In junior high, I used to shoot 100 free throws a day but could never make more than 57 shots. Elite athletes pour their heart and soul into the pursuit of excellence. What can we learn from them as we pursue our goals?

What difference can a bell make? The atomic bomb that killed 74,000 people in Nagasaki permanently silenced one of the two bells of the city’s Urakami Cathedral. Thanks to James Nolan, exactly 80 years later a replacement bell rang out for the first time, a gift from Christians as a tangible act of peacemaking and solidarity. How can you or I be a peacemaker?

Black people have provided lessons in fortitude, character, and excellence that all Americans can benefit from. Attacks on diversity and inclusion discourage access to these stories. Here are some of the role models we can learn from, including Diane Nash and Medgar Evers.

Pope Francis is rightfully praised for how he focused the attention of the Catholic Church and the whole world on people who are marginalized and left out. He was also a practical teacher with simple wisdom about how to live our everyday lives. He taught that continued discernment is needed after you make a decision, to evaluate whether it was a good decision or not. Is there gratitude to God, renewed energy, and freedom to let it go?

He never said "thank you." It’s a little thing, but it can have a big impact. Routinely giving thanks can change your whole outlook on life.

My wife Sonia and I were practicing. As I began to sing the second verse of my part, my voice cracked, I choked up, and I couldn’t go on.

In family relationships, choose respect rather than harsh words. When I was a teacher, I sometimes saw the verbal boxing matches that go...

An incident from my past keeps coming back to my mind.  As I have explored why, I have realized that one reason is that my pride was hurt...