College

On By scottpetersenIn Augustana College, CollegeLeave a comment

[A repeat from May 17, 2018] When I was 16, well into my senior year of high school, I went to see my guidance counselor – Floyd Hillman.  Mr. Hillman told me (the words are etched in my brain) “I think I can get you a job as an assistant plumber.”  I sat.  And wanted to cry.  An honorable profession.  But I didn’t want to be an assistant plumber.  I left his office.  Sad about my impending future.  But some of my friends talked about “college.”  College sounded pretty good. 

My father dropped out of high school and my mother never went to college.  So we never talked much about college at home.  I would finish high school and then go to work.  Even so, I mentioned “college” to my father.  “College?” he said.  “The only guy I know who went to college is Bill Swanson.”  He looked at me.  “You wanna talk to him??”  I nodded.

So we went to see Mr. Swanson.  He said “I went to Augustana College.  Maybe I could get you an interview.”  My dad said “you want that?” and I nodded. . . . not entirely sure what that meant.  My parents and I drove out to Rock Island, Illinois — home of Augustana College — and I had an interview with Mr. Henning, the Director of Admissions.  It was April or May — around the time of high school graduation.  Mr. Henning said that the class had been full for several months.  And my grades were not great (my parents both worked and I rarely studied).  But he liked that I was an Eagle Scout.  He had a couple of discretionary spots.  So he offered to admit me on academic probation.  If I didn’t have a “C” average first semester, I was out.  So I signed on.  A few months later, I was in college.  My first semester – of 6 courses, I had 5 “C’s” and one “B” (in swimming).  I was in.  The second youngest freshman in my class (because I’d skipped 2d grade).

This fall, I will have my 50th reunion.   I owe Augustana College for taking a flyer on a just turned 17 year old kid with mediocre grades.  I was given a chance.   It will be good to be back.  See old friends.  My fraternity brothers.  And visit. . . my college.      

“There is no God”

On By scottpetersenIn Pascal's Wager2 Comments

[In this holy season of Christmas and Hanukkah, a refresher from November 15, 2018] I was disappointed to hear that Dr. Stephen Hawking – in one of his final statements – declared “there is no God.” Too bad he didn’t take a cue from one of his predecessors in science — Albert Einstein.

Einstein, born Jewish and somewhat pantheistic in later life, was once asked by a student if God existed. Einstein responded “What percent of the total knowledge of the universe do you suppose we as humans now possess?” The student thought – and speculated around two percent. To which Einstein replied “Now tell me – what are the possibilities that God exists in the other 98%?”

Parents are normally wiser than their children in making decisions. A child may want to eat only chocolate cupcakes for each meal – yet the parent knows better. What’s to say that we as adults don’t have a grander force that “knows better?” I am reminded of the continuous thread in the Bible that the wisdom of man is folly with God (see e.g. I Corinthians 3:19).

In 1660, Blaise Pascal offered “Pascal’s Wager” on belief. 
If you believe in God and there is no God – no problem
If you don’t believe in God and there is no God – no problem.
If you believe in God and God exists – peace now and eternal
If you don’t believe in God and God exists – big problem. . . . .

Sir Isaac Newton summed it up – “In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.”  For me, I just open my eyes in the morning.  And I think Wow. . . . . 

Solving Cold Cases

On By scottpetersenIn Locard's Exchange PrincipleLeave a comment

On September 24, 2017, I posted on Locard’s Exchange Principle. A crime. No leads. Police and investigators pick through the scene. Ask questions. Examine the scene again.  Look.  Study.  Listen.  Sniff.  Search. And solve. Often thanks to Dr. Edmond Locard (1877-1966) – a pioneer in forensic science.  Dr. Locard (known as the French Sherlock Holmes) developed a basic principle of forensics that “every contact leaves a trace.”  Writer Paul Kirk in 1953 described Locard’s Exchange Principle as: “Wherever he steps [or] whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, will serve as a silent witness against him. . . . .”  In other words, the occasion of every crime – leaves behind traces of the criminal.  And thus a means for solving the case. Well, Mister Locard must have been clairvoyant. Today, DNA testing sites like Ancestry, 23andMe and others – are giving police an immediate narrowing of suspects in decades-old cases to family members who have contributed their DNA for research. And cold cases are being solved . . . .

Locard’s Exchange Principle also applies to life in general.  As we wander through our daily lives, wherever we walk, stand, sit or set foot, we leave behind a part of us.  Even our DNA. Whoever we talk to, cross paths with or acknowledge, we leave a trace.   Of our presence.  The trace can be positive or negative.  A sharing of concern, love or sympathy.  Or it might be anger, distraction or inattention.  But as we move on this journey, whether we like it or not, there is a forensic trail.  That bears witness.   The traces we leave behind as we shuffle from one day to the next may not mean much to us.  But they could mean everything to someone else.   

Mother Teresa once said “Kind words can be short and easy to speak.  But their echoes are truly endless.”  Actions leave echoes too.  And attitudes.  What traces are you leaving behind? Not just DNA I hope. . . . .        

The Rosetta Stone

On By scottpetersenIn Rosetta StoneLeave a comment

[Given Egypt’s recent demand for its return, this is a repeat from 6/23/2019] From before the fall of the Roman Empire (408 A.D.) until 1799, no one was able to decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.  On July 15, 1799, that mystery of language changed.  Soldiers in Napoleon’s army while rebuilding a fort near the Egyptian port city of el-Rashid, stumbled across a stone marker made of black granite.  What made this marker unique was that it had writing on it — in 2 languages but in 3 scripts:  ancient Greek, Egyptian Demotic script and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. 

Viewed as a curiosity by the French, it was promptly acquired by the British in 1801 when the British defeated the French in Egypt.  And the Rosetta Stone has been in the British Museum since 1802 [where it should remain].   Over the course of the next 25 years, the Rosetta Stone was translated – and the secrets of (and “key” to) Egyptian hieroglyphs were revealed. 

The Rosetta Stone was carved around 196 B.C. during the reign of Ptolemy V.  It is called the “Rosetta” Stone because that is the town where it was found — Rosetta (Rashid).  The Rosetta Stone stands as one of the most amazing “finds” in world history.  Today, if someone uses the term, it will most likely refer to a “key” (“The spectrum of hydrogen atoms has proven to be the Rosetta Stone of modern physics. . . “).  Someone ought to write a book about it.  Or at least a blog post. . . . .  

True Confessions

On By scottpetersenIn Lessons in Life, True ConfessionsLeave a comment

(A longer than usual repeat from 8/16/2011 and 2/9/17 – which still chokes me up)  Shortly after passing the Illinois bar exam, Donna and I flew to Portland, Oregon, to visit my aunt and uncle and their family. One weekend, we rented a car and drove south into the hinterlands of Oregon.

Upon leaving a small town, I saw birds on the road ahead. I announced to Donna in my best John Wayne voice “watch this” and I stomped on the accelerator. The car sped up 80, 90, 100 . . . Donna is shouting at me to slow down but – hey – I’m 25 and macho. As I approached the birds, they looked up and casually flew off. I rocketed over the carrion they’d been chewing on (“Guess I showed them“). About that time, I looked in the rear view mirror and was surprised to see a car behind us. A police car. #&X@*! I pulled over and stopped. And got a ticket. 108 in a 65 zone. #&X@*!

The bad thing was that I was to appear in court at a time I was to appear before the Character & Fitness Committee of the Illinois Bar (“sorry fellows – I have a court date“). Donna was silent.  Stewing.  At the next town, I stopped. The judge’s name was on the ticket.  So I . . . called the local police station from a pay phone:

Scott: Hello? Officer, I’m trying to reach Judge ____ . Can you call him and ask him to please call me?

Officer: It’s Sunday.

Scott: I know but it’s important (I gave him the pay phone number).

Officer: I’ll see (Click).

I waited for 30 minutes. Sitting on the concrete floor of the phone booth. The sun was setting. Quiet. Birds chirping their evening hymns. Then the pay phone rang.

Scott: This is Scott Petersen (I figured that was better than “hullo”).

Judge: This is Judge ___ . You wanted me to call (sounds of splashing and children in the background)

Scott: Your Honor, I’m from Chicago. I (explained how I had) just graduated from law school and passed the bar. I was just pulled over by two officers for speeding – 108 in a 65 zone. I am guilty.  But I am supposed to appear in court and I am also supposed to appear before the Character & Fitness Committee of the Bar at that time. I was wondering. . . .

Judge: Just a minute (long silence). All right, Mister Petersen. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. “I promise that I will never speed again.”

Scott: I will never speed again.

Judge: I want you to promise. I want you to swear to me. . .

Scott: (I raised my hand in the phone booth) I swear. . . I swear. . . I will never speed again.

Judge: Send me your ticket. Mark it “personal.” Remember Mister Petersen – you promised me. (Click)  It was a not guilty over the phone.  No fine.

The Judge could have said “tough kid – you show up or else.” But he didn’t. The lesson therefore became all the more powerful.  Seriously.  And since then, I have never taken a car much beyond the speed limit. When tempted, I am always tugged back to a fall day in 1972. . . . when I made a promise. . . .

Leadership

On By scottpetersenIn TED TalksLeave a comment

I watched an inspiring TED Talk by Bob Davids titled “The Rarest Commodity is Leadership Without Ego” (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQrPVmcgJJk ) Mr. Davids discussed why there is a difference between Leadership – and Management.

Management relates to the interaction off three things: quality, time and money. When you sacrifice one of those three – the others suffer. Quality products or services is a goal of many companies. Investment in time and money is the price to be paid for quality. But leadership he said is a rare commodity on our planet. Because leaders – lead people. Dwight D. Eisenhower said that the art of leadership is getting someone to do what you want done because he wants to do it.

Mr. Davids then referenced Robert Townsend’s classic work Up the Organization – first published in 1970. Bob Townsend was the CEO of Avis – who led his company up the ladder to “number two.” Up the Organization has for the last fifty years been number one on the Wharton School of Business “must read” list. I still have my heavily-underlined copy from 1970. And I’m now reading it again. It’s never too late. . . .

The Lincoln Curtain

On By scottpetersenIn Abraham Lincoln curtainLeave a comment

On or about January 30, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was getting ready for his trip to Washington — to become the 16th President of the United States of America. He and Mary would leave their home at Eight and Jackson Streets in Springfield destined for a new life in the White House. In anticipation of this transition, the Lincolns held a yard sale of furniture, china, stoves, carpets and other belongings which they couldn’t take to Washington.

Harry Wilton, a neighbor and local United States Marshall, bought an assortment of the Lincoln’s possessions. Included in the lot was a magnificent 96 inch burgundy curtain – stitched with gold thread. This drape had hung in the parlor on the first floor. The Wilton family retained ownership of the curtain until 1933 when Dr. Charles Olsen purchased the drapery at Chicago’s Century of Progress. Dr. Olsen was noted for his magnificent – and complete – collection of original letters and documents of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

On February 18, 1984, I acquired this magnificent historical item from Dr. Olsen’s daughter. And months later, I donated the item to the Lincoln Home Historic Site – along with the original letters detailing the provenance of the drapery. In the 120 years between the yard sale and my acquisition, the curtain had been torn in one corner. So I snipped off a piece – which I still have. Along with copies of the letters of provenance. Much like an original letter signed by Abraham Lincoln, it’s very special to know that Number 16 probably handled this curtain with frequency (“Hey Mary – mind if I open the curtains . . . . “).

Thanksgiving

On By scottpetersenIn Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is an attitude1 Comment

In my post of November 11, 2011, I mentioned an occasion when I was asked by a friend “what is your favorite day?”  I replied “Thanksgiving.”   It’s a long weekend.  Family time.  Great food (stuffing – my favorite).  The Detroit Lions on t.v. (this year versus the Buffalo Bills).  And Christmas is on the way.   Christmas??  YIKES!!  So I asked my friend his favorite day.  “December 21st” he responded.  The day of the winter solstice — when the days begin to get longer.  I can relate. . . . .     

Well, it’s another November.   Eleven years later.  Wow!  The days are often slow.  And arduous.  But the years go quickly.  Faster it seems every year.    

I hope that Thanksgiving is a favorite day for you.  But Thanksgiving is more than just a day.  It can be an attitude as well.  An every day attitude.  Of gratitude.   My best wishes to you for a wonderful, happy and blessed Thanksgiving weekend.   

Our Neighbor’s Faith

On By scottpetersenIn Our Neighbor's FaithLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 14, 2013] When Donna and I joined a Lutheran Church in Northfield in 1977, the Pastor asked if I would help lead the Adult Forum for the coming year (which up to that point had been a Bible study – averaging a few people each Sunday).  I reluctantly agreed — on the condition that I decide on the program for the year.  The Pastor reluctantly agreed on the condition that he know what kind of program I contemplated.

So I picked a topic.  For the ensuing September – May, the Adult Forum series of our Church was titled “Our Neighbor’s Faith.”  Each week (or two) we would focus on a different faith traditions.  I brought in two Mormon couples, a Jewish rabbi, a Jesuit priest, two Jehovah’s Witnesses couples, a Salvation Army officer and so on.  All – coming in to tell us about their religious beliefs. 

By the time the year ended, average weekly attendance zoomed to 30 to 40 people.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses (I still have an audiotape – somewhere) drew more than 50.  Talk about interesting!  An abbondonza of questions, comments and and pointed observations.   For one group of visitors, I had to gently draw the line between proselytizing and informing.  I declined to take on the responsibility the following year (it was exhausting!) so the Church recruited a professor from the Lutheran School of Theology to lead the Adult Forum for the year.   I guess “Our Neighbor’s Faith” was a tough act to follow.  🙂    I continue to be interested (“fascinated” is probably a better word) in religion.  I have previously posted (January 30, 2012) on how the Archangel Gabriel has ministered to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Mormons and Bahai.   The uber messenger.   To all of the children of Abraham.  Yet religion continues to unite — and divide — so many of us. 

Make Your Bed

On By scottpetersenIn Admiral William H. McRaven, Make Your BedLeave a comment

[A repeat from April 20, 2017] I read a Wall Street Journal review of a new book — Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven.  Then I saw Admiral McRaven interviewed on television about his new book.  Which prompted me to check the Amazon reviews.  94% of readers give his book 5 stars.  Pretty impressive.  The book quickly became a best seller.  I figured if the book is so good, I gotta have one.  And maybe a few more to pass around.  So I ordered three copies.  And read one.  Gave away two.  Today, I just ordered four more copies. To give away. . . .  

In 125 pages, Admiral McRaven shares with readers the “little things that can change your life . . . . and maybe the world.”  

Admiral McRaven’s book is based upon a commencement address he delivered to the University of Texas in 2014.  If you want to watch an inspiring 19 minute call to action – check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70   

I don’t need to distill Admiral McRaven’s offering for you since if you get this book – you will be able to read it in a few hours.  At least you can get an idea if you invest 19 minutes to watch the video.  Is it worth it?  Yes.  Is it inspiring?  Yes.   Will it help you to change the world?   I believe it could.  But the “change” part is really up to you. . . .