“You’ve got to feed your soul.” This observation came from a neighbor I was talking to not long ago. He had just commented on a few of my recent columns, and asked about my work in Uganda. His company has sponsored some projects and programs in Africa, and we were talking about how satisfying and fulfilling it can be to take part in such activities. We also talked about how people can be drawn to different types of projects or problems or missions or cultures, [...]

“Were you ever a dancer?” my doctor asked during my annual physical a few weeks ago. I was surprised – and flattered – by the question. “No,” I said. “But thanks for asking.” “A cheerleader?” he continued. That one made me laugh. I’ve never been particularly athletic or coordinated, and the closest I ever came to being a cheerleader was when I was in the marching band in high school. I wondered what made him ask about dancing and cheerleading, and he explained that as [...]

Like many other people around the country, I’ve spent a good portion of my evenings over the last two weeks sitting in front of my television, watching the Summer Olympics. It’s ironic that an event like the Olympics – which showcases people who are among the most physically fit and active in the world, and who are competing and performing at the highest level possible – turns so many of us into couch potatoes. But starting next week, I’ll get back to normal – although, [...]

“Do nothing, and keep moving.” That may sound like confusing and contradictory advice. But it’s something a few friends and I came up with recently, and I think if we all heeded it, we’d be healthier, happier, and in better shape mentally and physically. As individuals and as a society. The discussion started because one of the members of our group is a high school teacher who is retiring at the end of this school year, and we were asking about her plans for the [...]