by Susan Mattern | Jul 8, 2019 | Kindness, Life
Words can make a difference in our lives. They can hurt. They can make the day special, one we will always remember. A word can change the course our lives. They can change our political and religious views. They can ruin our lives. I remember a day at the playground...
by Susan Mattern | Jul 5, 2019 | Finding Purpose in Life, Human Connection, Values
I belong to Toastmasters, a great organization, and I remember an international speech a few years ago where the speaker stood on stage holding a white piece of paper. In the middle of the paper was a red mark. The first thing you saw was the red. It stood out. You...
by Susan Mattern | Apr 6, 2019 | Atheist, Death, Life
I read a letter from a mom in a column in the newspaper the other day. Her five-year-old daughter was very worried about death and was staying awake nights worrying about it. Her mom didn’t know what to tell the girl. As an atheist, I probably worry about death more...
by Susan Mattern | Apr 2, 2019 | Life, Music, Piano
I’m a classical pianist. But I’ve always been envious of other musicians. Almost every member of the orchestra gets to carry his own special instrument and perform on it. Flutes, clarinets, guitars, cellos, violas, piccolos, French horns. People in bands get to march...
by Susan Mattern | Feb 17, 2019 | Complaining, Life, Travel
“What! They seated us on the wrong side of the train! We wanted an ocean view. Find another seat for us!” The middle-aged lady and her teenage daughter were sitting on the other side of the aisle from my daughter-in-law and me. We were taking the Coast...
