The Bachelor Party
Surreal. I never understood what that word meant or what it felt like. Until that morning. Continue reading The Bachelor Party
Category: People and Places
Want to Write for Wise & Shine?
Hi, all. Wise & Shine is looking for a few new writers. If you’d like to apply to join the team, send samples of your writing via our “Contact” form. Please familiarize yourself with the sort of things our blog publishes before contacting us. We’ll send a set of writing guidelines to those who send examples of their work. We look forward to reading your … Continue reading Want to Write for Wise & Shine?
Whatever Happened to the Wise & Shine Podcast?
At the end of last year, this site started a podcast. We came up with a few topics and scheduled conversations, almost entirely among ourselves (those of us who publish our writings on the site). We then recorded those discussions and posted them. We were going at a great clip in the beginning. We managed to publish a new podcast each week. I took it … Continue reading Whatever Happened to the Wise & Shine Podcast?
10 Caring Traditions from Around the World
After the podcast of Billy Osogo on Ubuntu, I decided to search how people around the world show kindness, whether it comes from caring tradition or generosity. This may inspire you to show kindness to yourself or someone else today. Common to many cultures in Sub Saharan Africa, this concept was made popular by South African leaders Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This word … Continue reading 10 Caring Traditions from Around the World
Still Crying, Still Dying, Still Fragile
We recently passed the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The first images of the scene were horrible, especially the faces of the Ukrainians who were displaced, mourning loved ones, or just plain fearful of what was next. Continue reading Still Crying, Still Dying, Still Fragile
How Learning a Foreign Language Has Positive Effects on Your Brain
Learning a new language is like learning to drive. It doesn’t matter in which order you learn to steer, use the brake, or change gear. It’s what you do as a whole that is important, not which component you learn first. The latest breakthroughs in neurosciences, combined with innovative technology for measuring brain activity, are shedding new light on the neural basis of foreign language … Continue reading How Learning a Foreign Language Has Positive Effects on Your Brain
Prayers for Turkey
Hi all, I was going to write about another topic but I do not have the mental clarity for it. As you might know, I am from Turkey. As you might also know Turkey had very devastating earthquakes since Sunday, biggest in decades and in a populated area. Everyone I know is safe (that is, they are alive) but there are so many people who … Continue reading Prayers for Turkey
Cold Cash In Canada: A Family Misadventure
We were in a foreign country with no cash and no working credit cards. What could possibly go wrong? Continue reading Cold Cash In Canada: A Family Misadventure
Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)
I’m currently reading The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart, with “Willie” being the great Willie Nelson, musician and songwriter extraordinaire. As you might guess from the title, the book, coauthored by Nelson and Turk Pipkin, elucidates the singer’s philosophy of life, which was strongly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist tenets, and includes lots of autobiographical details. In one of … Continue reading Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)
Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023
In October of last year, Wise & Shine started a podcast. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be recording new episodes for your listening pleasure. Tuesday will be the day we publish new podcasts to the site. If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to our recordings from 2022. We are interested in hearing from readers and experts who’d like to be a part … Continue reading Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023
New Podcast: What Can the World Learn from Africa?
In the latest installment of the Wise & Shine podcast, I talk with Billy Osogo—one of our writers and a brilliant young man who lives in Nairobi, Kenya—about what the world can learn from Africa. In Billy’s very insightful response, he tells me about “Ubuntu” and a variety of other subjects. Have a listen and enjoy! Continue reading New Podcast: What Can the World Learn from Africa?
Longing for Home
What does it mean to be at home? A simple sentiment, but one filled with rich metaphorical meaning Home is much more than a shelter which protects you against the elements More profound than a property that stores your possessions It is a refuge not only for the body, but for the spirit Home is where we feel a deep connection, an intense bond, to … Continue reading Longing for Home
New Podcast: Soaring Over the Clouds with David!
On Wise & Shine’s newest podcast, I have an entertaining conversation with David (known as “AP2” on this site) about flying airplanes, writing, art, fatherhood, regrets, and other topics. After listening to our talk, check out David’s writing, including “Why I Write,” a piece that got 514 likes when it was first published. Continue reading New Podcast: Soaring Over the Clouds with David!
I Said Goodbye to a Great Man
It’s that time of year again when my mind goes back to December of 2003, exactly nineteen years ago now, when I had one of the most profound experiences of my life. A bit earlier in that year, in May of 2003 to be exact, my maternal grandfather, a real-life cowboy and a man I called “Pawpaw,” fell seriously ill. He was eighty-six years old … Continue reading I Said Goodbye to a Great Man
Max Dodo
The tutors who work at the Palo Alto College Writing Assistance Center are mostly in their late twenties and early thirties which means they’re young and energetic. Because they haven’t clocked many years on this planet, they’re not yet tired or jaded. This is likely the reason they’re so incredibly gung-ho about everything. So, when the college announced that it was time for everyone to … Continue reading Max Dodo
A Saint For The Homeless, My Family & Our Music
My family’s new, musical fundraising effort to support the homeless in our city. Continue reading A Saint For The Homeless, My Family & Our Music
New Podcast Today!
Hi! We’ve just posted a new episode of the Wise & Shine podcast. Have a listen as I talk with the uber-talented and insightful Art Russell. In this podcast, we attempt to answer the question “What’s Really Important?” Thanks for tuning in! Continue reading New Podcast Today!
The Man At The Fountain Part 2-What About Drugs?
Last week I shared my recent encounter with a homeless man, in which I gave him money. In the discussion that followed via the comment section and in actual conversations I had with friends, the subject of drugs came up several times. It usually went something like this: Continue reading The Man At The Fountain Part 2-What About Drugs?
That’s Punny!
I’m pretty upset with myself. I grew up in the Austin area (and yet!) I never once heard of El Arroyo restaurant, not until a few days ago. Since the 1980s, besides serving fine Tex-Mex cuisine to countless customers, the eatery has been posting imaginably funny and clever signs in its parking lot. In fact, if you search for the restaurant on the internet, you’ll … Continue reading That’s Punny!
The Man At The Fountain: Homelessness
Reflecting on my encounters with the homeless. Continue reading The Man At The Fountain: Homelessness