
Art is always for sale through my website. I Thought I Knew You is a multi-media painting on canvas. For information go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1353668/i-thought-i-knew-you#/
Questions ? Contact me at [email protected]
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6/18/2026 2:41:45 PM
Filling the Void
The excruciating pain of something bouncing around your brain that you can’t control.
It’s a Pain!
Pain management is a medical specialty devoted to evaluating, diagnosing, and treating acute and chronic pain. It draws on a wide range of approaches, including medications, procedures, physical therapy, and psychological support, all aimed at restoring quality of life. I thought about pain management recently because so many people I know spend their days suffering. As a lay minister at First Unitarian in Portland, I am often overwhelmed by the pains congregants have and how they stoically deal with them
Pain is one of the few experiences shared by every human being. We enter the world crying and dependent on others, and most of us leave it the same way. In between, much of life involves managing one form of pain or another.
As children, we skin our knees, catch fevers, and endure broken bones. As adults, we face illnesses, injuries, and the gradual wear of aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in four American adults lives with chronic pain. Many spend years searching for relief through medications, therapies, surgeries, and lifestyle changes. The makers of aspirin and ibuprofen have good reason to stay in business.
Yet pain is not limited to the body. Emotional suffering can be every bit as debilitating. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, and despair affect millions of people. In recent decades, serious mental health challenges have increased, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Around me, I see discouraged people who have lost jobs, struggle to afford housing, or feel overwhelmed by the demands of raising a family. Some retreat into isolation. They spend their evenings scrolling social media, gambling online, or escaping into virtual worlds. Their laughter becomes less frequent. Their world grows smaller.
Pain, whether physical or emotional, has a way of isolating us. Family and friends often try to help, but they quickly discover the limits of their abilities. No matter how much they care, they cannot simply wish another person's suffering away. They can listen, encourage, and offer practical support, but they cannot step inside another person's body or mind and experience what that individual is feeling.
Most people can tolerate minor discomforts without much assistance. The challenge comes when pain exceeds their ability to cope. At that point, they may need to lean on family, friends, counselors, physicians, or other trained professionals. Surprisingly, many find this difficult. They are uncomfortable asking for help. Vulnerability feels like weakness. Pride convinces them that suffering alone is somehow noble.
I have never understood that way of thinking. If support is available, why refuse it? One of my childhood friends experienced a severe psychological collapse in her mid-thirties. She became profoundly depressed, nearly catatonic, and at times could barely communicate. Her pain was so overwhelming that she required years of professional treatment. Throughout that ordeal, her friends never abandoned her. They visited regularly, not because they could fix her, but because their presence reminded her that she remained connected to the world. Their visits were small acts of faith, gentle assurances that better days might eventually return.
Her husband suffered as well. Watching the person he loved descend into a private hell left him feeling helpless. Yet he accepted support from family and friends, allowing them to sustain him while he cared for his wife. For nearly two years, the couple existed in separate emotional worlds, unable to reach one another. Had they faced that struggle alone, their marriage might not have survived. Instead, a wider community carried them through the darkest period of their lives.
With time, skilled doctors, and counseling, my friend's curtain slowly lifted. She regained much of her former self, though she was never quite the vivacious woman she had once been. She and her husband had to rebuild their relationship, rekindling intimacy and redefining expectations. The process was neither quick nor easy, but they remained together for another twenty-five years, until her death from cancer.
Physical pain can be equally devastating. Years ago, I saw a training film about a woman who had lost the lower part of her arm. Despite the amputation, she experienced excruciating pain in the hand that no longer existed. This phenomenon, known as phantom limb pain, affects a majority of amputees at some point after surgery.
The woman described intense muscle contractions in fingers that were gone. During these episodes, she screamed in agony. Her treatment was. Her therapist brought out a box containing a mirror positioned between two openings. She placed her remaining arm on one side and the amputated limb on the other. When she looked down, the reflection created the illusion that both arms were intact.
The therapist asked her to slowly open and close her hand. As she watched the reflection, her brain interpreted the movement as occurring in both hands. Gradually, the sensation of the phantom contraction eased. By tricking the brain into believing the missing hand had relaxed, the therapy relieved her pain. To me, it seemed miraculous.
Experiences like these remind me that pain is far more complicated than we once believed. It is physical, emotional, neurological, and social. Sometimes relief comes through medicine. Sometimes it comes through therapy. Often it comes through the steady presence of people who refuse to abandon us.
No one lives a pain-free life. There are times when we need others, and times when others need us. Managing pain is rarely the work of a single person. More often, it requires family, friends, and professionals working together. While they cannot remove all suffering, they can help make it bearable—and sometimes that is enough to carry someone through.
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Has your pain ever been so bad that it seems overwhelming. Please share your experience in the comment section of this blog.
It is easy to purchase art through my website. Filling the void is a 12” by 12” acrylic on canvas painting. Go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6372442/filling-the-void#/
For questions, contact me at marilynne2eichingerfineart.com
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The pain my friend endured inspired part of Jennifer Russo's journey in Antheia in the Thorns. After the death of her infant daughter, Jennifer retreats from the world, consumed by grief. Only through time, support, and a renewed sense of purpose does she find her way back. Her healing becomes the source of her courage, proving that those who have suffered deeply are sometimes the very people best equipped to stand up for others. For thrillers about social justice and the environment, turn to the Rightfully Mine series.
Eichinger books are available on AMAZON.
6/13/2026 12:19:29 PM
BURSTING SPRING:
A time of hope and renewal—a fresh start.
Helping One Another
“You may not be strong, but that’s okay—we’ll help one another.”The quote comes from British author Charlie Mackesy in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, a book beloved for its themes of friendship, vulnerability, and kindness. When the Mole says those words to the Boy, he reminds him that no one is meant to carry life's burdens alone. Yet asking for help is often one of the hardest things we do.
You may lose a job, suffer an illness, experience the end of a relationship, or find yourself overwhelmed by depression. You may desperately need someone to drive you to a doctor's appointment, listen to your fears, or bring you a bowl of chicken soup while you recover. Yet pride, embarrassment, or fear can keep you from reaching out.
For people who have always been independent, asking for help can feel like admitting defeat. They see need as weakness rather than a normal part of being human. Instead of accepting support, they retreat behind walls of pride and suffer alone.
Helping others, however, is not always easy either.
Caregiving is often described as stepping into an entirely new reality. It may begin with small tasks—running errands, making phone calls, or driving someone to appointments. Over time, those responsibilities can grow into something much larger. Caregivers often juggle their own jobs, families, and dreams while putting another person's needs first.
In my own life, helping a struggling immigrant family gradually became a commitment I never expected. What started as occasional assistance grew into helping with childcare, transportation, paperwork, fundraising, and countless unexpected challenges.
There have been difficult days. Understanding problems from a different cultural perspective requires patience, compassion, and flexibility. At times, the commitment has felt nearly around the clock. Whenever I look at the children, I am reminded why the effort matters.
Every child deserves stability. Every child deserves the chance to succeed in school, build friendships, and dream about the future without worrying whether the adults around them can keep the family afloat. Children thrive when they are surrounded by consistency, love, and security.
What has amazed me most is the number of people who have stepped forward to help.Friends, neighbors, family members, and even people I barely know have offered encouragement, donations, advice, and practical assistance. Their generosity has restored my faith in the goodness that still exists all around us. This is the side of America that rarely makes the headlines. It is quiet, compassionate, and deeply human.
Like many people, I sometimes watch the news and wonder whether kindness is disappearing from our society. Then I see someone make a donation, offer a ride, send an encouraging message, or ask how the family is doing. Those simple acts remind me that compassion is still alive and well. The truth is that none of us gets through life alone. At different times, each of us will be the person who needs help and the person who gives it. As you grow older you will need the help of family and friends. Unlike most other high-income nations, the United States has a weak social welfare system. We have to depend on each other for support.
If you have already contributed to this family, thank you. Your generosity is making a real difference in their lives. If you still consider helping, I invite you to do so now. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide stability and opportunity for a family working hard to build a better future.
As Charlie Mackesy reminds us, we help one another. Sometimes that simple act of kindness can change a life. Over the past two days, $1,200 was contributed through the Go-Fund-Me account, and $ 450 sent to me to distribute on their behalf. We still have a ways to go to insure the family is on solid financial footing after their father set fire to the family car and incurred thousands of dollars in unanticipated expenses, making it difficult to pay for housing, transportation, and food. With your help, they should have their lives under control again by fall. To contribute now, click GOFUNDME.
Have you ever needed a caregiver or had to change your way of life to become one? Do share your experience on my blog site.
Art is always for sale. Bursting spring is available on for purchase on my website at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6493159/bursting-spring#/
Questions? :Direct them to [email protected]
6/5/2026 9:08:32 PM
Elaine; we shared a playpen as toddlers, were best friends throughout our school years, were in each other’s wedding parties, moved away after college, occasionally communicated during our middle years, traveled together when retired, and now as seniors residing on east and west coasts, we meet monthly along with a dear childhood friend, via zoom.
Trusted Friends
One of the hardest lessons I learned came twice. The first time was when I sold my company. For years, I had worked alongside employees I considered friends. We shared victories, frustrations, and countless conversations over coffee. Yet after the sale, the new owner wanted to establish his own leadership style and discouraged staff from maintaining close contact with me. Within months, many of those relationships faded.
The second time came when I stepped down as president of a science museum. Once again, people I saw regularly disappeared from my life. It wasn't because they disliked me. A new leader had arrived, and everyone needed to move forward.
Those experiences taught me something important: many friendships are tied to circumstances, but a few survive change. Those are the friendships worth cherishing.
I have met people from every walk of life—individuals who lost jobs, struggled with addiction, experienced divorce, faced illness, or made serious mistakes. The difference between those who eventually rebuilt their lives and those who remained stuck was often not intelligence, talent, or luck. It was whether they had trustworthy friends standing beside them.
No one travels through life without setbacks. At some point, everyone needs someone to lean on.
Research supports what many of us know from experience. The famous Harvard Study of Adult Development, which followed participants for more than eighty years, found that strong relationships were one of the best predictors of health, happiness, and longevity. More recently, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned that chronic loneliness carries health risks comparable to smoking up to fifteen cigarettes a day. Human beings are social creatures. We are wired for connection.
What makes friendship especially important is that it is one of the few major influences in life we can choose. We cannot select our parents, our genetics, or the circumstances into which we are born. We can choose who we spend time with. The challenge is finding people who are trustworthy.
Trustworthy friends keep confidences. They tell us the truth even when it is uncomfortable. They celebrate our successes without jealousy and support us during difficult times. Most importantly, they accept us as imperfect human beings. That doesn't mean they never disappoint us. Every friendship encounters misunderstandings. A trusted friend may say the wrong thing, forget a commitment, or accidentally reveal something private. The question is not whether mistakes will happen. The question is whether the relationship contains enough trust, goodwill, and forgiveness to survive them.
Trust is rarely all or nothing. Instead, it develops gradually. We learn, over time, how much we can depend on each person in our lives. This becomes particularly important as we age. According to research published through the National Institutes of Health, friendships become increasingly important to happiness in later life. Interestingly, the quality of friendships often matters more than the quantity. A handful of trusted friends can contribute more to life satisfaction than a large network of casual acquaintances.
Unfortunately, adulthood often works against friendship. People move away, change careers, retire, marry, divorce, or become consumed by family responsibilities. Relationships that once seemed permanent can quietly disappear. Even clergy are often encouraged not to return to former congregations after retirement so that new leaders can establish their own relationships.
The result is that many older adults find themselves lonely, not because they failed socially, but because life changed around them. The solution is not to retreat. It is to begin again.
In retirement, I discovered that friendships do not simply appear; they must be cultivated. I joined a pottery class and met interesting people, though most of those relationships remained casual. Later, I joined a writers' group. After years of meeting weekly to critique one another's work, we realized we wanted to know one another beyond our manuscripts. We started gathering monthly for happy hour and later for Sunday brunch. Eight years later, we remain friends. We encourage one another, challenge one another, and exchange criticism without fear because we know it comes from caring hearts.
Writing environmental novels also led me to become involved with a local environmental committee. The work introduced me to new people, new ideas, and new friendships. Those connections continue to enrich my life.
Friendship does not happen by accident. It requires time, vulnerability, and effort. Yet the rewards are enormous. The people who stand beside us through life's changes become part of the story of who we are. If you are shy, take a small risk and introduce yourself. If you have become comfortable staying home, accept an invitation. If your social life exists mostly through screens, spend time with people face to face.
The real world is still full of potential friends. Some of them may become the trustworthy companions who help carry you through whatever challenges lie ahead.
REFERENCES:
Puff, R. (2021) The Importance of Friendship. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-modern-life/202107/the-importance-friendship\
Carlson, R, (2017) If They Should Remain: When Pastors Leave but Stay. The Evangelical Covenant CHurch. Retrieved from https://covchurch.org/2017/10/04/if-they-should-remain-when-pastors-leave-but-stay/
Guma,J (2023) The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age. NIH National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10343095/
Kennedy-MOooore, E (2025) How to tell if You Can trust a Friend. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/growing-friendships/202503/how-to-tell-if-you-can-trust-a-friend
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Do you have close friends? Are they recently acquired or lifelong? How have your friendship relationships changed over time? Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.
The painting of Elaine is not for sale, however, more than three hundred paintings are. If something on my website strikes your fancy, it is easy to purchase online.
Questions? contact me at [email protected]
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The most important friendship for most people is the one who becomes your romantic partner. When reading Antheia in the Thorns, you cans see how trusted relationships easily dissolve when partners stop sharing activities and hide the life they are living. Eichinger books are available on AMAZON. For thrillers about social justice and the environment, turn to the Rightfully Mine series.
5/29/2026 6:40:35 PM
Origin of a Thought
Never Stop Asking Why
Why do we live, and what should we live for, are questions we should never stop asking. The fact that humans are but a speck in the vast universe is a profound conundrum. Yet here we are, trying to make the most of our brief time on Earth. Some argue that the search for meaning is nothing more than an exercise in self-deception because the universe shows no evidence of caring about our hopes, dreams, prayers, or continued existence. In that view, the cosmos is indifferent to what we think or do. Artists, writers, philosophers, and scientists frame the question, making us think about it in a multitude of ways.
Yet from the earliest days of human consciousness, people have looked at the night sky and wondered why we are here. Almost everyone grapples with the mystery of existence. Religious traditions offer perhaps the most comforting answer: the belief in a creator and a greater purpose. Scientists say that science can explain how the universe works, but not necessarily why we exist or whether life has ultimate meaning. No matter how deeply people probe, there is still no absolute answer.
Modern science and philosophy gave rise to existential thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, who focused on the lived reality of individuals rather than abstract systems. Existentialism examines the concrete, and often uncomfortable, experience of being alive and free. Sartre famously wrote that “we are condemned to be free.” We have no choice but to choose what we do, and those choices define who we become. Albert Camus concluded that while life itself may be without ultimate meaning, human beings can still find dignity and satisfaction in the struggle to live fully.
However, the very act of asking these questions reveals how deeply aware we are of the miracle of life on a small planet speeding through space. The evolutionary journey from single-celled organisms to human consciousness gave us minds unlike those of any other creature. Humans accumulate knowledge, share ideas through language and writing, and continually ask questions that probe deeper into the significance of our existence.
Perhaps the answer is not found in grand discoveries, but in ordinary moments: comforting a grieving friend, watching a child laugh, standing beneath a sky filled with stars, or creating something that did not exist before. These experiences remind us that meaning may not be something we discover once and for all, but something we continually create.
Asking what we should live for also leads into psychology. A sense of purpose is essential to mental well-being. Numerous studies suggest that people who live with purpose tend to be more resilient, healthier, and happier. Purpose brings people together, fosters cooperation, and builds community. It helps us endure hardship and create goals beyond our immediate circumstances.
Contemporary approaches to meaning-making focus less on cosmic answers and more on human flourishing. Psychologists such as Martin Seligman argue that a meaningful life includes positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. His perspective does not attempt to solve the ultimate mystery of why we exist. Instead, it asks how we can live well while we are here. Increasingly, researchers point to awe, creativity, compassion, and connection to nature as important sources of fulfillment and emotional well-being.
Meaning evolves as we acquire skills, fall in love, raise children, pursue knowledge, perform acts of kindness, and build societies shaped by art and culture. It is through being meaning-making creatures that we continue to evolve, constantly reaffirming both our existence and our place in the cosmos. Yet circumstances change throughout life, which is why we should never stop asking what we ought to live for. Finding new meaning at each stage of life keeps us creative and resilient.
Perhaps humanity’s greatest gift is not that we possess all the answers, but that we continue searching for them while creating meaning through how we live, love, and imagine our place in the universe.
References:
Rodriguez, R. (2026) The one Question That Haunts Every Human: Why do We Even Exist? Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-question-haunts-every-human-why-do-we-even-exist-raul-8becc/
Website (2025) The Human Quest for Meaning : Insight from Existential Thought. Philosophy Institute. Retrieved from https://philosophy.institute/philosophy-of-human-person/human-quest-for-meaning-existential-insights/
Editors (2025) Why Are We Here? The Human Quest of Meaning. Science News Today. Retrieved from https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/why-are-we-here-the-human-quest-for-meaning-and-existence
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My own search for meaning finds expression through art and writing. The novels and essays I create are my way of exploring humanity’s emotional and moral struggles—our fears, hopes, failures, and resilience. Whether writing about environmental conflict, social injustice, or personal relationships, I find myself returning to the same central question: how do we live meaningful lives in an uncertain world? Storytelling becomes more than entertainment; it becomes a way of understanding both ourselves and the fragile world we inhabit.
Eichinger books are available in paperback, ebook, and soon to be audio formats on AMAZON. For thrillers about social justice and the environment, turn to the Rightfully Mine Series.
5/17/2026 11:49:10 AM
A MASKED VIEW
The picture above, is a painting of two African American girls wearing masks. Eight years ago, I became the American grandma to two wonderful children, shown in the picture above. It was painted after a mask-making craft session. Their parents came to the United States as African refugees seeking a life away from gunfire and poverty. I’m pleased to say the children are thriving—excelling in their studies and making many good friends. Though the parents’ education did not go beyond middle school, they are warm and loving people. I have enriched their lives by introducing them to cultural and athletic events. It is a privilege to have them as part of my life’s journey, and I encourage other empty-nesters to do the same.
A Memoir: My Two-Sided Brain
I try to live as though I’m on a journey, taking in each moment as a special gift. The ups and downs, even when difficult to embrace, have helped me grow. To me, this means living fully in the present while accepting the emotional seesaw that comes with exploring new frontiers.
What helps me overcome hesitation and heartache is allowing part of my brain to step outside myself and observe situations from a distance. Much like a reporter, this detached perspective keeps me curious and helps me maintain a sense of objectivity.
It is this reflective part of my mind that puts words on paper and paint on canvas, capturing moments from my journey. My books are filled with experiences drawn from my life, as are my paintings.
For my sixth-grade birthday party, all the girls in my class were invited except one—the only Black girl in the class. Her birthday happened to fall on the same day as mine, and I thought it would be fun to celebrate together. My mother didn’t want to invite her, saying she would probably have her own party. Although I didn’t protest, the reflective part of my mind knew something was wrong. It was the first time I realized my mother was prejudiced. I have carried the guilt of not inviting my friend to this day. My first encounter with injustice hurt deeply because she mattered to me.
That interaction with my mother became an important part of my journey. From that moment on, I became more sensitive to the prejudices and assumptions of the adults around me. I also grew more curious about how race, religion, intellect, and culture shape the way people respond to one another. The more diverse communities I encountered in my travels, both at home and abroad, the more I understood where people were coming from—and the more meaningful life became.
This is why the plots in my books often involve third-world and indigenous nations. It is a way to introduce readers to the struggles faced by people around the world. The Water Factor takes readers to Ethiopia. Antheia in the Thorns introduces them to Manila and a small Oregon town. My next book, Kingdom of Greed, journeys to a South Sea island.
I hope you will share a childhood event that influenced your life’s journey. Share it on this blog site so others can enjoy your insights.
Art is always available through my website and through https://www.Eichingerfineart.com
Eichinger books are available on AMAZON.
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5/10/2026 11:12:36 AM
THE SANTIAM BURN
THE DEVISTATION LEFT BY A VAST FIRE IN OREGON INSPIRED THIS PAINTING AND THE BOOK I'M PRESENTLY WRITING ABOUT OUR NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS
While giving book talks or attending art show openings of my paintings, I am often asked what inspired me. The only honest answer to that question is life itself—both living it and observing it. There are times, whether in moments of crisis or joy, when I mentally step outside the experience and watch it as though I were a stranger witnessing the situation unfold. At other times, when frustration or sorrow weighs heavily on me, a blank sheet of paper or an empty canvas calls out as a place to pour out the soul’s unrest.
The day my son was diagnosed with cancer, I went to my studio and splashed my grief across a canvas, yet somehow created a painting filled with hope, healing, and resilience. When the temperature climbed to 117 degrees and wildfires blackened the landscape, I did the same, finding solace while painting the scorched trees and smoke-filled skies that occupied my thoughts.
During the long walks I took throughout COVID-19, I became fascinated by the front doors of the houses I passed. I found myself imagining the people who lived behind them and the lives they carried within those walls. Those observations stirred my imagination and eventually became the inspiration for a blog in 2021. The walks kept my mind percolating until my fingers later moved rapidly across the keyboard. Immersed in writing, I enjoyed every moment of free time the lockdown gave me.
I was fortunate to travel extensively in my younger years, and the journeys that affected me most were those with a purpose beyond sightseeing. In Poland, I participated in an archaeological dig. In Kenya, I joined a research project studying elephant behavior in the wild. I experienced homestays in the Andes Mountains, in a Cuban plantation town, and in a village deep within the Amazon rainforest. I traveled extensively in China when towns were being demolished and million person cities were established almost overnight. Experiences like these deepened my curiosity about the customs people practice, the values they cherish, and the ways culture shapes identity.
As a mental health professional, and later while managing museums and businesses, I learned to look beyond the surface of the people I encountered. Their motives, backgrounds, fears, and dreams were endlessly varied and deeply compelling. If I were given another fifty years to live, it still would not be enough time to share all I have learned about the human struggle to find meaning in life.
The Water Factor is infused with experiences drawn from Africa and from the African families I have met in the United States. Cave explorations in Costa Rico, archaeological digs in the Southwest, and rock-climbing adventures near home all found their way into Antheia in the Thorns.
So, it is life that inspires and enriches the Rightfully Mine Series and the paintings I share in each blog. It is the practice of remaining aware of one’s surroundings and attentive to others while moving through the world. And finally, it is the willingness to look inward—to examine my own soul and understand how I respond to the situations life places before me.
Other Inspirations:
The dark days and riots following George Floyd's death inspired this painting of hope.
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Helping a homeless boy climb a fence that took him from poverty to a living wage
inspired the painting (OVER THE FENCE) and teh book (OVER THE PEANUT FENCE)
Paying attention to the environment, learning about global warming, and watching the quality of ouor ocians and air degrade inspired the painting (One Seed at A Time) and the The Rightfully Mine Series of Books.
What inspired you to create something you value. Please share in the comment secdtion below.
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Recently published, Antheia in the Thorns is an environmental thriller about power, corruption, loss, and regaining purpose. Marilynne Eichinger follows Jennifer Russo, a grieving mother who lost a child, and Abdul Hammed Dillinger, who escaped his father's cruelty. Together their stories illuminate the effect trauma has on behavior and how individuals evolve over time. Human lives are complex, influenced by environment and happenstance. The second thriller in the Rightfully Mine series remains at a reduced price while we get the word out. Your early reviews are greatly appreciated. Purchase at AMAZON SERIES.
4/24/2026 4:51:51 PM
WELCOMING SPRING
Spring has sprung
Out come garden tools
Butterflies fly free
Love creates new fools
Why Love Feels Like Madness
In Antheia in the Thorns, after the loss of her baby, Jennifer Russo falls into a deep depression that leads to the destruction of her marriage. Grief leaves her emotionally numb, isolated, and unable to imagine a future worth wanting. Over time, however, she finds reasons to live again—a social justice cause, meaningful work, and eventually, someone new to love.
As I wrote her journey, I became curious about what might actually be happening inside her body. Why does love feel so powerful? Why does heartbreak feel physically painful? I.wondered why the loss of love can leave someone feeling as if they are unraveling?
Social, economic, biological, and psychological forces all shape human relationships. Romantic love is deeply studied, yet it remains one of the least understood human behaviors. Researchers Richard Schwartz and Jacqueline Olds spent years examining how love begins, how it changes, and why it sometimes collapses.
One of the best-known brain imaging studies of romantic love, led by biological anthropologist Helen Fisher and her colleagues, used MRI scans to study people who described themselves as intensely in love. The scans showed increased activity in dopamine-rich regions of the brain associated with reward, motivation, and focused attention—particularly the same neural systems involved in pursuing food, pleasure, and survival.
Dopamine is often called the brain’s “reward chemical,” but it is really more about motivation than happiness. It pushes us to pursue what we desire. In early romantic love, that desire becomes intensely focused on another person. This reward circuit is ancient. It has always linked humans with pleasure and survival behaviors such as eating, bonding, and reproduction. Just as now, when they fell in love, the brain flooded with chemicals that triggered emotional and physical responses: racing hearts, sweaty palms, flushed cheeks, excitement, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts.
During the early stage of romantic love, the body also behaves a little like it is under stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, often rises, while serotonin levels may lower, shifting in ways that bring on the obsessive thinking seen in infatuation. This helps explain the intrusive thoughts taking over during early love, the constant replaying of conversations, wild hopes, and the fear of rejection that can make it feel both exhilarating and exhausting.
This may be why people say love is blind: in deep attachment, we often soften our critical judgment and feel emotionally safer with the person we love. Yet, as relationships deepen, chemicals such as oxytocin help strengthen feelings of trust, calm, and attachment. The intense panic experienced at first usually settles into something quieter but stronger.
If all goes well, a lasting pair bond forms. Passion does not necessarily disappear, but the emotional chaos of early romance usually calms. Cortisol returns to normal. The brain no longer treats love like a crisis. Instead, the relationship itself becomes a buffer against stress.
Long-term love is different from infatuation once the fireworks quiet. Couples may become distracted by work, children, aging parents, and ordinary life, yet affection and desire can still be reawakened. A weekend away together, uninterrupted conversation, or renewed intimacy can reactivate the same reward pathways that first drew them together.
Pair bonding is not limited to one cultural model. Some bonds begin with sudden romantic attraction, while others grow slowly through compatibility, trust, and shared life. Even arranged marriages, without an initial romantic spark, can develop into strong emotional partnerships if affection, respect, and intimacy grow over time.
But when love breaks, the pain is real. Though some say they have a broken heart, their heartbreak is a neurological not a heart event. Brain imaging shows that rejection activates some of the same regions involved in physical pain, craving, and addiction. The attachment system does not simply switch off. The part of the brain that still longs for connection remains active, even when the relationship is over.
That is why breakups can feel unbearable. People replay memories, crave contact, and struggle with withdrawal much like addiction. The emotional pain can feel physical because, in many ways, the brain processes it that way.
With the honeymoon phase fading and the pressures of real life returning, bonding hormones such as oxytocin may lessen, and the brain becomes less idealizing. The small quirks once seen as charming can begin to feel irritating. People stop focusing only on their partner and begin thinking more about their own unmet needs, frustrations, and goals.
Some relationships survive that shift. Others do not. The hopeful part is that the brain can heal. Neural pathways change. Grief softens. New joy becomes possible. Therapy, friendship, purpose, and time all help rebuild the nervous system’s sense of safety and connection. Most people do not recover by waiting passively. Healing usually begins with small acts—getting out of bed, answering the phone, taking a walk, saying yes to help.
Jennifer Russo moves through all of these stages: grief, emotional collapse, a dissolving marriage, and eventually the renewal of life through love and action. She does not recover by staying home in a catatonic state. She heals because she pushes herself forward, even in tiny steps, and because someone cares enough to walk beside her.
Love may begin as chemistry, but recovery is often a choice.
I look forward to hearing your stories of love in the comment section below.
Art is always for sale through my website. Welcoming spring is 20” by 16” acrylic painting on canvas. To purchase go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6493159/welcoming-spring#/
Resources:
Scott Edwards. (2015) Love and the Brain. Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/love-brain
Martin,R. Ph.d. (2020) Romantic Lovew’s biological Foundations. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-we-do-it/202002/romantic-loves-biological-foundations
Lopez,T. (2023) Brain changes after the end of a relationship. CBS Health News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/brain-changes-after-end-relationship/
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The Rightfully Mine Series will help you better understand this world and how to care for it. They are thrillers based on facts that will keep you page turning. The Water Factor follows the plight of a Native American Reservation who contracted with a corporation that steals their water, and the young man who takes it upon himself to do something about it. Antheia in the Thorns follows a woman who emerges from depression after the loss of her child, fighting for the right to clean air and an unpolluted ocean.
Eichinger books are available on AMAZON.
4/17/2026 4:06:21 PM
HEAVEN AND BEYOND
Heaven in religious contexts is the abode of God, angels, and the blessed dead, representing a state of eternal happiness. In science it refers to the sky and outer space.
RADICAL UNCERTAINTY
Radical Uncertainty describes situations where the future cannot be predicted—not because we lack data, but because the system itself is unknowale. It is a recognized concept in economics and decision-making, detailed in a 2020 book by John Kay and Mervyn King, and applied to events such as pandemics and major geopolitical shifts. In this article, I consider it in a broader sense, through the lens of the universe, what we do and don't know, and how we find meaning while living with uncertainty. As innovation creates uncertainty, so too does nature, and our quest for knowledge beyond our solar system.
The latest map of the universe, released by astronomers, reveals more than 47 million galaxies. It was constructed by research teams using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) in Arizona, surveying large portions of the night sky over a five-year period. Scientists investigating the mystery of dark energy are searching for the unknown force driving the universe's accelerating expansion. No one knows exactly what it is, but since Albert Einstein, it has often been treated as a cosmological constant. The new map suggests that dark energy may not be constant after all, and could alter the ultimate fate of the universe.
It makes me feel small-insignificant, even a little foolish-when I get upset about mundane problems here on Earth. This week, for example, while trying to switch to a less expensive internet and cellular plan, we managed to disrupt our service entirely. We lost connectivity. We were frustrated, even angry, at a provider that had promised so much yet still hasn't managed to transfer our incoming calls. We weren't just frustrated-we were dependent, and suddenly aware of it.
It was then that I began to marvel at how something as small as a cell phone, a microdot in the universe, could provoke such emotion. I thought about how remarkable it is simply to be alive on this planet, a thinking human being, traveling through space.
There are roughly 100-400 billion stars in our galaxy. Our solar system is just one of many in which planets orbit their stars. According to NASA, even the nearest stars are trillions of miles away. One exoplanet, HD 40307g, is estimated to have a mass several times that of Earth. Another, Kepler-16b, orbits two stars-its sunsets would feature twin suns sinking below the horizon. Astronomers have identified multiple Earth-sized planets that may contain liquid water
How we integrate this knowledge into everyday life is puzzling. We behave as though we are masters of a planet that is both central and singular in the universe. We have developed a wide range of belief systems, each with followers convinced that their version explains the cosmos and listens to their prayers. Scientists generally believe that simple life may be common in the universe, but whether intelligent, technologically advanced life is widespread remains an open question. The vast number of potentially habitable planets suggests it could be, but the evolutionary steps that occurred on Earth, from single-celled to complex life, may be rare.
Without evidence, much of what lies beyond our direct experience remains speculation. Those driven by curiosity continue to explore. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and push further into space. Others question why any of this should matter. Life on Earth is already difficult enough. Many people seek certainty wherever they can find it, simply to move through their days without constant unease.
A few days from now, the phone issue will be resolved-or it won't. Another frustration will take its place. That is how life unfolds: small problems filling our field of vision. But beyond that, galaxies continue drifting apart. Light travels for millions of years just to reach us. And here we are, briefly aware of both the inconvenience and the immensity.
Yet for all the uncertainty beyond our planet, one thing is clear: this is the only home we know. Among billions of galaxies and countless stars, Earth is not important because it is central-it is important because it is ours. We argue over inconvenience while the systems that sustain us-forests, oceans, climate-shift in ways we only partially understand. Radical uncertainty does not excuse inaction. It demands humility.
We may never fully understand dark energy or distant worlds. But we understand well enough that this one is fragile. In a universe defined by uncertainty, caring for what we have may be the closest thing to certainty and responsibility we can claim.
References:
Claire Cameron, (2026) Behold! This is the largest, sharpest 3D map of the universe yet. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/astronomers-just-finished-the-biggest-sharpest-3d-map-of-the-universe-its-beautiful/
NASA Science website, (2021) How Many Solar Systems Are in Our Galaxy? NASA Science Space Place. Retrieved from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/other-solar-systems/en/
Brennan, P. (2021) Life in the Universe: what are the Odds? NASA Science. Retrieved from https://science.nasa.gov/universe/exoplanets/life-in-the-universe-what-are-the-odds/
Art is always for sale on my website. Heaven and Beyond is a 20” by 24” acrylic painting on cavas, framed. Available at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1662380/heaven-and-beyond#/
_________________________________________________________________________________________The Rightfully Mine Series can help you better understand this world and how to care for it. They are thrillers based on facts that will keep you page turning. The Water Factor follows the plight of a Native American Reservation who contracted with a corporation that steals their water, and the young man who takes it upon himself to do something about it. Antheia in the Thorns follows a woman who emerges from depression after the loss of her child, fighting for the right to clean air and an unpolluted ocean.
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Eichinger books are available on AMAZON.
4/10/2026 8:46:59 PM
Amidst the chaos of life, the wise owl pays attention, seeing all.
Truth or Consequences
Several days ago, I received a text meant for someone named Sophie. The sender asked to meet for dinner after work. I replied that she had the wrong number. She apologized—and then, unexpectedly, invited me to coffee.
That wasn’t possible, of course. She lived in New York; I live in Oregon. Still, something about the exchange felt harmless, even charming. A small mistake, a moment of connection. We began to text. I told myself I had stumbled into a modern version of a pen pal—someone to perhaps meet if I ever found myself in Manhattan.
Then I mentioned it to a friend. Her response was immediate: This is a scam. She sent me an article describing a growing scheme—one that begins exactly this way. A wrong number. A polite apology. A slow, friendly conversation. Trust is built over days or weeks. And then, eventually, comes the pivot: an investment opportunity, often involving cryptocurrency or insider access.
I went back to my messages with a different eye. The woman had told me she was a financial advisor at Citibank, working with wealthy clients. Yet when I asked for her last name or a professional email, she deflected. She preferred to keep our conversation on WhatsApp. She was friendly, attentive—and just evasive enough. The relationship suddenly felt less like chance and more like design.
I realized I was standing at a quiet threshold: on one side, curiosity and connection; on the other, the possibility of manipulation. If she was genuine, I risked losing a budding friendship. If she wasn’t, the consequences could be far worse. It wasn’t a difficult decision, but it was a disappointing one. I ended the exchange. What lingered was not fear, but sadness—that something as simple as a mistaken text can no longer be taken at face value.
Scams like this are not confined to the United States; they are a global phenomenon, increasingly sophisticated and disturbingly effective. While the details vary from country to country, the underlying strategy is strikingly consistent: establish trust, then exploit it.
Older adults are particularly targeted, for reasons that cross cultures:
- The likelihood of savings or home equity
- A tendency to trust authority or extend politeness
- Less familiarity with rapidly evolving technology
- Social isolation, which makes genuine-seeming connection more powerful
The forms these scams take are familiar: impersonations of government officials or banks, frantic calls from a “grandchild in trouble,” romance scams, tech support fraud—and, increasingly, investment schemes like the one I may have narrowly avoided.
In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, the problem is widely reported, with significant financial losses tied to phone, email, and online fraud. Public awareness campaigns have grown, and banks are becoming more proactive in flagging suspicious transactions. Still, scammers evolve just as quickly, refining their methods to match our habits.
What has changed most is not just the technology, but the emotional terrain. Scams no longer rely solely on urgency or fear—they often begin with something far more disarming: friendliness. A simple text. A small mistake. An opening.
And that may be the hardest consequence of all—not the money lost, but the uneasy realization that trust, once given freely, now comes with hesitation. It is this tension that lies at the heart of my Rightfully Mine novels. These stories explore corporate scams, hidden agendas, and the quiet deceptions carried out in the name of profit. What at first feels like a nice connection becomes “Ican’t trust this anymore.” The damage is not always visible, but it is deeply felt by those caught in the fallout, people whose lives are altered not by violence, but by betrayal.
In both life and fiction, the cost of deception is the same: the erosion of trust. And trust, once lost, is not easily restored. I believe individuals, businesses, and nations are strongest when trust is honored—when leadership is grounded in integrity rather than exploitation. It is what allows people to sleep at night and wake with the clarity to face the day ahead. Without it, we are left second-guessing even the simplest human connection.
Have you ever been victim of a scam? Share your experience on my blog site to make other readers aware.
Art is always for sale. See All is an acrylic painting on 24” by 48” deep canvas. For information and to purchase go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/5558644/see-all#/ Contact me with your questions at [email protected]
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In a world where water is quietly being bought and sold, one question rises to the surface: what happens when profit controls survival?
Available on AMAZON.
New release: When corporate power silences the truth, those who dare to resist must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to be heard.
Available on AMAZON
3/21/2026 11:49:22 AM
SEARCHING FOR THRUTH : Is it real or wishful thinking?
INVENTING VALIDITY, PROVING CONVICTION
While reading Bewilderment by Richard Powers, I came across a phrase that puzzled me: “The world is an experiment in inventing validity and conviction is its only proof.” The sentence was intriguing, both literary and philosophical, but I had no idea what Powers meant. Still, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. At first glance it sounds cryptic, but it raises an enduring question: Do we discover truth, or do we create it? That question lies at the heart of the novels in my Rightfully Mine Series.
A scientist might read the sentence skeptically. Science is indeed an experiment, but conviction alone is never proof. Evidence, replication, and measurement determine validity. From this perspective, conviction can be dangerous. A philosopher might see it differently. Meaning, they might argue that conviction does not exist independently in the world, it emerges through human interpretation. Truth is often shaped by perspective and usefulness. Conviction matters because belief motivates action, and when enough people believe something strongly enough, those beliefs begin to shape reality.
To me, Powers’ sentence explains the conflict at the heart of Antheia in the Thorns. In the novel, a grieving woman named Jennifer Russo is walking alone in the wilderness, trying to make sense of a life that no longer resembles the one she had planned. What she finds there, men dumping black industrial waste into a place that should have been untouched, becomes the moment when looking away is no longer possible. What Jennifer discovers is tied to petroleum coke, a heavy carbon byproduct of oil refining. For the company responsible, the material is simply part of the industrial process, waste that must be stored, shipped, or disposed of somewhere.
The refinery owner, Abdul Hammed Dillinger, represents a conviction that has shaped much of the modern world: that energy production, industrial growth, and profit justify the risks that come with them. It enables Dillinger to kidnap, kill, destroy, and lie in good conscience. In his worldview, the system itself becomes proof, enabling his conviction. Fuel flows, the economy grows, and the lights stay on. Jennifer arrives at a very different conviction. She believes some places should not be sacrificed for industrial convenience, and that communities and ecosystems have value that cannot be measured on a balance sheet. The story that follows is not only a struggle between two people. It is a struggle between two ideas of what counts as valid in our world.
The quote also resonates in today’s political environment. Public debate increasingly revolves around competing narratives about climate change, public lands, energy, and economic growth. Facts may matter, but they are often filtered through belief systems and political identities. In that sense, societies really do resemble Powers’ “experiment.” Ideas compete for attention. Narratives spread through social media like a game of whispering down the lane, shifting slightly as they pass from one person to another. In the end, conviction can sometimes outweigh evidence.
That is why environmental activists like those volunteering for Antheia matter in the story and in the real world. They challenge assumptions that have long been treated as unquestionable truths. When one person decides that what is happening is wrong, the world’s “experiment” suddenly becomes a test. And as Powers suggests, the outcome may depend less on who is technically correct than on whose conviction proves strong enough to change the course of events.
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Antheia in the Thorns is an environmental thriller about power, corruption, loss, and regaining purpose. Marilynne Eichinger follows Jennifer Russo, a grieving mother who lost a child, and Abdul Hammed Dillinger, who escaped his father's cruelty. Together their stories illuminate the effect trauma has on behavior and how individuals evolve over time. Human lives are complex, influenced by environment and happenstance. The second thriller in the Rightfully Mine series remains at a reduced price while we get the word out. Your early reviews are greatly appreciated. Purchase at AMAZON SERIES.
3/13/2026 3:48:43 PM
Over the Fence: From Rags to Riches : When poor people climb over the fence to wealth, some never feel they have enough and keep grasping for more, while others share their good fortune at having achieved success.
Why Thank the Merchants of Death? — The Undershaft Paradox: When Wealth from War Pays for Peace
Why do we celebrate fortunes that were built on suffering simply because they later fund good works? That question reminds me of Major Barbara, the 1905 play by George Bernard Shaw. When my children still lived under my roof, we used to have play readings. Everyone would take a part, and afterward we'd talk about the play and the messages we found in it. Major Barbara. Was one of my all-time favorites.
It is a satirical play that explores the conflict between idealistic morality and the harsh realities of capitalism. The story follows Barbara Undershaft, a devoted Salvation Army officer, whose mission is to save souls and help the poor. Her faith is shaken when her estranged father, Andrew Undershaft, a wealthy armaments manufacturer, offers to fund her shelter. His donation forces her to confront an uncomfortable truth: her charity may depend on money earned through the instruments of war.
Barbara's ideals begin to crumble when her father argues that the wealth and power he gained from selling weapons do more to fight poverty than religion ever could. When the Salvation Army accepts his donation, Barbara experiences a crisis of faith, feeling as though her work has been bought by the devil. Yet through that disillusionment, she begins to see the world more pragmatically. In the end, she and her fiancé decide they might accomplish more good by working within the powerful industrial system her father represents.
Shaw's argument is provocative: poverty, not wealth, is the true evil, and that moral action may require the resources of industry and power. Our family readings of the play often led to lively discussions about morality, power, and the uneasy line between right and wrong
In the United States, we have seen similar paradoxes. Andrew Carnegie, the great steel magnate, built his fortune on the backs of laborers who worked exhausting twelve-hour shifts. His companies were known for ruthless union-busting, wage cuts, and violent strikebreaking. Yet Carnegie later funded thousands of public libraries across the country. His legacy lives on through institutions such as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which today supports research on democracy, nuclear risk, and international relations.
Perhaps the most striking example is Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite. Nobel built a vast industrial empire producing explosives used in mining, construction, and warfare. Late in life he reportedly read a mistaken obituary describing him as "the merchant of death," a man who had grown rich by inventing ways to kill more people faster than ever before. When Nobel died in 1896, he left most of his fortune to create the Nobel Foundation, which awards the Nobel Prize, including the famous Nobel Peace Prize. Wealth built on explosives became the patron of the world's most prestigious awards for peace, literature, and science.
In Shaw's era, the paradox was steel and artillery funding libraries. Today, the paradox may be the algorithms and weapons funding think tanks about ethics and democracy. Shaw's fictional arms manufacturer Andrew Undershaft feels less like satire and more like prophecy. Modern equivalents can be found in the defense technology world with figures such as Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies. Palantir's data-analysis platforms are widely used by military and intelligence agencies, while Thiel simultaneously funds intellectual ventures such as the Thiel Fellowship and other philosophical discussions about technology, freedom, and the future of civilization.
Another contemporary example is Anduril Industries and its founder, Palmer Luckey. The company builds autonomous defense systems and surveillance technologies. Luckey also supports debates about geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of warfare. The company's underlying claim echoes Undershaft's argument: technological dominance prevents even greater violence.
Does it? Do you believe this?
Somehow, there is a disconnect I struggle to grasp. Why kill and maim millions to make a few people wealthy? And when those same fortunes later fund libraries, universities, and foundations, why do we thank their benefactors? Shaw argued that poverty was the greatest evil. But should the cure always come from the profits of war? Should people who confess their crimes be instantly forgiven?
Friends and family come together for game nights, murder mystery parties, sporting events, and meals. If you want to have a stimulating activity that's out of the ordinary, read Major Barbara with them one evening
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Antheia in the Thorns is an environmental thriller about power, corruption, loss, and regaining purpose. Marilynne Eichinger follows Jennifer Russo, a grieving mother who lost a child, and Abdul Hammed Dillinger, who escaped his father's cruelty. Together their stories illuminate the effect trauma has on behavior and how individuals evolve over time. Human lives are complex, influenced by environment and happenstance. The second thriller in the Rightfully Mine series remains at a reduced price while we get the word out. Your early reviews are greatly appreciated.
On sale at AMAZON SERIES.
To puchase OVER THE FENCE and have it shipped free withing the continental U.S. go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1975474/over-the-fence-from-rags-to-riches#/
2/6/2026 6:58:13 PM
THE CAVE
Silence: Before the Story Begins
Before Antheia in the Thorns becomes a story about land, power, and resistance, it begins with a woman alone in the dark.
Jen Russo is not an activist when readers first meet her. She is not thinking about corporations, policy, or climate models. She is a grieving woman. Her child is gone, and the world she understood no longer makes sense. When she enters the cave in the opening chapter, she does not do so to prove anything or to be brave. She goes because grief has stripped her of caution. The ordinary rules of what is safe, what is sensible, and what is worth fearing no longer apply.
That was important to me as a writer. Environmental stories often begin with a catastrophe or confrontation. I wanted this one to begin with silence. I also wanted readers to ask why such an unpolitical person as Jen would become an activist.
The cave is not symbolic in a definable way. It is not a place of revelation or rebirth. It is cold, damp, and indifferent. It has existed for thousands of years and will exist long after Jen’s pain has burned itself out. Yet inside the cave, time behaves strangely. Sounds from the outside world are swallowed as the light recedes. Jen’s thoughts circle the same thoughts again and again: that love does not guarantee protection, that nature does not bargain with humans, and that loss does not announce itself politely.
In the confined space of the cave, Jen is not fighting anything. She is simply enduring.
I was interested in how grief collapses the distance between people and the natural world. When you are grieving deeply, your environment no longer feels like home. The wind is sharper, the ground feels harder. The darkness within and without feels personal. Jen doesn’t enter the cave seeking communion with nature; she enters it because she no longer cares if nature is kind to her. That indifference, hers and the cave’s, meets in a way that feels honest to the emotional reality of loss.
When she becomes trapped, it’s not by a villain. There isn’t a human antagonist with malicious intent. Just a body pushed beyond its limits and a place that does not notice. Yet, despite all she’s been through, having crawled into that uncaring cave ignites a spark of curiosity, and that matters.
One of the quiet arguments in Antheia in the Thorns is that harm does not always come from cruelty. Sometimes it comes from systems, from neglect, from loss, and from the simple fact that the world keeps moving even when individuals cannot. Jen’s experience mirrors life on a personal scale. The cave is not evil. It simply exists. Like people trapped in the darkness of their minds, those who struggle through have the choice to survive and thrive or to wither away.
Jen’s rescue by Bear and Zane, forestry students who happen to be in the area, is not a triumphant moment. It is somewhat awkward, human, and imperfect. Her rescuers are not heroes in the cinematic sense. They are young, unsure, and startled by the weight of what they have stumbled into. They don’t save Jen so much as interrupt her isolation. They pull her back into a world that still hurts and welcome her into the light.
That moment sets the emotional key for the entire novel.
What happens after—the activism, the confrontations, the betrayals, and the risks only work because they are grounded in an earlier truth: that people do not enter movements because they are fearless. They enter them because something has already broken open inside them. Jen’s grief is not a subplot. It is the emotional soil from which the rest of the story grows.
I want readers to understand, from the very beginning, that Antheia in the Thorns is not asking them to admire courage. It is asking them to recognize vulnerability. Jen’s pain is not to motivate others or to prove a point. It simply exists, and the world must make room for it.
In environmental conversations, personal grief is often treated as a distraction. It’s too emotional, too personal, or too soft to discuss. But grief is where attention sharpens. It is where denial fails. It is where people stop accepting easy answers. Though Jen does not leave the cave enlightened, she has become curious and emerges changed. And change, once it begins, is difficult to contain.
The cave scene is quiet by design, without speeches or great revelations. It just carries breath, darkness, stone, and the fragile persistence of being alive. Yet everything that follows in the novel, the resistance, the risk, the refusal to look away, echoes back to that first silence.
Before the story could be told, it had to listen to the silence. Only after finding herself could she process the horrific sight she saw on her way back to her car. As Antheia in the Thorns prepares to enter the world on February 20th, I hope readers pause over moments like this one, not because they are dramatic, but because they are true.
I’m looking forward to unveiling the cover next week. Until then, if you haven’t already read it, now is the perfect time to read The Water Factor, the first book in the Rightfully Mine Series. The novel is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
1/17/2026 11:54:19 AM
COUNTDOWN TO PUBLISHING
Part of writing a book is finding the right title and cover design, and Antheia in the Thorns, going on sale at the end of February, is no exception. Its early working title was The Cave, but after discovering dozens of books with the same name, I set out to find something more distinctive.
That search led me to Antheia, the Greek goddess of gardens and love. Imagining her caught in thorns felt like the perfect metaphor for an approaching environmental reckoning. Does it make you wonder what happened?
Below are four early cover designs that didn’t make the cut. The final design, created by Streetlight Graphics, will be unveiled next week. Between now and February 22, I hope to whet your appetite for the story behind the thorns.
A Scene Behind Antheia in the Thorns: When I began writing Antheia in the Thorns, I didn’t start with a thesis. I started with a scene.
In the chapter titled “Dying Embers,” the protagonist, Bear Stanton, sits on a curb in the early morning hours, watching smoke rise from what had once been Antheia’s headquarters. Firefighters are packing up their hoses. Reporters circle, microphones extended, eager for outrage or accusation. Somewhere inside the charred building are lost hard drives, children’s artwork, handwritten notes from tribal elders—things that will never make the news crawl.
What struck me as I wrote that scene wasn’t the fire itself, but the silence afterward. The way catastrophe becomes ordinary once the cameras leave. The way destruction is framed as spectacle rather than consequence.
That moment on the curb is fictional, but its emotional truth is not.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I watched a NOVA program detailing how warming temperatures are destabilizing the Arctic, releasing methane, sinking cities, and accelerating flooding across the globe. These aren’t distant projections or worst-case scenarios. They are unfolding now, quietly, incrementally, often out of sight. When disaster doesn’t arrive with a single dramatic explosion, it’s easier to ignore.
In Antheia in the Thorns, the fire is not just an act of violence—it’s a message. It’s meant to intimidate, to erase evidence, to remind ordinary people how fragile their work is when it challenges powerful interests. That dynamic plays out repeatedly in real life, whether through lawsuits, regulatory pressure, misinformation campaigns, or the slow erosion of public trust in science.
Fiction allows me to place a human face on those forces. To show what it feels like to lose not only a building, but a sense of safety. To ask what happens when the cost of telling the truth becomes personal—and whether it’s still worth paying.
I don’t expect novels to change the world on their own. But I do believe stories can slow us down long enough to feel what headlines encourage us to skim past. If Antheia in the Thorns does anything, I hope it helps readers connect the data we’re shown every day to the lives quietly affected by it—and to the choices still within our control.
Sometimes, the most dangerous fires aren’t the ones that burn buildings, but the ones we pretend not to see.
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The Water Factor, the first book in the Rightfully Mine Series, questions whether water should be considered a commodity, as it is now, or a human right. Antheia in the Thorns raises a similar question about air quality. The novel is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
I look forward to your comments.
1/2/2026 6:01:57 PM
IBIS: Filling the Void
FEELING EMPTY WHILE HAVING IT ALL
Over the holidays, I had several conversations that stayed with me long after they ended. I spoke with different people, living very different lives, yet beneath each exchange lingered the same quiet question: Is this all there is? Those conversations led me to think more deeply about emptiness, and about how easily it is misunderstood.
We are born as empty vessels, not deficient but open, waiting to be shaped by experience. While the news often focuses on childhoods marked by trauma, most of us grow up in homes that are loving, stable, and quietly nurturing. As infants, we learn to signal hunger and comfort, warmth and fear. We laugh at silly faces and fall asleep in familiar arms. Curiosity pulls us forward—first crawling, then walking—opening our minds to an ever-widening world. We ask endless questions, and each answer expands our sense of what is possible. Over time, our lives fill slowly, piece by piece, guided by parents and relatives toward school, careers, relationships, and the versions of success our culture values most.
I was fortunate to grow up in a loving extended family. What I value most from that time was not security or achievement, but the nurturing of my curiosity. My parents did not treat my questions as nuisances. Instead, they encouraged them. That early permission to wonder still shapes how I experience the world. I do not experience the open space inside myself as emptiness, but as room—room for new ideas, new experiences, and new ways of seeing.
Many of the people I counsel experience that same inner space very differently. On paper, their lives look complete: education, careers, homes, families. Yet they describe a hollowness they struggle to name. It is not exactly sadness. It is more a sense that life has lost its texture and meaning, that they are going through the motions without feeling fully present. The question their thoughts circle when alone is unsettling in its simplicity: Is this all there is?
This feeling often emerges during times of change. It can surface after a marriage ends, when children leave home, or when retirement arrives without a clear next chapter. It also appears when work or daily life becomes repetitive and uninspiring. Outwardly, everything looks fine, but inwardly, there is fatigue and disconnection. Meaning rarely announces its absence loudly. It tends to fade quietly, and that quiet can be dangerous.
Psychologist Muhammad Tuhin offers a helpful perspective: “Emptiness isn’t a sign of failure. It’s often the product of living according to someone else’s definition of success.” In a culture shaped by visibility and performance, it is easy to confuse appearing fulfilled with actually being fulfilled. Emptiness, then, may have less to do with lack than with misalignment—the growing distance between who we are and who we have learned to present to the world.
I saw this clearly while managing a “Do You Need a Mother?” booth at a summer music festival. Many visitors in their forties and fifties spoke candidly about losing their sense of purpose. Some had left lucrative careers to search for meaning through travel. When they returned, however, they were unwilling to step into lower-paying work that felt more aligned with their values. Still shaped by an early definition of success that equated worth with income, they found themselves struggling financially and emotionally, uncertain how to move forward. Their search for meaning remained unresolved.
What struck me was not their failure, but their honesty. In these moments, emptiness was not an endpoint but a signal. Though the hollowness they felt suggested it was time to move on, they had not yet discovered where to go next.
Emptiness has little to do with financial circumstances, yet once it takes hold, it can be difficult to escape. The only real option is to pay attention to the space it creates, because that space can become an opening through which curiosity returns. At first, this curiosity may be small and unimpressive, taking the form of questions without immediate answers or interests that do not earn approval. Over time, however, meaning often reemerges quietly.
For some, it returns through time spent in nature. For others, it is rekindled through cooking, art, music, or helping someone else. Meaning rarely arrives fully formed. More often, it grows through attention.
Curiosity requires energy to survive. Movement, rest, connection, and reflection all matter. So does noticing what brings warmth or light into an ordinary week and allowing that to matter. It was not until I retired that I took writing seriously. I had to consider what I wanted to say and why I wanted to say it. My novel Antheia in the Thorns, which explores corporate environmental crime, is about to be published, and a third novel is currently being edited. Writing did not eliminate emptiness for me. Instead, it transformed it into spaciousness.
When emptiness begins to soften, it often gives way to a sense of freedom. The pressure to become someone new diminishes, leaving room to become more fully you. Emptiness is not a broken state. It can be energizing to realize that, at any age, you are still unfinished, with more of yourself—and more of life—waiting to be explored.
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I look forward to your comments. Have you ever been plagued with emptiness? How did you overcome it?
Art is always for sale. Ibis can be purchased on my website by going to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6373371/ibis#/ Questions" Contact me at [email protected]
For information about my books, click on my author's website at https://www.secretsofamuseumjunkie.com
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References:
Scottie, (2025) The True Peri: Emptiness, Not Sadness. NW Survival Magazine. zRetrieved from https://www.nwsurvival.us/2025/10/31/emptiness-not-sadness/
Tuhin, M. (2025). Why We Feel Empty Even When Life Looks Full. Science News Today. Retrieved from https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/why-we-feel-empty-even-when-life-looks-full
12/19/2025 2:05:03 PM
Curtain’s Up
Music and painting have a way of lifting our spirits and uniting us. They pull back the curtains separating people and soften the differences that weigh us down.
Reason Vs. Dogma
The Puritans came to the New World seeking religious freedom from the Church of England, which they believed had not gone far enough in breaking from Catholicism and still retained too many “Popish” rituals. They founded what became the Congregationalist tradition, grounded in the belief that churches should be autonomous, self-governing communities of worshipers. Christ, not bishops, was the ultimate authority.
Their faith rested on Calvinist doctrine, including predestination: the belief that God had already determined who would be saved and who would be damned, independent of human merit. This worldview demanded strict moral behavior and absolute obedience to scripture. While it offered certainty, it left little room for individual conscience or spiritual flexibility.
By the early 1800s, a reformed branch of Congregationalism emerged in response to a rapidly changing world shaped by industrial capitalism, scientific discovery, and social upheaval. This movement eventually broke away to form Unitarianism, which emphasized internal spiritual principles rather than miracles as the foundation of conscience. Unitarians believed each person could connect directly with the spiritual world and that every soul possessed inherent worth, without a division between the saved and the damned.
The Congregationalists established Harvard College to educate ministers and civic leaders with a Calvinist foundation. Over time, however, Harvard’s curriculum grew more liberal, shifting toward Unitarian thought and emphasizing reason, intellect, and moral philosophy. Many of these early Unitarians were drawn to a philosophical and literary movement gaining traction in Europe: Transcendentalism.
The term “transcendental” traces back to Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason (1788), which explored how moral knowledge arises from human reason and inner experience. In America, the movement took shape in the 1830s, notably after a meeting at Harvard’s Bicentennial celebration in 1836 attended by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Transcendentalists believed in individualism, self-reliance, and direct spiritual experience. They saw nature as a primary source of truth and rejected rigid doctrines that reinforced social hierarchy and materialism. What stayed with me from transcendentalist writing was the idea that freedom of thought was necessary if people were to live honestly.
Crucially, transcendentalists extended this belief beyond the privileged. They recognized the enslaved, the imprisoned, and the mentally and physically challenged as full members of society, entitled to equal spiritual and moral consideration. Personal liberty, in their view, was inseparable from social justice.
These ideas spread throughout the young nation, shaping both its literature and its politics. Emerson’s essays challenged conformity and urged moral independence. Thoreau’s Walden and later Civil Disobedience championed simplicity, nonconformity, and ethical resistance. The movement also drew figures such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Peabody—who pioneered the kindergarten movement in the United States—and Margaret Fuller, a leading advocate for women’s rights.
Several U.S. presidents were directly connected to Unitarian or transcendentalist thought. John Adams moved from Congregationalism toward Unitarianism, rejecting the divinity of Christ as incompatible with reason. His son, John Quincy Adams, helped found the First Unitarian Church of Washington, D.C. Millard Fillmore was a longtime member of a Unitarian congregation in Buffalo, and William Howard Taft openly identified as Unitarian and supported the American Unitarian Association.
Other presidents, while not formally affiliated, reflected transcendentalist ideals in their thinking. Thomas Jefferson championed intellectual freedom and the pursuit of knowledge. James Madison emphasized personal conscience and moral responsibility. Abraham Lincoln’s focus on self-reliance and ethical duty echoes transcendentalist influence, as does Rutherford B. Hayes’s commitment to education and social reform.
I was not raised in a Unitarian household, but growing up on the East Coast meant absorbing many of these ideas almost by osmosis. I still hold them close. I remember classrooms where questioning was encouraged. and dinner-table discussions where disagreements livened the conversation. I looked to science and nature for understanding, and I believed in the inherent worth of every human being. Most of all, I’ve learned that deeply held differences don’t have to lead to hatred or fear, and that they don’t have to end the dialogue.
As I move into a new year, transcendental principles feel less like history and more like the world I remember. Empathy, curiosity, and moral courage have long been part of the American experiment. I’ll try to carry them forward in small, ordinary ways; by listening, by questioning, and by resisting the urge to reduce people to labels.
My hope for 2026 is a simple one: more room for thoughtful disagreement, more generosity of spirit, and a renewed faith in our shared humanity. I wish you a peaceful holiday season spent with those you love, and an openness to cherishing the good in one another.
Peer into a transcendentalist heart through Marilynne’s art and books.
Artist website at www.eichingerfineart.com
Author’s website at www.secretsofamuseumjunkie.com
References:
1) Gura, P. (2012). Transcendentalism and Social Reform. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Retrieved from https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/transcendentalism-and-social-reform
2) Cole, P. 19198 Mary Moody Emerson and the Origins of Transcendentlism. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/mary-moody-emerson-and-the-origins-of-transcendentalism?
3)William R. Hutchison, The Transcendental Ministers: Church Reform in the New England Renaissance (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), is still the best source for the religious roots of the controversy between younger and older Unitarians.
4) Emerson makes the distinction between the Reason and Understanding in his "Divinity School Address" of 1838. He speaks of the Oversoul in 1841 in the essay by that name.
5) Richard Francis, Fruitlands: The Alcott Family and Their Search for Utopia (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010).
6) Elizabeth Peabody, "Egotheism, the Atheism of Today" (1858), reprinted in idem., Last Evening with Allston and Other Papers (Boston: D. Lathrop, 1886), 3.
7) Ralph Waldo Emerson to Moncure Daniel Conway, June 6, 1860, in Ralph L. Rusk and Eleanor M. Tilton, Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 10 vols. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1939–1995), 5: 221; and Emerson, Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks, ed. William H. Gilman, et al., 16 vols. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1960–1982), 14: 352–353.
8) Octavius Brooks Frothingham, Transcendentalism in New England: A History (New York: Putnam, 1876), 331.
12/12/2025 9:18:38 PM
Can a youth overcome life in a dysfunctional, drug-abusing household to become a contributing member of society? Making the switch isn’t easy. Streetwise once told me that he preferred to go to jail, where he’d have a warm bed and food, rather than spend the rest of his life on the streets.
Is There a Gene for Cruelty?
Do people have a genetic predisposition toward being evil? When I look at conflicts around the world and growing divisions in our own country, I can’t help but revisit the old nurture vs. nature question. With human rights abuses mounting, I wonder whether science has learned more since the completion of the Human Genome Project.
Psychologists identify sadistic or callous individuals as those who score high on measures of lying, manipulativeness, lack of empathy, aggression, and criminality. Large twin studies suggest that traits associated with psychopathy are moderately to highly heritable. This means genetics plays a significant role. Individuals with stronger genetic predispositions showed higher levels of callousness and emotional detachment.
Psychopaths and sociopaths both disregard social norms, customs, and the rights of others without remorse. Sociopaths tend to be more impulsive and emotionally volatile. Their crimes are often spontaneous actions that may later cause distress. Psychopaths are outwardly controlled and more elusive to recognition. They often lead outwardly normal lives, manipulating others by mimicking emotions they do not truly feel.
There is evidence that psychopathy has a stronger biological component, while sociopathy is more closely linked to trauma and neglect. Still, most researchers agree that behavior emerges from gene–environment interaction, not from genetics alone.
This question became personal for me when I learned of ongoing bullying in my granddaughter’s fourth-grade class. I wondered whether those children had been subjected to violence or neglect at home. That instinct aligns with research showing that early adversity is one of the strongest predictors of later aggression. I felt the school needed to address it immediately so the children wouldn’t carry unresolved trauma into adulthood, potentially harming others.
What my intuition didn’t fully consider was how biology can influence those experiences. One gene I read about is MAOA, sometimes called the “warrior gene.” Certain variants of MAOA affect how the brain regulates neurotransmitters linked to mood and impulse control. Research suggests these variants are associated with increased risk of aggressive or antisocial behavior, especially when combined with childhood trauma. Children without that genetic vulnerability appear more likely to overcome early abuse. Some studies showed that those with both the gene variant and early trauma were much more likely to be convicted of violent crimes later in life.
When neuroscientist Christian Jarrett was asked whether there is evidence-based therapy for individuals with psychopathic traits, his answer was cautious. Recently, New Zealand psychologists have called the belief that psychopathy cannot be treated a myth. New evidence suggests that intensive cognitive behavioral programs can reduce violent behavior and help some individuals experience empathy and regret, even though their core personality traits remain unchanged.
Another emerging field, epigenetics, further complicates the story. Severe stress or trauma can leave chemical markers on genes involved in stress regulation, altering how those genes are expressed. Research involving Holocaust survivors and other victims of political violence suggests these effects may persist across generations, allowing violence and neglect to continue beyond a single lifetime.
Unfortunately, cruelty can also feel rewarding in the short term. For some, fighting and hurting others is exciting, giving a sense of power. Since the neurochemicals responsible for those feelings don’t last, it often leads to repeated acts of cruelty in a destructive cycle that also damages the person’s health.
By contrast, good deeds such as helping, cooperating, and caring activate brain systems linked to long-term well-being. Kindness and generosity are associated with lower stress, better health, and sustained happiness. Goodness reinforces itself, propelling people to do more.
When we look at today’s political landscape, the violent treatment of immigrants, the killing of suspects willing to surrender, and the disproportionate incarceration of people based on skin color, I feel fear. I am tempted to wonder whether sociopaths or psychopaths are at the helm, knowing that what they are doing is a crime against humanity.
Though genes and trauma matter, having a trustworthy leader matters more. If we want a future with less fear and violence, we must focus on reducing harm, protecting children, and building environments that reward empathy rather than cruelty.
References:
Stokstad,E. (2002) Violent Effects of Abuse Tied to Gene. Science. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/content/article/violent-effects-abuse-tied-gene
Jarrett,C. (2025). Can people have a genetic predisposition towards being evil? BBC Science Focus. Retrieved from https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/can-people-have-a-genetic-predisposition-towards-being-evil
Jarrett,C. (2025) Is there a cure for evil? BBScience Focus. Retrieved from https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/is-there-a-cure-for-evil
Viding, E., & McCrory, E. (2019). Towards understanding atypical social affiliation in psychopathy. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(5), 437–444.
Glenn, A. L., & Raine, A. (2014). Neurocriminology: Implications for the punishment, prediction and prevention of criminal behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15, 54–63.
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I imagine you might have a lot to say on the subject. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Reminder. Art is available for sale. Some prices are already reduced for the holidays. Make me an offer if you see something you like that seems beyond your reach. Contact me at [email protected], and I’ll do my best to have it arrive before Christmas.
Books by Marilynne Eichinger make a great gift. They are available on Amazon
12/6/2025 10:53:33 AM
AMERICAN BEAUTY. She may be a convincing speaker and attractive to look at, but it doesn't mean she'll be a good leader.
Leadership Is Not About You
Last week, I was invited to speak at an international leadership conference in London. As I considered what to say, I realized how often leadership is presented as a toolkit—team-building frameworks, efficiency metrics, time-management hacks. Useful, yes, but rarely the heart of the matter. What most conversations skip is the simplest, hardest question: How do you make people actually want to follow you?
Mission helps, but it isn’t enough: Managing a nonprofit may seem easier than managing a commercial business because staff usually arrive with a built-in sense of purpose. They want to contribute to the public good. A leader’s job is not to ignite that flame but to keep it burning brightly, ensuring every team member understands the mission well enough to explain it to their family, their friends, and themselves on difficult days.
Founding a nonprofit and growing it by leaps rather than inches is just as challenging as starting a for-profit business. When I started Impression Five Science Museum in Michigan, and later while serving as president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the obstacles were the same: raising visibility, attracting funding, and navigating a thicket of competition and regulations. Older organizations sometimes feared we would siphon their support when we decided to move and expand. Government rules shifted like sand, forcing us to develop a riverfront walkway that added millions to the cost. To survive, founders need passion deep enough to outlast rejection and skepticism. They must communicate clearly, not just with wealthy donors but with people from every background, and stay open to feedback that reshapes their ideas.
Leadership sets the tone with immediate results: When I first went to city hall in Michigan seeking support for my fledgling museum, the mayor’s executive assistant dismissed me with a curt instruction to “get in a five-year line.” Her posture, her tone, even the set of her face said, Don’t bother. The man at the top was budget-driven and allergic to new ideas. The negativity I felt when entering city hall shifted when a new mayor was elected with a can-do mindset. He listened to constituents’ ideas to improve the community and his energy changed the entire staff’s attitude.
That lesson stayed with me: the person at the top creates the emotional climate for everyone else.
The best leaders don’t stand above, they stand with: After 25 years of running museums, I left to start a national educational products catalog. That’s where I learned that leadership has little to do with hierarchy and everything to do with the daily emotional reality of the workplace. A president may sit at the “head” of an organization, but the real movement comes from the arms, legs, and hands. A good leader keeps the whole system healthy.
For me, that meant helping every person—from janitors to call-center staff—understand why their work mattered. We weren’t shipping toys; we were helping children learn and grow. In December, warehouse staff joked that they were “Santa’s helpers,” and they meant it. Call-center employees took pride in matching products to children’s learning styles. Having a purpose made the work feel meaningful.
Everyone has ideas : Suggestions were welcomed from every corner of the building. Receptionists and warehouse workers are often underemployed but full of insight. When someone brought me an idea, I often asked them to explore it further and report back. More than once, a temporary employee became permanent because they showed initiative and creativity. An assistant bookkeeper asked to organize a safety committee did a fantastic job, perhaps better than asking a manager. It gave her a chance to shine.
We also recognized contributions through PRIDE (People Rising In Doing Excellence) awards. Recipients received a stuffed pride animal on their desk for a week. Colleagues would stop by, curious to hear the story behind it. Anyone could nominate someone else—for helping move boxes, sharing lunch, supporting a colleague who was overwhelmed, or pitching in during a tight deadline. We announced the nominations at executive meetings, with applause, ensuring the quiet acts of kindness and effort were recognized.
Leadership at its core, is about worth: Last year, I visited Santa Fe and met with one of the first people I ever hired—an educator from my Michigan museum fifty years ago. She now owns and operates two art galleries, including one in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Over lunch, she told me a story I had long forgotten. Early in her career, she hesitantly came to my office with an idea for a new program. She expected to be dismissed. Instead, she said, I encouraged her to develop it—and promised to help her find the funds to make it happen.
“That moment changed my life,” she told me. It gave her the courage to pursue her dreams when she moved to New Mexico. When employees feel their work contributes to society, life becomes more meaningful. When they feel respected, heard, and included, they bring their full selves to the task. Leadership is not about the leader’s ego or vision. It’s about creating an environment where others feel valued and purposeful.
Please share your leadership experiences, both good and bad. Both are enlightening and lead to personal growth. Share at
Art is always for sale. AMERICAN BEAUTY's price was reduced for the holiday season. Price includes shipping in continental U.S. Painting is a 40" by 24 " acrylic painting. Purchased online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1650119/american-beauty#/
Don't know what to give for this holiday. Buy a book. The Water Factor is a thriller based on fact, offering hours of pleasureable reading. The Water Factor is available through Powells Books, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble.
10/18/2025 6:21:02 PM
The Power of Hobbies to Keep You Sane and Why Schools Should Teach More Than Career Skills
During COVID, I took out my frustrations on canvas. Replanting the Garden was painted in May, when people were using their gardens as an escape from isolation with hopes that the pandemic would be short-lived. Flying High was painted in June, when kites were flying, as was the disease. We knew then that an ending wasn't in sight. Painting is one of the activities I use to relieve stress.
Most public schools today focus on preparing students for college, while a few trade schools prepare their students for careers.
While those goals are important, they overlook something equally vital to lifelong well-being: the development of hobbies. When I was a child, hobbies weren’t an afterthought — they were part of daily life. My parents and grandparents set the example. My mother and grandmother taught me sewing, knitting, crocheting, and art. My father took me fishing, played catch during baseball season, and spent weekends golfing. My grandfather, an accomplished photographer, had a darkroom in his basement where magic seemed to happen under the red glow of the safelight.
Throughout my childhood, I took ballet and piano lessons, attended art and craft classes, and went to children’s symphony concerts and plays. I ice skated, played tennis, skied, and rode horses. Some activities stuck; others didn’t. But each experience helped me discover what truly brought me joy.
Today, in retirement, I still write, paint, and stay physically active every day — habits rooted in those early experiences.
Schools also played a role back then. Home economics, shop, and music were required courses, teaching practical skills like cooking, sewing, woodworking, and metalworking. Summer programs kept us busy with crafts and sports. These opportunities weren’t expensive — many were free — and every child I knew participated in something. We weren’t glued to screens or gaming with strangers; we were building skills, confidence, and lifelong passions.
Research backs up what many of us intuitively know. A 2023 study in Nature Medicine found that among 93,000 adults over age 65, those with hobbies reported better health, greater happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction. Another study from Drexel University revealed that just 45 minutes of art-making significantly reduced cortisol levels, a key stress hormone.
Hobbies aren’t mere pastimes — they’re lifelines. Physical pursuits like hiking or dancing improve lung capacity, reduce inflammation, and lift mood. Creative hobbies like painting or woodworking enhance focus, dexterity, and emotional well-being. Above all, they give us purpose — a reason to look forward to each day.
Professionally, hobbies connect us with like-minded people, often easing loneliness and sometimes even leading to career opportunities. They make us more interesting, more balanced, and better equipped to handle stress.
So, how can you find time for hobbies in an already packed life?
- Start small. You don’t need to commit daily — even a few hours a week can make a difference.
- Take mindful breaks. Replace mindless scrolling or TV time with something creative or active.
- Explore. Try something new every few months — a class, a sport, or a craft — and see what resonates.
As the modern workweek continues to shrink and more people work remotely, the need for meaningful engagement outside of work will only grow. Schools, governments, parents, and grandparents can all help by modeling balanced living and ensuring that hobby programs remain affordable and accessible. A society that values both productivity and personal fulfillment is a happier, healthier one. And it begins by teaching children ,not just how to make a living, but how to make a life.
References
Venkat, S.R.(2025) Health Benefits of Hobbies. WebMD.Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies
Wogan, H. (2024) Why having a hobby is good for your brain and body. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/hobby-health-benefits-exercise-art-outdoors
Mak, H. and associates (2023). Hobby engagement and mental well-being among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries.Nature Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02506-1
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Please start a discussion and share your hobbies below. Have you passed your passion on to the next generation?
Art is always for sale. To purchase Replanting the garden, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3536926/replanting-the-garden#/
To purchase Flying High, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3589866/flying-high#/
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Enjoy my writing. Read the Water Factor available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powells Books and aat Annie Blooms Books.
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9/26/2025 8:07:40 PM
Over the Fence: From Rags to Riches was painted to convey the difficulty of overcoming barriers to success and financial security.
The Irresistible Drive to Create
The drive to create is a defining quality of being human. From the time we are born, there is an impulse to bring into existence something that wasn’t there before. Scientific research indicates that exposure to natural environments stimulates curiosity and imagination, while psychology and neuroscience confirm that creativity is fueled by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. More than a survival tool, creation fulfills a profound human need: to explore, express, and shape the world around us. For many, the urge is so strong that it becomes inseparable from who they are.
I am one of those people. Talent has little to do with it. What matters is that the act of creating makes me feel alive. To put brush to canvas or words on a page elevates my spirit in a way I can hardly describe.
Theories about the purpose of art abound. Some scholars suggest that cave and rock paintings were meant as records for future generations. Yet as we leap forward in history to the Baroque period, we see art take on a different role: beauty for its own sake, an act that unites and uplifts. Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Rubens, and Rembrandt pushed boundaries, leaving works that shaped generations far beyond their own time.
The artist Raphael Soyer captured this impulse perfectly:
“If I don’t paint, I don't feel well physically or mentally. But when I paint a full day, I feel satisfied and everything seems to be OK. I would never stop, never retire. I can’t see how people can retire; I can’t understand that.”
Soyer also described writing in the same way:
“When I do write – especially if I get something on its way to publication – I feel as if I have had the best possible physical workout, as if I have swum a couple of miles.”
Like Soyer, I feel fortunate to live with two outlets—painting and writing. They give me balance. No matter how turbulent the world may be, creativity offers me a path back to inner peace. That doesn’t mean I ignore the horrors around me. I protest injustices, and I speak out. However, art and writing allow me to replenish my strength, so I can continue fighting.
When my son was diagnosed with cancer, anger and grief overwhelmed me. Painting became my way through. I poured my frustration onto the canvas and emerged steadier, able to support him through the long year that followed. Today, I channel my fury about environmental destruction into writing. My words become a bridge for those less attuned to nature, helping them see what is at stake and why the earth must remain a clean, green, and livable planet.
Creativity is not the possession of a chosen few, and it’s not confined to art. It is found in cooking, sewing, gardening, repairing a broken object, or repurposing its use. It lives in everyone, waiting to be nurtured. If you don’t cast it aside, creativity can keep you hopeful, energized, and resilient. It allows us to leave the world just a little better than it was when we first arrived.
References
- Kaufman, S. B., & Gregoire, C. (2016). Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind.TarcherPerigee.
- Runco, M. A., & Jaeger, G. J. (2012). “The Standard Definition of Creativity.” Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 92–96.
- Richards, R. (2007). Everyday Creativity and the Healthy Mind: Dynamic New Paths for Self and Society. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Harper Perennial.
- Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. Harvard University Press.
- Kellert, S. R., & Wilson, E. O. (1993). The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press.
- Collins, D. (20210. A relentless Drive to Create. Creative Grimorire. Retrieved from https://www.creativegrimoire.com/the-grimoire/the-drive-to-create___________________________________________________________________
Please leave a few words and share your creative outlet in the comment section below.
Over the Fence: From Rags to Riches is a 21 x 25” framed acrylic painting on canvas. It is available for sale at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1975474/over-the-fence-from-rags-to-riches#/
Questions? Contact me at [email protected]
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What if the water your community depends on disappeared overnight? That question drove me to write The Water Factor. By turning a serious issue, the corporate takeover of water, into a story, I could explore it with intrigue, tension, and heart. I imagined a group of young activists taking water trucks from the company draining the local aquifer, fighting for the lifeblood of their town. To my surprise, the scenario wasn’t entirely imaginary: water trucks have been stolen across the U.S. Writing fiction allowed me to transform my fear into a warning, inviting readers to see how close reality can sometimes be to the stories we tell.
The book can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Ask your bookstore to order a copy from Ingram. Please leave a review.
9/19/2025 8:22:44 PM
I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU
Most people not what you think they are, so you may as well have a good laugh!
A Laughing Matter
Years ago, while at a convention, I passed a room where people stood on chairs laughing. It seemed bizarre, but I later learned they were taking a laughter workshop. At the time, my own life was full of adventure and novelty, and I couldn’t imagine paying money to laugh. Watching my children grow up gave me plenty of opportunity to do so.
But this week, sitting in a circle of well-off friends sharing their emotional states, I realized how the ugly political climate has taken a toll. People who once described themselves as content now admitted to feeling anxious, angry, fearful, stressed, depressed, and sad. Out of nineteen of us, only two said they felt hopeful. Though these were active, healthy people—science-believers, vaccine-takers, and vitamin enthusiasts—many confessed they often cried after reading the news.
Remaining in a politically or socially induced depression isn’t healthy, so I began to think of remedies outside of counseling. The first thing that came to mind was laughter, nature’s antidote to sadness.
“Laughter is the best medicine” is more than a cliché. When you laugh, you breathe in more oxygen, which stimulates the lungs, heart, and muscles. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins. the brain’s feel-good chemicals. It’s similar to what athletes call the “runner’s high.” The physical boost to circulation may be short-lived, but it’s enough to remind us how good it feels to smile.
You might be surprised to learn that laughter can also provide temporary relief from pain. It produces small amounts of natural morphine, which dulls pain receptors in the brain. Don’t worry, becoming a laughter addict won’t get the narcs at your door, yet it might make you a happier person.
Stress, by contrast, is often deadly. I’ve heard of people experiencing a heart attack after a natural disaster or bad news, but never from receiving good news. Studies suggest laughter can actually improve cardiovascular function. It triggers beta-endorphins that make the lining of the heart more reactive, and it produces a muscle-relaxing effect that can last up to 45 minutes.
Though it won’t replace the gym, ten minutes of hearty laughing burns up to 40 calories, which adds up to about four pounds in a year. That’s funny enough to laugh about. Even more profoundly, laughter boosts immunity by reducing stress that has a negative effect on the systems governing health, including the immune system, and can decrease heart rate and blood pressure.. It also lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Another gift of laughter is its ability to shift perspective. Kings of old kept jesters in their courts for this very reason. Like today’s stand-up comics, jesters could cut through tension and reveal truth, often helping people see problems as less threatening and easier to bear.
A nd perhaps most importantly, laughter draws people closer. It’s social glue, increasing connection and strengthening relationships. By lowering stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine, it lifts mood and makes us easier to be around.
So, the next time the news cycle drags you down, remember that seven days without laughter makes one weak. And if that’s not enough, recall that ants who fight crime are called vigilantes, oceans say hi by making waves, and for this Halloween, there is still time to find a bird that gives out tweets.
Because sometimes the best prescription really is just a good laugh.
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Share a joke, tell a tale for your life. What makes you happy? What keeps you laughing? Respond on my blog site.
Art is always for sale. I thought I Knew You is a 36” by 18” framed, Mixed Media painting on Canvas. It will keep you laughing. Available for purchase on my website at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1353668/i-thought-i-knew-you#/
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References:
Mayo Clinic Staff (2025) Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. Mayo Clinic Healthy Lifestyle. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
Yoshikawa, Y. & Ohmake, E. and others. (2018) Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders. NIH National Library of Medicine. retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6279721/
Staff writer. (2025) The Truth About Laughter as Medicine. Facty Health. Retrieved from https://facty.com/lifestyle/wellness/the-truth-about-laughter-as-medicine/?______________________________________________________________________________
When I interviewed Streetwise for the book OVER THE PEANUT FENCE, about homeless and runaway kids, he shared a story I will always remember. Rather than holding up a sign, saying he was hungry and needed a handout, he made a sign that said, " I bet you can't hit me with your quarter." When people saw it, they laughed, and though no one ever threw a quarter at him, they often gave him a dollar or two. It wasn't long before he had enough to buy lunch or dinner.
Over the Peanut Fence is available in paperback and ebook formats in bookstores and online. To purchase on Amazon go to https://www.amazon.com/Over-Peanut-Fence-Barriers-Homeless-ebook/dp/B07Q7SLRM3
8/29/2025 6:12:17 PM
CURIOUS CAT
The Manhood Trap
Men are told to be providers, but what happens when the job disappears?Women in their mid-20s are storming into the workforce at historic rates. Men? They've stalled out for more than a decade. One in four fathers lives apart from his kids. And deaths of despair, overdoses, alcoholism, and suicide affect men at triple the rate of women.
Instead of addressing this crisis, some politicians mock women as "childless cat ladies" and tell men their masculinity depends on how they vote. Shockingly, the tactic works: in the last election, young men under 30 shifted sharply to the right.
Masculinity on the Brink For decades, feminism has broken barriers and redefined what women can be. However, while women expanded their roles, men's definition remained stuck to that of a provider.
According to the 2025 State of American Men Report, most Americans, men and women, still define manhood in economic terms. For men who can't fill that role, the fallout is brutal: shame, depression, sometimes suicide. Gen Z men, facing unstable work, are especially vulnerable.
Meanwhile, toughness and self-reliance are instilled in children early on by parents, peers, and the media. Vulnerability is punished. Violence is normalized. And when life doesn't measure up, resentment festers. By 2025, 38% of men said someone had told them they weren't a "real man," up from 29% just two years earlier. That's a lot of wounded pride waiting to be weaponized.
The Politics of Manhood The Pew Research Center found that nearly half of Republican men believe society looks down on masculinity, compared to only one in five Democratic men. Yet the public isn't clamoring for "toxic" behavior. Three-quarters of Americans say it's not acceptable for men to talk about women sexually. Nearly 70% disapprove of men having multiple casual partners. Two-thirds reject heavy drinking or fighting as signs of manhood.
Here's the contradiction: while society moves past outdated masculine norms, young men feel ignored. Sixty-nine percent say, "No one cares if men are okay." Their pain makes them easy prey for movements that channel frustration into grievance. Many grow skeptical of feminism and the LGBTQ movement, even as most are for diversity and say men and women deserve equal opportunities.
What I've Seen Up Close I've watched this struggle firsthand. At a music festival, I set up a booth called Do You Need a Mother? Dozens of men lined up-not joking, but desperate for someone to listen. Later, as a Lay Minister at the First Unitarian Church, I sat with middle-aged men crushed by dead-end jobs and retirees drifting into depression once their careers ended. These weren't anomalies. They were symptoms of a larger problem: a culture that gives men too few tools to redefine themselves.
On the positive side, I watched as my youngest son, who attended Benson Poly-Tech High School, learned to use woodworking, metalworking, and welding tools. As an adult, these skills continue to enrich and add meaning to life outside of work. He values himself as a person with broad interests who is not one-sided. And when something goes wrong at work, he has something to fall back on.
A Way Forward"Traditional masculinity-marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance, and aggression-is, on the whole, harmful," Psychology Today warns. Men raised this way are less likely to take care of themselves, less likely to reach for help, and more likely to self-destruct.
But the answer isn't shaming men or undoing women's progress. It's broadening the script. That means:
- Teaching boys emotional skills early. Vulnerability isn't weakness-it's survival.
- Normalizing paternity leave. Fathers who take it form stronger bonds with their children for life.
- Hiring more male teachers. Boys need to see men model care, curiosity, and patience-not just toughness.
- Reviving hands-on courses. Shop, art, music, cooking, gardening, sports, skills that give pride and purpose beyond a paycheck. Skills to be called on throughout life.
These changes may seem small, but they create lifelines. They give men ways to build an identity beyond money or muscle.
Toxic masculinity isn't a buzzword; it's a public health crisis. As work shifts from brawn to brains, clinging to outdated definitions will only leave more men stranded. The solutions don't require erasing women's gains. They require giving men space to redefine masculinity in healthier, more sustainable ways. Men deserve to take pride in who they are, not just in what they earn, how tough they act, or how many votes they deliver.
Because if we don't get this right, we won't just lose a generation of men. We'll lose the future they could help build.
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Do you or a man you know suffer from a lack of meaningful work? I look for your comments below.
Curious Cat Emerging is part of a private collection and is not for sale. I included it because it represents a wholesome outlook. It behooves us to be curious and throw off the things that hold us back. Paintings for sale are available through my website at https://www,ekchingerfineart.com
For questions, contact me at [email protected]/
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References:
Whalen, E (2025). Are Men OK? The Nation.Retrieved from https://www.thenation.com/article/society/richard-reeves-profile/
Illing, S.(2023) The New Crisis of Masculinity. VOX. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area/23813985/christine-emba-masculinity-the-gray-area
Little, N. (2025) The State of American Men is Not So Good. The 19th Newsletter. Retrieved from https://19thnews.org/2025/06/american-men-struggles-isolation-financial-pressure/
Drevitch, G. (2020) Is Masculinity in Crisis? If so, What should be Done? Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/202006/is-masculinity-in-crisis-if-so-what-should-be-done
Horowitz, J. & Parker, K. (2024) How Americans See Men and Masculinity. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/10/17/how-americans-see-men-and-masculinity/
7/18/2025 7:59:34 PM
114 DEGREES FARHENHEIT
The painting serves as a poignant reminder of how our disregard for scientific information about climate change has contributed to rising temperatures and the destruction of homes and forests.
What a Jazz Band Taught Me About the Web of Life
This week's reflection comes from a place of both urgency and hope.
Al Gore once said, "Political will is a renewable resource." He was speaking about our collective power in a democracy to act-especially in the face of the climate crisis. When we unite around shared values, we can transform systems. The potential is there. We just have to tap it.
This idea echoes a Unitarian Universalist principle I embraced in my youth:
"Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." It's a beautiful reminder that we are not isolated beings. We are part of a vast, delicate network of people, ecosystems, histories, and futures. The way we treat the planet and one another matters deeply.
Why This Matters to Me
Interdependence:
Every action ripples. Even small ones. Dropping a tissue on the road may seem harmless, but it could contribute to pollution or spread disease. A single careless moment can reverberate in ways we don't immediately see.
Environmental Reality:
Years ago, I traveled up the Dnieper River in Ukraine and saw people fishing in a thick, algae-covered, foul-smelling current. It broke my heart. That catch might have been the only food some families had. Sadly, similar conditions exist here in the U.S., where fish runs are disappearing and clean water is no longer a given. We survive together-or not at all.
Social Justice:
As a child, I learned about immigrants who built this country-Pilgrims fleeing persecution, Irish families escaping famine, African slaves picking cotton, and Chinese laborers laying tracks across the West. Many were met with hostility, despite their contributions. Their hurt stays with me, along with the good they brought to the melting pot experiment we call the United States. We may look different, but beneath our skin we share the same blood, bones, and dreams. How we treat one another shapes who we become as a society.
Beyond Individualism:
We are social beings. I once saw a music teacher form a high school jazz band filled with prodigies. Each student was gifted, but when the group first came together, it was a chaotic scene. Only when they stopped trying to outshine each other and started listening to the conductor did they create something beautiful. Harmony overcame ego, and community became more important than self.
The principle, a respect for the interdependent web, is more than a belief. It's a way of being.
It is a constant reminder that our fates are woven together, that no action is too small, and that we each hold a thread in the tapestry of change. It's what gives me hope, even in difficult times. If political will is renewable, then our compassion, courage, and collective strength are, too.
I’d love to hear from you:
Have you had a moment that reminded you we’re all connected?
Share your story on my Blog Site—or forward this to a friend who might need a little hope today.
Until next time,
Marilynne
The Water Factor is a Firebird International Award winner for best dystopian novel and a Literary Titan recipient for best thriller. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, locally at Powells Books and Annie Bloom's Books, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Ask your bookstore to order a copy from Ingram. Please leave a review.
114 DEGREES FARHENHEIT CAN BE PURCHASED ON LINE ON THIS WEBSITE. Questions? Contact me at [email protected]
7/12/2025 9:07:29 AM
Wade in: How Water Became the Heart of My Fiction
With so many urgent social justice issues facing us today, rising inequality, attacks on healthcare, threats to reproductive rights, I'm often asked why I chose water as the central theme of my novel. At first, I wasn't sure how to answer. Perhaps it began with my water billing—$500 seems outrageous for three people. But deeper than cost, there's a growing unease in our household. Ray only drinks bottled water, paying 2000 times more than if he drank it from a tap. I filter mine through a PUR system, even though officials say there's no lead risk because our home has plastic pipes. Still, I hesitate to trust what comes out of the tap.
That distrust was reinforced last week when I spoke with a man who manages the water system for a medium-sized town just north of Portland. To my surprise, he said he doesn't drink Bull Run water. I was always told Portland had one of the cleanest water sources in the country. The repeated detection of Cryptosporidium, a parasite that is particularly dangerous to those with compromised immune systems, casts a shadow over our so-called "pristine" water. Knowing that there are rusting pipes in various locations throughout the city added to my anxiety. as does the industrial waste and auto runoffs that pollute the water people swim in.Officials insist our water is safe--for most people.
But does that include me as I age and my immune system weakens? The long-delayed filtration project, intended to address this issue, is now postponed until at least 2027. It faces significant cost overruns that are likely to affect me through added taxes or higher water rates. Seniors on fixed incomes and low-income households will continue to be hit the hardest.
Reading Blue Gold by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke was a turning point. The book revealed how multinational corporations met behind closed doors and declared that water should no longer be a basic right, but a commodity. They pushed to privatize public systems, bottle and sell water for profit, and even trade water futures on the Stock Market.
That knowledge was chilling. As I dug deeper, I uncovered stories of energy companies acquiring water rights, of family farmers being pushed off their land, and of groundwater being diverted to enrich already wealthy investors. Across the globe, millions are displaced or left to suffer due to water scarcity. In the Middle East, water has become a weapon that's used to control, subjugate, and destroy.
Drinking water is essential for survival. It comprises approximately 60% of the human body. We can survive only a few days without it. Despite knowing this, we've allowed greed to dictate access to this most essential resource. I believe, fiercely, that clean, accessible water is a human right.
That belief drove me to write The Water Factor, a fact-based thriller that aims to wake readers up. In the first chapter, I imagined a community forced to rely on trucked-in water. I assumed it was fiction-until I discovered it's a reality in many places, even in water-rich states like Hawaii. The more I researched, the more plausible and alarming my plot became.
Learning about water isn't easy. Utilities often dodge transparency laws. But there are nonprofits in most communities working to uncover the truth. I urge you: read The Water Factor, then dig into how your own water system works. Ask questions. Demand transparency. Because the right to water may be slipping through our fingers, and we need to act before it's too late.
Cool Water was a Cowboy Song,written by Bob Nolan in 1924 that became popular during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. This song was originally posted on protestsonglyrics.netI. I used to hear it occasionally when I was a kid. It goes like this. . .
All day I’ve faced a barren waste,
without the taste of water, cool water.
Old Dan(2) and I with throats burnt dry,
And souls that cry for water,
Cool, clear water.
This song was originally posted on protestsonglyrics.net
(CHORUS:)
Keep a-movin’, Dan,
Don’t you listen to him, Dan,
He’s a devil not a man,
And he spreads the burning sand with water.
Dan, can you see that big green tree,
Where the water’s running free,
And it’s waiting there for me,
And you?
The nights are cool and I’m a fool,
Each star’s a pool of water, cool water.
But with the dawn, I’ll wake and yawn,
And carry on to water,
Cool, clear water.
This song was originally posted on protestsonglyrics.net
(CHORUS)
The shadows sway and seem to say,
“Tonight we pray for water,
Cool water.”
And way up there He’ll hear our prayer,
And show us where there’s water,
Cool, clear water.
(CHORUS)
Dan’s feet are sore, he’s yearning for,
Just one thing more than water,
Cool water.
Like me, I guess, he’d like to rest,
Where there’s no quest for water,
Cool, clear water.
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The Water Factor is a Firebird International Award winner for best dystopian novel and a Literary Titan recipient for best thriller. Though fun to read, it carries a severe message about water scarcity. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Ask your bookstore to order a copy from Ingram or buy from Annie Bloom’s Books in Multnomah Village.
7/4/2025 11:26:06 PM
FRACTURED AMERICA
Civil Discourse and Liberty
Civil discourse is becoming a rare commodity in today’s divided America. I recently witnessed how fragile it can be. I was in the lounge at the Subaru service center last week, waiting for the oil to be changed in my Forester. I struck up a conversation with a woman who was having a car inspected that she had inherited. Out of the blue, she mentioned how pleased she was that President Trump was “getting rid of immigrants—because most of them are criminals.”
Before I could respond, a man in his mid-thirties who had been quietly texting at a nearby table looked up. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t help but overhear. I’m a teacher, and what ICE is doing is criminal. Black-clad, masked men enter schools without warning and take kids—sobbing and screaming—from classrooms. It’s cruelty.”
The woman looked stunned. “Oh no,” she said. “They wouldn’t do that.”
“What makes you think that?” I asked. “Did you hear that on Fox News?”
“I don’t watch Fox News,” she insisted. “I just know!”
At that point, another man—large, well-dressed, and clearly agitated—stood up and joined in. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, lady,” he said loudly. “They’re going after law-abiding immigrants. Some of them aren’t even here illegally. You need to get your head screwed on straight.”
The woman fired back, “Where are you getting your information? The Democrats pay people to spread false news. You can’t trust it.”
Caught in the middle, with voices rising and tempers flaring, I did my best to defuse the situation. I spoke gently to the woman, telling her that it's often hard to know what to believe, which is why I try to read news from a variety of sources and fact-check when stories don’t align. Yes, it takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
She softened slightly and listened, though from the way she avoided my eyes, I could tell she wasn’t likely to dig deeper on her own. The men, clearly agitated and ready to argue further, backed off when the service attendant arrived to say my car was ready.
Later that evening, I read an article quoting Chief Justice John Roberts. In statements covered by The New York Times, The Guardian, AP News, Fox News, MSNBC, and elsewhere, Roberts condemned the dangerous rhetoric being directed at judges. He warned that inflammatory language—especially from public figures like President Trump and Senator Chuck Schumer—can incite threats or acts of violence. His message was simple: judicial independence must be protected, and reckless speech undermines our democracy.
Whether in an auto service center or on the Senate floor, we must remember that we are Americans first. Political affiliation and policy disagreements will always exist, but our nation depends on compromise, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to truth. There is no room for hatred or inflammatory rhetoric to further divide what is already a fragile democracy.
This Fourth of July weekend, I hope we all take a moment to reflect on the foundation of our country. The Statue of Liberty was raised as a
beacon of freedom and democracy. Millions of immigrants arrived at its base, welcomed by the words:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”
Let’s remember who we are and what we stand for, and have a happy fun-filled Fourth of July weekend.
6/20/2025 8:29:32 PM
View from a Bridge
I can only guess at the secretrs hidden behind the doors.
Private Worlds, Shared Worries
When the weather is good, I take long walks through my neighborhood, passing door after door, each one different. I often wonder what life is like behind them. What are the people inside thinking? How are they coping in a country fractured by discord? These musings bring to mind Anatole France's words: "Even a little dog is the center of his own universe." Each person in each house lives in a private world of their own making. Lately, I've grown curious about how my neighbors are feeling since the pandemic subsided.
One afternoon, I knocked on the door of an elderly neighbor. She told me she struggled to stay balanced on the emotional seesaw created by the daily news. She missed seeing her family and scolded herself for once believing the world was on a path toward peace. "I really thought the United Nations would help solve global problems through dialogue instead of war," she said, her voice breaking with grief. I felt her pain as she choked back a cry.
A few houses down, I passed a mother of young children leaning against her doorjamb. During the pandemic, she had grown used to working from home. Now, back in the office, she struggles to juggle childcare, doctor visits, soccer games, and gymnastics. It's remarkable she manages to keep her job while raising a family. Evenings bring more stress; housework and dinner leave her drained. She confessed that she wishes for a hybrid work arrangement that would let her work from home a few days a week. She gave me a sheepish look as she admitted, "I hate myself for letting the kids spend so much time on their phones, but it's the only way I can get a break and make dinner in peace."
Behind another door lives a furloughed father who lost his job with NOAA during Musk's downsizing efforts. Oregon's four National Weather Service offices saw staff cuts of 25% to 60%, affecting meteorologists, hydrologists, and technicians. This man not only fears for his own future, wondering if he'll ever find another job as a meteorologist. He also expressed concern for the integrity of climate reporting, with global warming seemingly struck from the weather forecast vocabulary. He spends his days watching endless newscasts and sleeping twelve hours a day. His depression is severe. Though he jogs daily, he avoids his friends and won't consider reaching out for professional
A few blocks away, I passed the home of a couple who married just before the last election. They've postponed having children, unwilling to bring a baby into such uncertain times. The husband, a doctor in the Oregon National Guard, fears he might be deployed if conflict arises. He dreads the thought of harming innocent people or witnessing their suffering. Their long-anticipated trip to Arches National Park is also in doubt due to budget cuts to the country's Monuments and Parks and fears of overcrowding. For now, the future, including whether to have children, remains unspoken.
Then there's the family that calls me "Grandma." I've known them for seven years-an African- American couple with two children, ages ten and fourteen. I helped the father earn his commercial driver's license, enabling him to become a truck driver and support his family. They immigrated to escape violence, became citizens, and have a deep love for this country. But today's headlines unsettle them, reminding them of the instability they left behind.
Just down the street from my home is a door I pass often. It opens to the home of a doctor whose hours have i increased due to ongoing budget cuts.Oregon's public health system is overwhelmed, understaffed, and struggling with burnout and a lack of resources. The result? Longer wait times and reduced access to care. He worries now not just for his patients, but for his own mental and physical health. His latest fear, though, is changes to Medicaid. That may have an opposite effect, causing him to lose his job due to patients losing their insurance. He finds it difficult to plan for the future.
My own door opens to a universe that, in many ways, remains unchanged from before the pandemic and the shift in administration. I still exercise daily, write, read, paint, and serve as a lay minister with the Unitarian Church. Ray and I continue to talk, argue, make up, and, above all, remain grateful for each other.
These days, I'm more mindful, more deliberate in how I drive and how I interact with people on the street. I'm encouraged by the peaceful protests and inspired by young people who are stepping up to demand change in a country that too often burdens the poor. In this charged and energized atmosphere, I feel a deep sense of hope. Our youth, with their fresh eyes and open hearts, are embracing diversity and envisioning new possibilities. Through their determination, I believe the world truly can be transformed for the better.
Welcome Home
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I look forward to your comments. Do your neighbors share their concerns? Comment on my blog site.
Art is always for sale. View from the Bridge is a 32" by 22" multimedia 3D sculpted painting available for sale on my website for $795, which includes shipping. Questions? Contact me at M[email protected]. To purchase online, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/1534176/view-from-a-bridge#/
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According to the UN, water is at the center of the climate crisis. THE WATER FACTOR, A RIGHTFULLY MINE NOVEL, is your chance to peer into the near future to a time of water scarcity controlled by corporate criminals. Why do some people step up to the challenge while others don’t? The story is a gripping tale of water scarcity and corporate wrongdoing, and the people who fight for their rights. The Water Factor is a Firebird International Award winner for best dystopian novel and a Literary Titan recipient for best thriller.
It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books, Annie Bloom's Books, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
6/13/2025 8:30:35 PM
EMERGING SUNLIGHT
Get rid of the fear, the chaos, and let the sun shine through.
Afraid, Frozen, Yet Still Moving Forward
Years ago, a student came into my college counseling office, pale and shaking. Paralyzed by overwhelming fear, he couldn’t get out of his car to cross the street and enter a building. His phobia was interfering with his life.
A phobia is an irrational, persistent fear of an object, situation, or activity, so powerful it can trigger a full-blown panic attack. Physical and emotional symptoms surface even in the absence of real danger. According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, phobias often begin between the ages of 15 and 20. While both men and women experience them, men are more likely to seek treatment. The root causes remain unclear but are thought to involve a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Fortunately, phobias can be treated.
I don’t know what triggered that young man’s fear, but I do know what sparked one of my own. After a childhood accident on a roller coaster, I avoided them for decades. Then, in my seventies, I found myself at a Universal theme park, watching my granddaughter ride them with ease. When I saw young children laughing as they exited, something shifted in me. Bored of watching from the sidelines, I gave it another try—and discovered the rides weren’t so terrifying after all (though I still avoid the ones with loops!).
My grandson also chose to face his fear. After falling from a horse several times, he was understandably wary. But years later, he joined me on a trail ride, jaw clenched, eyes wide with apprehension. With a gentle guide and some encouragement, he ended the day confidently trotting on his own. I admired his bravery.
The student I worked with eventually found relief through cognitive-behavioral therapy. During our sessions, I’d turn off the lights and guide him through a visualization exercise, asking him to picture each step of the feared activity. Over time, the anxiety loosened its grip. Overcoming irrational fear takes real courage. When phobias interfere with daily life, therapy—especially gradual exposure techniques—can be highly effective.
Breathing and relaxation exercises can also help reduce the body’s physical response to stress.
I bring this up now because I see a different kind of fear spreading: social and political anxiety. It's more than the fear of public speaking or social awkwardness. It's a deep, persistent dread, fueled by media and political rhetoric, that causes people to withdraw from conversation, stop watching the news, and avoid friends and family with differing views. But avoidance doesn't ease the fear; it often amplifies it.
One woman told me she bursts into tears when she reads about people starving in Gaza or being taken from their homes by masked ICE agents. She imagines herself in their place and becomes so overwhelmed that she can’t leave her own home. Unchecked, this kind of fear, like any phobia, can interfere with work, relationships, and even sleep. It can leave people frozen, unable to act, think clearly, or take meaningful steps toward relief. Some turn to substance abuse to self-medicate; others lash out in anger or direct their fear toward imagined enemies.
Avoidance doesn’t solve fear. Facing it calmly and gradually can. Fear and hope are powerful, opposing forces. Fear can ignite wars, silence dissent, and erode human rights. But while fear may be paralyzing, it isn’t permanent. Just as my student learned, overcoming fear requires effort and courage, but the reward is the freedom that comes with it.
We may not be able to change the world overnight, but we can change how we respond to it. That means staying informed without getting overwhelmed, setting boundaries with media consumption, and engaging in conversations, especially hard ones, with compassion and curiosity. Whether it’s roller coasters, horses, or challenging conversations, facing fear step by step helps us grow. We don’t have to let politicians or media sensationalism dictate how we live. With courage and by supporting each other, we can reclaim our voice, our peace, and our place in the world.
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I look forward to your comments below.
Art is always for sale. Emerging Sunlight is a 16" by 20 " acrylic painting on canvas. It can be purchased for $295 through my website at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6123537/emerging-sunlight#/ For additional questions, contact me at [email protected]
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References:
Website (2025) Phobias. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24757-phobias Podcast.
Ramadan H. Shants, J. (2016).Manufacturing Phobias: The Political Production of Fear in Theory and Practice. University of Toronto Press. ISBN978-1-4426-25884-7
Understanding and overcoming phobias: Martin Antony, PhD. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/overcoming-phobias
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Why would a playboy twenty-year-old become a social activist, willing to put his life on the line to reclaim his tribe’s right to water? The Water Factor presents a powerful example of what can occur when people become so disenchanted with corporate greed that they overcome their fears and take action. The book is a Firebird International Award winner for Best Dystopian Novel and a Literary Titan recipient for Best Thriller. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats.
It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
5/31/2025 11:12:02 AM
Why Art Matters
As Washington continues to defund the arts, you might find yourself asking: Why not? Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) distributed nearly $36.9 million through 1,474 grants across the country. In addition, funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was severely slashed in an effort to dismantle the agency altogether.
These cuts may seem negligible, just 0.0046% of the federal budget, but the stakes are high. Museums alone contribute over $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Under the current administration, sweeping proposals are aimed at eliminating the NEA, NEH, and IMLS entirely. As a result, thousands of grants that supported research, theaters, arts and science education, museums, artists, conservation, community programs, and jobs have vanished. So, who cares?
I do.
I spent more than twenty-five years running museums, and I've seen firsthand how the arts enrich lives and communities. As the American Alliance of Museums puts it: "Museums are vital community anchors serving all Americans. Museums are not only centers for education and inspiration but also economic engines creating jobs, driving tourism, and strengthening local economies."
But beyond the economics, the arts are essential to our humanity. They foster creativity, empathy, and beauty. They bring people together, enhance our mental well-being, and create career opportunities for millions. In fact, the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $1.1 trillion industry that supports 5.2 million jobs, 4.3% of the U.S. economy. Arts organizations drive local business revenue, unify neighborhoods, and offer a powerful antidote to stress and isolation.
Students who participate in the arts earn higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and they receive a more well-rounded education. Creativity and innovation-skills, highly sought after in today's workforce, are nurtured through the arts. According to Americans for the Arts, a University of Pennsylvania study found that cities with a high concentration of arts organizations experience greater civic engagement, stronger social cohesion, better child welfare, and lower poverty rates. Healthcare providers increasingly recognize the healing power of the arts in patient care. Personally, I've found solace in painting.
I began during one of the most stressful periods of my career, relocating the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Painting offered a meditative escape and helped me stay clear-headed and focused as a leader. Working in museums has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I've watched children explore alongside their parents, couples share inspiration on a date, and seniors enrich their twilight years with curiosity and connection.
These moments are not luxuries. They are vital to a meaningful life. The arts are not a frill. They are a foundation for a vibrant, resilient, and compassionate society. Contact your congressional delegation to see that arts and humanities remain funded. I look forward to your comments below.
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Art is always for sale. Cypress Tree is an acrylic on canvas framed painting, 30" by 24" It can be purchased online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/4119523/dont-drain-the-swamp-cypress-tree#/ For further information, contact me at [email protected]
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References:
arts.gov website,( 2025_National Endowment for the Arts Supports the Arts with Nearly $36.8 Million in Funding Nationwide. Retrieved from https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2025/national-endowment-arts-supports-arts-nearly-368-million-funding-nationwide
Art News website (2025) trump Administration Threatens Extreme Cuts to the National Endowment for the arts and the Humanities. Retrieved from https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/trump-administration-threatens-extreme-cuts-to-the-national-endowment-for-the-humanities-1234737588/
Art website (2025) What Trump’s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services means for US art. Retrieved from https://www.designboom.com/art/donald-trump-dismantling-institute-museum-library-services-us-art-culture-03-20-2025/
Veltman, C.(2025) Sweeping suits hit NEA after Trump administration call to eliminate the agency.NPR Website. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/05/03/nx-s1-5385888/sweeping-cuts-hit-nea-after-trump-administration-calls-to-eliminate-the-agency
Website (2025) Top 10 Reasons to support the Arts. Americans for the Arts. Retrieved from https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/advancing-arts-locally/top-10-reasons-to-support-the-arts
5/23/2025 8:24:49 PM
Three Men Dancing
Perseverance: The Power to Keep Going
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
Whenever I was asked about founding the Impression 5 Museum in Michigan or building the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, the first question was always the same: “What’s the secret to your success?” My answer never changed—passion and perseverance. Passion for engaging children through interactive learning. And perseverance when others told me it couldn’t be done.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Through the years, I’ve spoken with countless entrepreneurs, scientists, writers, leaders, and parents. Each of them—despite different paths—has emphasized one common trait: perseverance. They kept learning, stayed flexible through challenges, and never gave up. Their determination was rooted in optimism—a belief that the future holds promise.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller
Success is rarely smooth. The road is filled with potholes—setbacks, failures, rejection. Nine out of ten startups don’t make it. But those who succeed don’t let failure stop them. They adapt, learn, and keep going. They see adversity not as the end, but as a puzzle to solve.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Confidence and hope often begin at home. Parents are a child’s first role models. When they demonstrate how to persevere through difficulty, they’re teaching resilience. When they support a child who’s bullied, struggling, or afraid, they help shape a future adult who believes in themselves. Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—it means believing they can be overcome.
“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” – Jordan Belfort
Not everyone grows up in a nurturing home. But the good news is, perseverance and optimism can be learned. It starts with a simple shift: the willingness to try. And if that try fails, the determination to try again. Psychologist Lewis Lee found that optimists sleep better, have fewer strokes, and live longer than pessimists. Why? Because optimism builds resilience.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Changing your mindset isn’t always easy—but it’s possible. One of my early counseling clients was taught to snap a rubber band on his wrist whenever he caught himself thinking negatively. That small gesture became a powerful tool for awareness and change. Lee also suggests journaling—set goals, track your thoughts, and write down what you’re grateful for. Reflect on the best version of yourself. Recognize when negativity creeps in, and learn to see it as temporary—not permanent. Just like going to the gym strengthens your body, these mental exercises can rewire your brain.
Like many, I sometimes feel disheartened by today’s world. The kindness, decency, and open conversations I grew up with feel harder to come by. Too many are afraid to speak the truth. And yet—I remain hopeful. I believe that beneath the noise and fear, most people are still good. They care. And when the time comes, they’ll do what’s right.
Because they, too, have the power to persevere.
Please share your thought below.
Resources:
White. P. (2007) The Role of Perseverance in Success: Appreciation at Work Retrieved from https://www.appreciationatwork.com/blog/the-role-of-perseverance-in-success/?
Landowski,A. (2023) The Importance of Perservance & Optimism in Business. Ceo-review.Retrieved from https://www.ceo-review.com/the-importance-of-perseverance-optimism-in-business
Perton, V. ( wow5) Perseverance is Underpinned by Optimism. Optimism. Retrieved from www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/perseverance-is-underpinned-by-optimism
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I have a passion for writing, but find marketing my books less enjoyable. However, writing is pointless if the books remain unread. Therefore, I continue to persevere, hoping my words will resonate with someone.
The Water Factor is a Firebird International Award winner for best dystopian novel and a Literary Titan recipient for best thriller. Although enjoyable to read, it carries a severe message about water scarcity. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Ask your bookstore to order a copy from Ingram Sparks.
5/16/2025 6:07:53 PM
As I move through the routines of daily life, it’s easy to forget just how fragile our existence is. But this past week, flat on my back with the flu—feeling like I'd been hit by a Mack truck—I had no choice but to pause. One day I was bustling around town; the next, I was wrapped in a feverish cocoon, shivering under layers of blankets. With only so many years ahead, I resent losing any to coughing fits and tissues.
And yet, that forced stillness gave me something precious: time to reflect. Years ago, cancer reminded me of life’s impermanence. That experience taught me that every hour—every breath—is a gift. Time isn’t just something to fill; it’s something to honor. Why we’re here and what gives life meaning are questions that have preoccupied philosophers, poets, and prophets for millennia.
Now, in the later chapters of my life, I’ve settled into a personal philosophy that brings me a quiet kind of peace. I've come to believe there may be no grand, rational reason for my existence—and oddly, that realization has set me free. Without a predetermined script, I’m free to write my own story. And looking back, I see my life as a tapestry of stories—intertwined, unique, and shaped by every choice I’ve made.
Writing and painting are the tools used to express my desire to live. They’ve accompanied me on the journey to provide meaning for my existence.
These stories—yours and mine—extend beyond ourselves. They ripple outward through our families, communities, and the world. They are invisible brushstrokes painting the future in ways we may never see but that deeply influence. Through art, conversation, and kindness, we shape the world more than we know.
Ultimately, I believe a meaningful life is built on compassion, love, and the unwavering conviction that we can evolve into our best selves. That’s what makes life not just bearable, but beautiful.
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Building Bridges
Building bridges between our divisions,
I reach out to you, won't you reach out to me?
With all our voices and all our visions,
Friends, we can make such sweet harmony.
(From Greenham Common Peace Occupation1: 1981 protest to challenge the decision to site 96 Cruise Nuclear missles in Berkshire England.)
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Mystery is a 19" by 24" framed acrylic on canvas painting. Available for $685 o framed and delivered free in the Continental U.S. Purchase online at MYSTERY or contact me with your best offer at [email protected].
I look forward to your thoughts about life’s meaning. please comment below.
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Over the Peanut Fence is a collection of stories showing how homeless and runaway youth navigate life on the streets. The tales encompass compassionate individuals who have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of troubled youth. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell's Books
3/7/2025 5:54:58 PM
HOPE EXPLODING
All my friends are in therapy!
Political grief has driven many of my depressed friends to seek the help of a therapist—the fortunate ones who can find one, that is. Particularly striking is the number of men who once considered therapy unmanly but have now overcome their aversion. A close friend of my son went so far as to take his life while his wife was at home.
With the public mood marked by negativity, anxiety, and discontent, many feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. Therapists have never been busier and are increasingly closing their doors to new patients. Some are experiencing troubled dreams as they listen to one person after another express their fears, complaints, and confusion about the future.
Sarah Darghouth, a clinical psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, described her struggle to control her breathing the morning after the election. She allowed herself nine minutes to cry before composing herself for her first therapy session of the day. Aware that the best way to support distressed patients is to remain calm, she wondered how she would manage. Dealing with angst, grief, and existential threats is no easy task.
Vulnerable groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, undocumented migrants, racial minorities, individuals who lost jobs due to government downsizing, business owners facing declining sales, and victims of hate speech, enter therapy sessions asking, often between sobs, "What do I do now?"
If you are politically depressed, consider the following.
- Basic Needs Come First: Safety, security, housing, and food form the foundation of Maslow's hierarchy of psychological needs. These must be met before you can focus on self-esteem and self-actualization. Prioritizing self-care is essential.
- Addressing Work and Relationships: Resolving issues related to employment and personal relationships can help restore a sense of normalcy.
- Media Consumption and PTSD: Experiencing political defeat or witnessing distressing news coverage of abused migrants, war casualties, and environmental disasters can trigger PTSD. It is crucial to be mindful of media consumption. Grieving and mourning are natural, but staying in the present and avoiding worst-case scenarios is key.
- Managing Political Loss: Every election has winners and losers. Victors should be cautious not to humiliate those who lost, while the losing side benefits from self-reflection rather than placing blame. Learning to manage stress is both necessary and possible. Approaching political differences with an open mind and seeking common ground can be constructive.
- Understanding and Overcoming Social Pathologies: Issues such as xenophobia, sexism, gender discrimination, racism, anti-Asian hate, anti-Semitism, cult-like thinking, and climate denial can contribute to widespread distress. Recognizing these problems is the first step toward developing innovative solutions. Engaging with others to spread truth, transforming hateful perspectives into pathways to peace, and participating in movements that aim to create a better future for all Americans can foster hope and happiness.
- The Power of Community: Political action requires collective effort; it cannot be done in isolation. Secluding oneself at home can lead to a downward spiral, clouding judgment and impairing mental clarity. Acknowledging that one's feelings are shared by many can provide reassurance. Problems affecting mental health are best addressed through community-driven solutions.
- Avoiding Burnout: It is essential to balance activism with self-care. Good food, enjoyable activities, and regular exercise should complement serious endeavors. Spending time with friends, immersing oneself in nature, and maintaining family connections can improve well-being. Focusing on what is within one's control, engaging in laughter, and seeking relaxation within a supportive community can provide the energy needed to tackle complex challenges.
References:
Website. (2025) What the 2024 election looks like from the therapist’s room. STAT.rreports from the frontiers of health and medicine. retrieved from https://www.statnews.com/2024/11/08/therapy-2024-election-trump-anxiety-mental-health/
Muffin, S. (2024) How can Psychiatrists Help Our Post-Election Mental Health? Psychiatric Times. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/how-can-psychiatrists-help-our-post-election-mental-health
Hall, R. (2025) Stressed about Trump’s return? You’re not alone. Therapists are inundated with people worried about Trump 2.0. Independent U.S. Edition. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-presidency-2-therapists-inauguration-b2682699.html
Mental Health Crisis in U.S> Population. NeuroStim TMS Centers. Retrieved from https://neurostimtms.com/mental-health-crisis-politics-2025-inauguration/
How are you surviving these tumultuous times? Share your thoughts on my blog site.
Hope Exploding is a 30" by 22" acrylic painting on deep canvas. Purchase for $595 online. Questions? Contact me at [email protected]
HOPE TO SEE YOU
