My two neighbors and I spent the latter part of our Saturday night sitting outside my apartment under the big oak tree philosophizing about the world. It had been sometime since I'd participated in a healthy debate about something that involved the greater good, and not whether Bill or Kwame would be Donald Trump's new Apprentice.

We talked about spirituality, purpose, passion, robotics and other such various facets of life and it reminded me of similar late night talks I would have with friends and fellow students at Temple. After graduating, such talk all but ceased, unless we were in a drunken stupor and felt the need to save the world in our inebriated state. Thankfully, all were sane and sober last night.

A recent article in Time magazine sparked the idea for me to engage in greater discourse more often. Chris, Stephanie and I have such varied backgrounds and focuses in life that we all brought a different outlook to the conversation.

I hope to plan more neighborly events where we can engage in such talk again. What a wonderful mental exercise and a gentle reminder that we're all but minute matter in this amazing world.