“How are you Inventing Your Life Today?” the lead story from my last issue of Power & Presence drew comments from several readers. Most of the comments went something like: “I wish I could have the degree of control over my life that you apparently do.”
I want to say, I wish I had the degree of control over my life that it apparently looks like I have.
Earlier this summer, several of my 20-something neighbors who live in the apartments next door had a long and lively conversation in their back yard, which lies just beneath our bedroom window wide open on this particular warmish night. The conversation included beverages of one type or another (I hazarded some guesses), the containers for which, when drained, got thrown (loudly) into a recycle container. These antics took place between 2:30 and 3:30 A.M.
I debated for a while whether I should get up, dress, go next door, and have a conversation of my own. After tossing and turning for about 15 minutes, I decided to communicate through my open window. I got up, and I believe in a fairly centered way called out: “Quiet, please.” They heard me, I think, since...