“Little Things Mean a Lot” was a very popular hit song that made it to the number one spot on the charts in the USA and the UK in 1954. Subsequently, many other recording artists have released their versions of this song. While it has nice lyrics and a lovely tune, the title really says it all. In life, we often look for the big events or the very significant occurrences that make a big splash or great impact. And yet, it is the little things that we do daily that cement and enhance relationships.

Actions in the UN last week forced discussions about a future Palestine.  Since Palestinian president Abbas made his request, five EU nations, including France, have pushed to “upgrade” Palestinian territories to “full-membership” in the UN.   Three other EU nations have joined the UK and U.S.

Professor Richard Dawkins is well known for his philosophical conjecture that life came into existence by chance evolutionary processes.  As a scientist, Dr. Dawkins prefers to lecture on philosophy, ridiculing people for their “irrational” belief in God.  He usually “… declines to talk in San Francisco and New York; these cities are too gloriously godless, as far as he is concerned.  ‘As an atheistic lecturer, you are rather wasting your time,’ he says.  He prefers the Bible Belt, where controversy is raw.”

“Wanted: Someone to walk with me”. This want ad appeared in a Ohio newspaper a few years ago. When I read it, I assumed it was a joke, and I made an inquiry. What I found was an old person wanting someone to take him for a walk—not because he needed physical help, but because he was afraid.

Are the “Dark Ages” creeping up on Europe once again? The news and opinion pages are full of dire headlines. Some are taking the demise of a unified Europe as an impending inevitability. But is that really what comes next? Or is there more to the story?