Deep Something

Rehearsing Virtue in Small Daily Acts

October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 B. John 270 Views 0 Comments Massimo Pigliucci, Tampa, virtue, compassion, daily practice, empathy, The Portico, Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca

This entry is part 43 of 50 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

At The Portico café in downtown Tampa, I paused my work to sit with a man who had just been released from prison. He was unsure what to do next. I offered coffee, listened, and waited until the manager returned to connect him with help. It wasn’t a big deal, but later, I realized how much peace there can be in simply giving someone attention for a few minutes.

In the past, I invited my widowed neighbor to join my husband and me for our usual Taco Tuesday after she told me her daughter had been declared cancer-free. She later said how much the evening meant to her. Those simple moments, one with a stranger, one with a friend, reminded me that compassion is a practice. The Stoics taught that virtue is built not in theory but in repetition, through the small choices that make us steady and kind.

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My Take on Tampa’s No Kings Day Protest

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 B. John 963 Views 0 Comments Trump, Protest, Tampa, MAGA, No Kings, March

On June?14, 2025, Tampa’s “No Kings Day” protest unfolded under blue skies outside City Hall. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people participated, joined by coordinated protests across Tampa Bay—ranging from Largo to St.?Petersburg—where similar crowds gathered. And here is my take. I saw proof: when people stand together, young and old, across every background, authoritarian theatrics shrink. It gave me hope. Tampa spoke with its numbers and its unity. And for me, that was worth the energy, bearing the heat, being there with them. In short, I think we had a lot more energy than the Birthday Parade in D.C.

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Resuming Rants

September 26, 2023 B. John 1125 Views 0 Comments Idalia, Tampa, Cafe Con Tampa, Kings Mountain

There was a brief restaurant review posted earlier this year. The last post before that was a movie review (The Whale). A lot has transpired in my world over the past few months, and I think I am ready to get back to trying to post more or less regularly. The highlight reel looks a bit like this:

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The Weather in Tampa Today 09-10-2018

October 10, 2018 B. John 1359 Views 0 Comments Hurricane Michael, Tampa, National Hurricane Center

Right this minute, at 5:15 PM we’re getting a pretty good downpour that started about 10 minutes ago. According to

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Convention Poll

September 9, 2012September 8, 2012 B. John 358 Views 0 Comments republican, Security, Charlotte, Democrat, Convention, Armed Camp, Tampa

The professional pundits had more than enough analysis of how the respective 2012 political conventions went. Obviously we hosted the Republicans here in Tampa, and it would have been fine with me if they’d stayed home. I will write more about all that later this week. It was a disaster for downtown Tampa businesses, and the security was simply over the top. But for now, we’re posting a quick poll for you.

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Trying to Make A Little Change

October 25, 2010August 10, 2015 704 Views 0 Comments bigotry, Palma Ceia, United Methodist, Administrative Council, Suicide, Teens, Tampa, homophobia

two Sunday’s ago, I was teaching my Sunday School class (as I’ve done a number of times), and took a few minutes at the end of the class to deliver the following statement. I have been amazed at the outpouring of concern and support, and a number of them are willing to attend the Council meeting with me in November. I will reintroduce the resolution leaving out the section about trying reasonably to deal only with other organizations with similar statements. The council members previously used this as their primary objection.

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Daily Ramblings – July 1, 2009

July 1, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 433 Views 0 Comments Tampa, Pigs, rain, court, Traffic, Murder, Sheriff, Baby, Lawyers, McTear, Bedwell, Frivilous Law Suits

From yesterday, we’ve got a “pig” traffic tie up out in Pasco County, and today we’ve got rain, rain, and more rain, and do you know what one calls 1,000 lawyers on the bottom of the ocean?

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A Resolution on Social Justice for My Methodist Church

June 24, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 1334 Views 1 Comment Palma Ceia United Methodist Church, Sexual Orientation, Social Justice, Tampa, Homosexuality, Race, Racism, Non-discrimination

I have prepared a resolution on social justice to be introduced at the next meeting of the Administrative Board of Palma Ceia United Methodist Church here in Tampa. It will create an inclusive statement of non-discrimination. However, it goes a bit further. In an on-line conversation I had with a new acquaintance, he made a statement that caught my interest. He said, “People don’t have to pay a price for discrimination against gay people.” I believe this is a true statement. You can’t really change how people feel, but you can change how they behave in public through laws and through action. People who make racists statements pay a price. If they are business owner, they may be boycotted by people who don’t beleive in racism. At work, they may be ostricized, and it can affect their potential opportunities. But for the most part, people don’t pay a price for discriminating against homosexuals. My resolution requires the church to put its money where its mouth is.

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A Fare Fair Weekend

February 20, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 376 Views Tampa, Movies, Birthdays, Family, Food, State Fair, Weekend, fun, Friends

While I posted movie reviews (Date Movie, The Pink Panther), there has not been much else posted lately. I had a pretty bad couple of days related to work and my profession at the end of last week. I have also been busy with work, and the social calendar has been pretty full.

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Sunday Afternoon Update — Wilma

October 23, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 367 Views tropical, update, hurricane, wind, florida, winds, Tampa, wilma, afternoon, fl, rain, storm, sunday

It is amazingly quiet here today. As of 4pm there is no wind, and while it has been overcast all day, we have yet to have even a drop of rain.

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Wilma Update — Saturday

October 22, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 394 Views hurricane, florida, NOAA, Tampa, Weather, wilma

I thought I would provide an update on Hurricane Wilma based on the most recent NOAA information. How much impact there is on Tampa remains a bit uncertain. Not unusually, with about two days to go before landfall, the “cone of uncertainty” is still a bit large.