Skip to content

Truths & Wonders

Reflections from a lifelong journey of learning

  • About This Blog

Category: Formative Memories

Mr. Know-it-All

On March 12, 2017September 18, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories2 Comments

Twenty years ago, I learned how little I really know--through a chance encounter outside a library with perhaps the smartest man I've ever met.

How I Became a Ladies Man

On January 21, 2017April 16, 2026 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories10 Comments

My mother taught me to treat women with respect and dignity and care. Not because they need some sort of special handling, but because we all do.

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.

Customer Service: A True Story

On July 30, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

The lesson I learned about service from a mysterious, far-away woman.

Failing Forward 500 Meters

On May 21, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories3 Comments

The comically true story of my sad debut as a high school swimmer.

The Best Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me

On May 8, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories5 Comments

It all has to do with not letting the really big chance pass you by.

How to Greet the World

On May 1, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative Memories6 Comments

Here's what I learned from watching my mother sing Christmas carols in a nursing home.

My Original Scar

On February 17, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

My first significant injury somehow makes for a fond memory.

Country Roads: A True Fable

On February 13, 2016November 20, 2017 By Steve SampsonIn Formative MemoriesLeave a comment

Going faster is only better if you know where you're headed and actually want to get there. Twice a year every year of my childhood, we would drive to Parkersburg, West Virginia, to visit my grandmother. In the early years especially, these trips could be pretty horrific. Our family car, a 1970 Chevy Nova, featured …

Continue reading Country Roads: A True Fable

Posts navigation

Newer posts

Current Top Posts

  • The Struggle to Write Is the Struggle to Think
    The Struggle to Write Is the Struggle to Think
  • 7 Basic Plots and How to Use Them
    7 Basic Plots and How to Use Them
  • Why Are People So Easily Deceived?
    Why Are People So Easily Deceived?
  • 4 Things that Can't Be Counted
    4 Things that Can't Be Counted
  • What I Learned from the Teen Psychologist
    What I Learned from the Teen Psychologist
  • Everybody Knows Something You Don't
    Everybody Knows Something You Don't
  • When You Catch Yourself Looking Down on Others, Look Up
    When You Catch Yourself Looking Down on Others, Look Up
  • If You Can Read This, Thank Ms. Aspinall 
    If You Can Read This, Thank Ms. Aspinall 
  • Beware the Curse of Knowledge
    Beware the Curse of Knowledge
  • 7 Things to Expect When You're the Dad of a Teenage Daughter
    7 Things to Expect When You're the Dad of a Teenage Daughter

Categories

  • Fatherly Advice
  • Formative Memories
  • Musings
  • Words to the Wise
Follow Truths & Wonders on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Tags

adulthood advice AI artificial intelligence attention bias books character childhood cognitive science communication community creative nonfiction creativity editing embodiment expectations family fatherhood fiction florence gratitude grit growing up happiness human nature imagination inspiration journalism judging judgment knowing knowledge language learning life listening love meaning measures memoir memory metrics mind mindfulness misinformation music nature nonfiction parenting perception perseverance philosophy politics psychology relationships resilience science self-help shakespeare spirituality story storytelling teaching technology teens thinking thoughts time truth understanding wisdom words work writing

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Blog at WordPress.com.

Loading Comments...