Newsletter – An Excerpt of the Book “Empty Abundance” (Introduction)
By Tim McCarthy
October 15, 2019
“Life is difficult.” This was the first sentence of Scott Peck’s seminal book, “The Road Less Travelled.” Dr. Peck had not come up with a great revelation. “Life is suffering”...
There is a big gap between supporting the displaced and poor and enabling people who view themselves as victims. Our goal is the former and we avoid where possible the...
Essence of the music/lyrics: My guitar hero, John Zingg, gave me the Taylor/Carol King live album recently and I was reminded listening to this song that it is still my...
Essence of the music/lyrics: At 56, one of the most compelling lessons I've learned is that life is difficult, but need not be complicated unless I make it so. That...
Favorite lyric: “Stop trading your life for pay” Editor’s Note: Many songs I like have deep meaning. Others are just good campfire material. This Mike Perkins tune is loved for...
Essence of the music/lyrics: This song was popular before I could understand the message entirely. Since then its circle of life message is poignant. It’s also a further reminder that...
Essence of the music/lyrics: I enjoy life theme songs particularly those expressing love as the answer. This one is Irish singer Mary Black and is a bit haunting, both musically...
Essence of the music/lyrics: The song seems appropriate as we're arguing over immigration - who belongs here and who doesn't. The 60's Simon writes at the very beginnings of America's...
Essence of the music/lyrics: My daughter, Caitlin, recently introduced me to Adele of the outrageous voice. And for the voice gymnastics alone, this song is worth listening to. But I...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Just a song I love for the rhythm and the feeling of the music itself. No great lyrics this time, though the feeling they give me...
Essence of the music/lyrics: This Sting song is really brought to life for me in this cover by Eva Cassidy. It's a haunting tale of the passage of life with...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Seems like a perfect song to accompany my book-of-the-month "Simple Prosperity." My sisters loved this song and would blast it early in the morning from the...
Essence of the music/lyrics: A song for searchers such as me and most of our readers, the girls remind us that there's more than one answer to our questions. So...
Essence of the music/lyrics: It's a strange title and as with other Avett Brothers music this one uses humor to get your attention then delivers a message. Here, it is...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Great song, if a little edgy, for January. From my younger days, Browne reminded me that Jesus was not nearly so widely accepted in his day...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Another 70's song; songs I like because they seem to mark our generation's dawning awareness of the constant struggle between money and love. Browne captures the...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Jack Johnson, a contemporary of my children, sings in this song one of the great messages of all time - money doesn't buy happiness. I hope...
Essence of the music/lyrics: One of my favorite things about my favorite (only) daughter is that she shares music that she loves with me. The song came via email last...
Essence of the music/lyrics: Here again this month I've chosen something a theme of non-violence. Lee is a wonderful singer/songwriter who I suppose fits somewhere in the folk/rock/country genres but...