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Truths & Wonders

Reflections from a lifelong journey of learning

  • About This Blog

Author: Steve Sampson

Writer, husband, father, drummer, and would-be wise old wizard--not necessarily in that order. Founder of Better Word Partners LLC.

Go Ahead, Judge Me

On December 11, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Fatherly Advice1 Comment

I think we should spend less time saying "don't judge," and more time saying "judge wisely." Here's why.

2 Ways to Know Bo (and Each Other)

On December 11, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Words, Words, WordsLeave a comment

The two basic types of English nouns point to two basically different types of knowledge. Here's what each can teach us about how to know each other.

Listen Skeptically

On November 28, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

In 20 years as a writer and editor, I've learned to give everyone the benefit of my doubts-or at least to try.

If You Can Read This, Thank Ms. Aspinall 

On November 19, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories26 Comments

This week, I paused to think about the things I have to be thankful for--and remembered a teacher from Annandale High School.

What We Must Accept, and What We Never Should

On November 12, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn MusingsLeave a comment

An open letter to my daughters in the wake of a disappointing election.

From “Want” to “Will-Work-For”

On September 24, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Fatherly Advice1 Comment

Figuring out what you'll work for can teach you a lot about what you want.

3 Reasons Not to Worry About Finding Your Passion

On September 17, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Fatherly Advice4 Comments

"Pursue your passion" has become stock advice. But I'm not convinced it's right.

Finding the Right Words

On September 10, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Words, Words, Words2 Comments

It's mostly the distance between us that makes the right words hard to find. But it's the failure to find words--any words--that increases the distance between us.

Who Needs this Learning Stuff?

On September 1, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Fatherly AdviceLeave a comment

Dear Daughters, As you went back to school this week, one of you posed the question kids have been asking since the dawn of educational time: "when am I ever going to use this stuff?" You had in mind the contents of your lessons: the facts of history and the functions of algebra. But when …

Continue reading Who Needs this Learning Stuff?

3 Bits of Advice from Grandma

On August 27, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Fatherly Advice6 Comments

Dear Daughters, Sixteen years ago this week, my mother died from ovarian cancer. She was 59. All week, I've been thinking about what she would say to you now, if she could stop by for dinner some night. She would tell you how proud she was, for sure. She would gush about how smart and …

Continue reading 3 Bits of Advice from Grandma

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