Archives by: Patrick O'Connor
Patrick O'Connor
45 Posts
About the author
Blogger Patrick J. O’Connor is currently OEO (only executive officer) of the Life-Long Learning Connection (L3C) based in Kent. He is an Emeritus Professor from Kent State University with stops in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia in an education career spanning 45 years. He has authored college textbooks, the Road Less Traveled series, scholarly articles, monographs, the Think You Know America series and Meet Me at Ray's. His bachelor's and master’s degrees are from Bowling Green State University with a doctorate from Virginia Tech. His work can be viewed at LifeLLearning.com.
Patrick O'Connor Posts
A review is a good thing for people to do from time to time, regardless of age or life stage. It helps us grow and improve. Lessons learned from a review are often a good way to chart a path forward. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates ...
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Kent's Dog Days of Summer is a great example of the social side of social capital. People who otherwise might just pass each other on the street without saying a word are connected because of their pets. It’s uncanny how people warm to each other the moment a tail starts wagging. It’s something we need to celebrate—the contagious, social side of social capital. ...
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I was carrying two bikes on a bike rack in the back of our small SUV. The bike rack had served us well for many trips and this trip would be as routine as the others … or so I thought. ...
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Each community has people, organizations and elements that contribute to a social capital profile. Churches, service organizations, community groups, foundations, corporations/businesses, and individuals who share time, treasure, and talent with fellow citizens are a few examples. ...
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We were trying to enjoy the sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains from our perch in the sky when suddenly everything went silent….totally silent. All we could hear was the wind whispering as we headed downward. It turns out that if a plane descends too quickly, the carburetors freeze up, causing the engine to stall. Might this celebratory "three-hour tour" be our last? ...
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Maria exemplifies the Encore Retirement Lifestyle (ERL) and gives us a great blueprint to follow. There is considerable evidence of how important work is to us. Staying in the game in a small way has lots of advantages. For one, it creates a “soft landing” in the transition to full retirement. It also helps to keep your skill set sharp. Maria shows us how... ...
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Sue and I spent our first day or two as a married couple in Radford, Virginia. I was looking around for a nice downtown place for me and my bride to have a good, hearty, country breakfast together. What could go wrong? ...
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Retirees tend to miss two aspects of their full-time work life: a sense of purpose and the social connections work provides. Retirees can fill these voids with retirement activities that result in social capital. Social capital comes from good things good people do for others to make their communities a better place. Follow these two examples for inspiration! ...
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