Human Nature is Life's Greatest Riddle

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

Happy New Year's Eve 2025/2026

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

Life is a Riddle

 

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

New Year's Eve 2024/2025

 

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

The Riddle That Life Is

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

 

New Year's Eve 2023/2024

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

Life is a Riddle

 

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

New Year's Eve 2022/2023

 

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

It's OK that Life's a Riddle

 

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

New Year's Eve 2021/2022

 

Be Safe. Don't party unless you are vaccinated, boosted and/or masked.

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

Life is a Riddle, and That's OK

 

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

New Year's Eve 2020/2021

Be Safe. This is a year to celebrate by video and phone.

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

Further reading: Create Completion

Time to Move On

Endings and Beginnings

Focus on Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

Life's True Lessons Come As Riddles

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize
how little we understand about life,
ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
(and human nature is perhaps life's greatest riddle.)
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  The Nature of Learning

Lessons from Life

Beyond Understanding
      

New Year's Eve 2019/2020

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
- Oprah Winfrey

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Further reading: Time to Move On

Create Completion

Endings and Beginnings

Finishing

What's Done is Done
           

All Life Is A Riddle

Life is a riddle.
We cannot expect to understand life's twists and turns as they occur each day,
and we greatly frustrate ourselves in the futile attempt.
Be content to appreciate that there is an overarching purpose,
though that purpose be known only to God, and to history.
Choose service. Choose joy. Accept the unknowing.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it
than we do from learning the answer itself.
- Lloyd Alexander

Half of everything you were ever taught is wrong;
the question is which half.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.
- Jose Ortega Y Gasset

The book of life is filled with incoherent riddles.
Life's true lessons are inscribed in a corner of the margin.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Read more about The Book of Life

Further reading:  Lessons from Life

The Nature of Learning

Beyond Understanding
      

Education is Learning How to Learn

Education is not the answer to the question.
Education is the means to the answer to all questions.
- William Allin

We Learn...
10% of what we read,
20% of what we hear,
30% of what we see,
50% of what we see and hear,
70% of what we discuss,
80% of what we experience,
95% of what we teach others.
- William Glasser

True learning is not about facts,
but about conscious appreciation of the experience of living.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Learning is the beginning of wealth.
Learning is the beginning of health.
Learning is the beginning of spirituality.
Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.
- Jim Rohn

Further reading: Learn Through Observation

Learn from Failure

Learn From History

Knowledge is Soon Changed
    

New Year's Eve 2018/2019

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
- Oprah Winfrey

Happiness is like a kiss.
You must share it to enjoy it.
- Bernard Meltzer

Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom.
It should be the first duty of those who are happy
to let others know of their gladness.
- Maurice Maeterlinck

It's your life.
Live it with people who are alive.
It tends to be contagious.
- Peter McWilliams

At the end of a matter ask,
"What will I learn from this to make me better?"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Cheer for endings -- whether goals have been met or not --
whether the ending is tidy or ragged.
Without endings, there would be neither the opportunity
nor the incentive to think new thoughts,
and to begin great new projects.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: Create Completion

Endings and Beginnings

What's Done is Done

Time to Move On 

Finishing

Life Is A Succession Of Hard Lessons

The lessons of the past provide the path to the future.
- Anonymous

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
- Helen Keller

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
- B.F. Skinner

The difference between school and life?
In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
- Tom Bodett

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors,
and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
- George Washington

Never stop learning. Look for further education in all of life.

Further reading: Joy Blooms Where Minds and Hearts are Open

Question Your Questions

The Book of Life: Mystery and Riddle

Maybe So, Maybe Not. - Ancient Taoist Proverb

Perspective on Tradition: An Open Mind
      

Teach in Order to Understand

We Learn...
10% of what we read,
20% of what we hear,
30% of what we see,
50% of what we see and hear,
70% of what we discuss,
80% of what we experience,
95% of what we teach others.
- William Glasser

Education is not the answer to the question.
Education is the means to the answer to all questions.
- William Allin

Learning is the beginning of wealth.
Learning is the beginning of health.
Learning is the beginning of spirituality.
Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.
- Jim Rohn

True learning is not about facts,
but about conscious appreciation of the experience of living.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: Learning from Failure

Learning Through Observation

Knowledge is Soon Changed

Learning From History
    

Learning by Living, and Staying Alert

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
- Helen Keller

The lessons of the past provide the path to the future.
- Anonymous

The difference between school and life?
In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
- Tom Bodett

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
- B.F. Skinner

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors,
and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
- George Washington

Never stop learning. Look for further education in all of life.

Further reading: Question Your Questions

 The Book of Life: Mystery and Riddle

Perspective on Tradition: An Open Mind

Joy Blooms Where Minds and Hearts are Open

Maybe So, Maybe Not. - Ancient Taoist Proverb