better life – Michael Likes Thinking

Us Them

Nope. That isn’t an error in the title. It’s intentional. What word would you put between those two words? The first thing that pops into my mind is us VERSUS them. Two parties on opposite sides, against each other. I don’t often think of us AND them. Two independent entities who can work together, opposeContinue reading “Us Them”

Us Them

Us ______ Them

Nope. That isn’t an error in the title. It’s intentional. How would you fill in the blank? The first thing that pops into my mind is us VERSUS them. Two parties on opposite sides, against each other. I don’t often think of us AND them. Two independent entities who can work together, oppose each otherContinue reading “Us ______ Them”

More. Or Less.

We’re all fungible. Replaceable. Basically commodities. Or so said a friend in the context of who was going to play in a pickleball game. I couldn’t argue. But it got me thinking. Aren’t we supposed to be unique and irreplaceable? So I asked myself, and I ask you, who’s irreplaceable to you? And to whomContinue reading “More. Or Less.”

Revelations From The Pickleball Court

Pickleball is having its moment. Most people I speak to have either tried it or listened to a friend wax on about why it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread (sound familiar?). I’ve been playing regularly for about a year and love it. But this isn’t about pickleball. It’s about human nature with pickleball asContinue reading “Revelations From The Pickleball Court”

My Code

Did you watch Dexter? He worked in forensics for the Miami Police Department. In his spare time he killed criminals who escaped justice. He used his code to determine if he should kill someone. My code is nothing like that. I watched a movie called Breaker Morant when I was a teenager. A line inContinue reading “My Code”

How Far Would You Go?

[Note: I spent a lot of time thinking about whether or not to write this. So much has already been written on this topic. But in the end I decided to write it because I don’t want to remain silent. So here goes.] How far would you go? To protect your loved ones, that is.Continue reading “How Far Would You Go?”

Everywhere, All the Time.

We’re friends, you and I. As close as can be. We share common values. We have common interests. We love spending time together. But there’s something you can’t see that I want you to know. I’m Jewish. “Are you kidding?!”, you’re probably saying. “You know I know that. We’re different religions, but we’re not religious.Continue reading “Everywhere, All the Time.”

Gone Fishin’. In My Head.

Hi. It’s been a while. Are you still here? If you are, you’ve probably realized I don’t stick to a regular writing schedule. Why is that? First, because I only write when I have something to say, like now. Second, it takes me time to write. There are writers who say the words flow offContinue reading “Gone Fishin’. In My Head.”

#1race1world

I wasn’t going to write about this. It’s a sensitive subject right now. I don’t want to offend anyone. Unintentionally, of course. But I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and this story has been gnawing to get out. So here goes. The four of us were out for a family dinner aContinue reading “#1race1world”