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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] April 27, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 17 READING ALOUD[2] Twenty-five years ago, Rudine Sims Bishop wrote: “Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading then, becomes a means of self-affirmation.” As…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] April 20, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 16 CULTIVATING THROUGH CULTURE[2] Learning other cultural traditions can cultivate empathy. From Christians celebrating the resurrection of Jesus at Easter to Jewish communities commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt to Muslims celebrating Ramadan, early spring traditions involve central themes of hope and renewal. The…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] April 13, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 15 RESERVING JUDGMENT[2] As with raising children, educational curriculum, marriage, and many other things, there is no bright line for what to do or how to do it. So too with cultivating empathy, although reserving judgment is essential. Reserving judgment requires patience, a virtue often lost in…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] April 6, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 14 CULTIVATING EMPATHY[2] April’s theme is empathy, or what Ashley Abramson calls an “umbrella trait.” Ms. Abramson discusses research suggesting that the virtues of kindness, cooperation, and tolerance are cultivated through empathy. She cites several researchers, including this from Dr. Ann Rumble: “Empathetic people ask themselves, ‘Maybe…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] March 30, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 13 HATCHED[2] From goose eggs to platypus eggs to turtle eggs, eggs provide many memorable moments. The platypus is one of only two egg-laying mammals. Common in eastern Australia waterways, female platypus lay two to three leathery eggs in burrows near the water’s edge. The eggs hatch…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] March 23, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 12 NEW BEGINNINGS Spring has sprung, giving way to budding trees and bulbs poking through the soil, at least in many parts of the country. Meaningful moments in the season of rebirth and renewal are abundant, whether in the skies or on the ground. If you have…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] March 16, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 11 CLOVER’S PROMISE Clover is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day. The translation of shamrock means “little clover” or “young clover”. But clover inspires many magical and meaningful moments beyond March 17. “In clover” means a carefree life of ease, comfort, or prosperity. Clover is believed to…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] March 9, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 10 LIFE’S GREATEST LESSON “Pride. Vanity. Why do we do the things we do?” For those who have read Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, you no doubt recall that quote and many others. On the cover of Mitch’s book are the words, “life’s greatest lesson.” As…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] March 2, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 9 MEANINGFUL MOMENTS Between the events of the past week and learning that $215,000 is the value of today’s Oscars’ swag bag,[2] this month’s theme is “meaningful moments.” As Anne Frank said, “Human goodness does not lie in wealth and power, but in character and goodness.” From…
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WINSTON WEEKLY©[1] February 23, 2025 Vol. 3, No. 8 A CHILD’S LOVE As this month’s Winston Weekly ends, the love of and for a child is foremost on my mind. Although children have the uncanny ability to push every last nerve, their ability to learn, love, and grow is magical. Ashton Kutcher said following the…
Books. Furry, feathered, and finned friendships. And more.
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