Giving and gaining, welcome citizens, unhappy pilots, orchestra strike

Giving and gaining

Giving to others gives us more — that’s the lesson I’ve learned in retirement.

In an often “seek more, get more” world, it can feel good to achieve success as outwardly defined. And for most of us, it takes a long, long time to get there.

But in giving to others, without ego or desire to get anything in return, we can often warm our own hearts and souls and boost our smiles in ways unimaginable and much more profound than always trying to achieve the next target or make the next deal.

At this time of giving thanks for what we have, we also have an opportunity to re-connect with all those around us who have less and need more.

We can give money, give time, and maybe best of all, just give of our own humanness.

In doing so, our own lives become brighter.

Welcome citizens

May this letter serve to send a great big Fort Worth “Welcome” to our newest United States citizens, naturalized Monday at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

The Fort Worth arts community’s collaboration with U.S. and local officials in executing a meaningful ceremony is to be commended.

Thank you to the Amon Carter Museum for hosting the naturalization ceremony and inviting the participants to explore this treasure of a museum (including its permanent collection and Border Cantos exhibit).

Thank you, also, to national anthem singer, the Fort Worth Opera’s Wesley Gentle, and to the Symphony Musicians of Fort Worth who played God Bless America.

May our rich local music and visual and performing arts community continue to enrich each of us this holiday season and for many years to come.

Unhappy pilots

American Airlines pilots constantly complain about wages, flight schedules and uniforms. Now a report shows they are complaining about having to fly during the holidays.

This is a most dysfunctional group of whiners who make that are making over $100,000 one hundred thousands dollars per year.

I have always thought if you are unhappy with your job, or employer, go somewhere else.

So, pilots, man up and be glad you have a job where a lot of you only work several days a month.

Orchestra strike

The lack of creative action by the Fort Worth Symphony board is jeopardizing one of the most important assets of the Fort Worth community. AllL facets of the arts — the opera, ballet, Van Cliburn Competition, public music education — depend on the quality and indeed the existence of our fine symphony.

Many of us “old-timers” remember the drive back in the late 60s, led by then-Symphony League president Adrienne Reisner, who challenged everyone to give $1 to help fund the FWSO youth concerts.

Everybody caught the spirit, and it was a resounding success..

We need a “repeat sign” for that kind of cooperative creativity and can-do spirit today, already shown by the symphony musicians, who have offered to assist in the fund-raising effort, and who continue to provide musical opportunities to our community in the face of the board’s intransigence.

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Giving and gaining, welcome citizens, unhappy pilots, orchestra strike."