humility

  • Big Assumptions, Big Risks

    ByAllen Reding

    The decision to reopen schools came with a sense of urgency, as if the only way forward was to return to “normal.” But it was normal with masks, daily health checks, and a lot of uncertainty. Parents and teachers were left to balance the promises of stability with the real risks of exposure. The trade-off wasn’t just numbers on a chart—it was people’s lives and livelihoods. Thinking about the choice between online-only learning and returning to regular classes reminds me of a scenario I share with my economics classes: Assume you could put seatbelts on every new school bus produced … Read more

  • The Challenge of Not Being Foolish

    ByAllen Reding

    I am a person who likes a good challenge. Sometimes the challenges are serious and difficult like finishing college later in life, but other times they are more trivial like trying to find something at Walmart. Admitting to myself that I can’t figure diabetes out is tough, but to avoid asking for help with something so serious is arrogant and just plain foolhardy. In waking up to the changes I needed to make, the first thing I needed to do was to level with my doctor. There’s no point in relying on an expert for advice and then hobbling that … Read more

  • Clouds, Coffee, and Contentment

    ByAllen Reding

    I began my last day at sea by going out on deck to watch the sun come up over the horizon. The air was thick with a salty mist, and the ship moved ever so gently with the rhythm of the waves. On a clear day, the sunrise can be quite dramatic, a burst of fire-orange spilling across the endless blue. But this morning, the skies were far from clear. Heavy clouds hung low, casting the sea in shades of gray. A break in the wall of clouds allowed the sun to make a radiant cameo appearance before it disappeared … Read more

  • The Servant’s Heart: Gratitude in Action

    ByAllen Reding

    I was going through some photos on my computer and came across a picture I took of Kyle Field from my hotel room across the street. I remember taking it in the weeks before teachers returned to school in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The image stirred a flood of memories. At the time, it felt as if the world was holding its breath. The pandemic showed no signs of slowing, and teachers were bracing for an unprecedented return to classrooms. Uncertainty and fear loomed large. Every day, the news brought stories of otherwise healthy people fighting … Read more