Reflections
We learn through conversations. I share my perspectives and welcome responses from those who agree and disagree with me. This is what I am thinking about. What are you reflecting on?

Some movie remain relevant. Casablanca shows us love in the middle of World War ll, hope, despair, corruption and courage. All the President’s Men, a Vietnam generation movie is worth watching again. We are reminded that diligent reporters exposed government ...

Happy Memorial Day? No thanks! Just the opposite!
As a Vietnam Veteran I know this holiday is more than the beginning of summer, time for a trip to the beach, the mountains or a backyard barbecue. It is easy to forget those who died in war and now ...

Lin and I spent February in Puerto Rico. We took a respite from ice and snow and sought spiritual renewal. I wanted to reflect on peace and what sustains me rather than rant about Trump and Musk, MAGA and their cruelty.
We chose Puerto Rico because ...

Once upon a time…
It was a cold, dark and rainy night…
The sunrise led me into a beautiful day of adventures...
Childhood stories brought me adventures. I found new friends. Others made me want to fight invaders and conquer people who looked ...

We learn from mistakes but how many of us celebrate being wrong? I try to. I’m stubborn but love it when my eyes are opened by new information, different perspectives and discover a bias. My recent blunder was to resist suggestions that President Biden step ...

Hope is more important than optimism. Leaders have a vision of what is possible, are confident, inspire and mobilize us to defeat threats. Pessimists promote lethargy, fear, want proof we will succeed before they act. They call us naïve but hope guide success. ...

Congratulations graduate. Here is your degree and debt. For the next ten to twenty years you’ll pay for a decision made in high school before you knew the average salary for your profession, credit card interest rates and apartment prices, for food, ...

On Veterans Day people thank me for going to war. On Election Day I thank Republicans and Democrats at voting sites. I credit Donald Trump for getting me to thank those who administer our elections. Trump lies about stolen elections and falsely accuses our ...
Mary Magdalene crossed the Mediterranean to France as a refugee. She brought the Jesus story to Provence. Each year Catholics reenact her arrival on the beach at Sainte Maries de la Mer. Last month Lin and I spent two weeks visiting sites where she lived and ...

I am inspired by chrysalis, the process of caterpillars becoming butterflies. We witness disintegration, creation and invention. Transformation requires hope, vision, action and patience. I think of chrysalis as the auto workers strike for a seat at the table ...

Some adventure thrills us while too much risk terrifies. How do we balance our need for security with a hunger for adventure? Our daughter gave me a gift with the words “You can’t steal second base while keeping one foot on first.” The baseball analogy helps ...

I’m offended when comedians and rock stars say “If you remember the sixties, you really weren’t there” as if drugs defined the Vietnam generation. It’s personal for me and more. In 1960 I volunteered in JFK’s presidential campaign and spent the mid-sixties in ...
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About Ed

Ed Murphy has a long history as a leader in public policy, organized labor, economic and workforce development.
He lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.
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