Garry Crites

@HaroldFordJr @umichbball I think the world of you, brother, but I’m a Duke alum who is very happy tonight.

Just to be crystal clear on this wonderful Saturday - GO BLUE @umichbball

My current plan is to fast from social media again during Lent. I’ve learned how good it is for my soul.

Watched Pride and Prejudice tonight for the (probably) 10th time. I love that movie. Perfect movie for Valentine’s Day.

Listening to the Beatles made me consider what is my favorite album. So many good ones, from Introducing the Beatles, my first, MMT, Sgt Pepper, and of course, the White Album. But my go to is Abbey Road with Because, Here Comes the Sun, Come Together. Yep, that’s my choice.

Had a wonderful time at lunch today with the abbess of a local farm monastic community that operates within a Celtic tradition. The stories she told me were awe-inspiring.

We who are supervisors must always be mindful of how easily we can demoralize those who work for us. We must never focus so much on the bottom line that we forget that our coworkers are people with feelings, with lives, and with a right to dignity.

When politics retreats into partisan bunkers, we'd rather win an argument than have a conversation. We've turned politics into a war of echoes in soundproof rooms—and the echo chamber is where empathy goes to die.

I am growing to dislike going to the @barnesandnoble Cafe. Today every single table was full, but only half of them had someone who had purchased something.

Well, at least Andrea Bocelli was good.

Tonight at World Relief Durham, over 60 people of various faith traditions, ethnicities, and political persuasions gathered to pray together for refugees and immigrants, for their peace and well-being, and for leaders who would treat them with compassion.

I don’t like to upset people, but it is more important that I try to follow my Lord’s character, however unsuccessfully. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. 3 of 3

to see what is true and false on both sides rather than just the wrong of one side, and to speak with a voice that convinces rather than condemns. No one has a corner on truth and integrity, least of all me. 2 of 3

I’m pretty sure I upset some of my friends on the right with my views. I’m certain I upset some of my friends on the left. I’m just trying to be a voice of thoughtful moderation, to show love and respect rather than hate and disgust, 1 of 3

You can never take a word back that you have spoken in anger or frustration. You can apologize, you can try to do better--but the scars it left will always be there. Be careful how you say things to someone you love, even if something needs to be said.

So yes, I am a Christian, a leader, and a teacher--and I struggle at times. That does not make me a poor Christian, leader, or teacher--it makes me human. 3 of 3

But I believe the only way that we will ever defeat mental health stigma in our culture is for people, and especially leaders, to be more transparent about their own struggles. 2 of 3

I have never hidden the fact that I have dealt with varying levels of depression since adolescence. Some may ask why I have felt the need to share this publicly--after all, many of us were raised not "to air dirty laundry in public." 1 of 3

42 years ago this morning, a little girl was born at 25 1/2 weeks, one and a half pounds. She is still our miracle baby and the joy of our lives. Happy Birthday, Presh!

If this country is to survive, the great mass of Americans who inhabit the middle of the ideological spectrum need to retake the nation from those on the left and right extremes who are good at hyperbole but not always at developing sound, well-reasoned policies.

Had coffee this morning with one of the priests from St. Thomas More. There is something cool about a guy who can discuss the theology of the Eucharist in one paragraph and then switch over to what the Buffalo Bills need to do in the offseason to improve their chances next year.