By Bernard E Johnson

I’ve been thinking about happiness and why it eludes so many of us. Sometimes it seems as if Americans are programmed for unhappiness.

While it’s true that many people are enduring uncertainties in the current economic cycle, the majority of Americans are wealthy by the world’s standards. But alas, prosperity fails to deliver on happiness. The more we have, the more we want. We seldom meet the true test of happiness, which someone has described as “wanting what
we have.”

By Chere Bork

I am the only one in my family who would happily eat Brussels sprouts over exercise. Sadly, as a dietitian mom I have seen my family actually gag when I served them.

Maybe you have created healthy changes in your diet, like even learning how to eat Brussels sprouts because you heard they were good for you. Great! Scientists are saying it is becoming crystal clear that we can no longer neglect exercise to reduce our risk of the three biggies – cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

By Michael Miller

In nearly every faith tradition stories are central in passing on the convictions, values and beliefs of the faith community to future generations. The primary stories are recorded in sacred texts such as the Koran, Torah and Bible. A notable example of effective storytelling in early Christian writing is the parables of Jesus.

Crosswalk safety
is important

A few weeks ago EP was rated the No. 1 place to live by Money magazine.

In a city that has been awarded such an honor I would expect to see more courtesy and law-biding behavior on behalf of its residents. I witness, almost on a daily basis, drivers ignoring the law and not yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists as per Minnesota statute 169.21, subdivision 2.

By Bernard Johnson

I’ve been thinking about finishing well. Like some of you, I watched Dustin Johnson blow a huge lead in the final round of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. I honestly felt sorry for the man who seemed to have all the composure in the word on Saturday. He led the pack after 54 holes and seemed destined to finish in the top three or four at least! Alas, he is young and vigorous enough to live and
play another day.

By Timothy Johnson

The publication, “Lavender,” took the step recently of calling attention to the Rev. Tom Brock of Hope Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, who has been in attendance at a 12-step style Catholic chastity group organized by those who struggle with homosexuality.

By Michael Miller

By Stan Tekiela

The bond between a parent and child can and should never be underestimated. If you are a parent you don’t need further explanation. As a parent, you feel it, you know it and you live it.

There is no denying it. The overwhelming need to protect and provide for your child is what keeps the human race going. Guess what? It’s no different in the animal world. It’s just much less understood.

By Karla Bratrud and Jessie Score

By now everyone is probably aware that the petition asking the Eden Prairie School Board to revisit their K-6 facilities decision, signed by 730 people, went over like a lead balloon.

Superintendent Melissa Krull responded publicly in last week’s edition of the Eden Prairie News and in an e-mail to all district parents. Her response, titled, “Leading Transformation,” ordered parents to “move on.”

By Bernard E. Johnson

I’ve been thinking about how to make the world a better place. There are those with great vision and sometimes grandiose plans for improving the world we live in. I’m thinking there must be something more bite sized that can improve things.