Coffee Musings

I’m thinking now as I write this about how much technology has shaped our society and our lives… and it just astounds me. I’ve been enjoying coffee much more often in the morning, indulging into my self-perceived guilty pleasure. I absolutely love the taste of coffee, but I’ve always been hesitant to join the caffeine dead—those who cannot function in the morning without their morning cup of joe. Because of this I actually try to restrict my coffee consumption to the weekends and avoid drinking it during the week—the opposite of most people (I’m a weirdo I know). 

Anyway, I thought this morning about how much more knowledgeable people are about coffee since the blossoming of the internet. When I was growing up in the 90’s, my aunt was a big coffee drinker. When I spent time with her I was exposed to the love people have for the black drink—my parents didn’t drink coffee at home. And I just wonder how the collective knowledge about coffee has changed. I’m sure just as many people enjoyed their coffee fix in 1994. But did they know as much about it? How did people learn about it—through hearsay, through (gasp) books?

Nowadays, when someone wants to buy a coffee maker for instance, they’re met with a plethora of options online—Keurigs and French presses and espresso machines and traditional coffee makers. There’s so many ways to prepare it, so many different variations, it can be overwhelming. Has our collective coffee drinking experience grown, because of the increased dissemination of information due to the internet? Probably, right?

I think this increased collective knowledge is true for basically every aspect of our society, not just coffee. The average person knows more about a lot more things, because knowledge is so widespread and easy to access. We have computers in our pockets and on our wrists that are more advanced than those used to send the first astronauts to the moon. We have this incredible encyclopedic, continually-evolving database of network connections we call the internet. This technology makes our lives easier, more convenient, and safer. But is it starting to control us? Is it beginning to dictate how we live our lives? Are we putting the full application of this incredible technology to its absolute best use? It’s critical we routinely ask ourselves these questions, so that we remain in control of how we design our life experience. There are no easy answers. I think I’ll go have another coffee, perhaps the caffeine injection will help provide some answers..

Nature’s Nurturing

Blue skies back in California. It really does feel like a whole new world. We have an amazing planet, and the environment drastically impacts how we perceive our life experience. Fresh clean air, riveting skies and the bright light from the sun. Let’s not squander it. Let’s ensure our children’s children get to enjoy the same beautiful world. What can you do to help?

Accepting the Nature of Change

I write about change often, weekly at least. I try to reinforce that change takes work and effort and diligence and courage and blood and sweat and tears. Change can feel insignificant or nonexistent because it happens so slowly. But if we look at it from a bigger picture, change has been accomplished. The world is better than it was before. We still have much progress to make, and some existential threats to boot. But virtually no one on this planet believes slavery is okay any more. Education and healthcare for the average person are improving worldwide and inching toward becoming basic, fundamental human rights. A pandemic that has ravaged the globe has killed less than a million people—200 years ago it may have killed half the population. Change is hard and slow and elusive and simply work. Okay, fine. History shows that. So: knowing and accepting this—where are you?

Tricky Time

The days pass slowly and the weeks go by so fast. When you stop and appreciate how much time has elapsed it can really be staggering. It strongly encourages you, upon reflecting, to exist in the present. Cherish every goodbye for the luxury of having that experience. Time is tricky. In some ways, it’s much easier to just be present in this one big beautiful amazing world. 

Feel the Rhythm

I think of the well known figures of history, those who made a mark upon the world. Folks like Laozi and Amelia Earhart... Marie Curie, Marcus Aurelius, and Emmeline Pankhurst.. Siddhartha Gotama and Michelangelo and Cleopatra. They were all a bit strange. Great learning may be required to enact great change, but so is one’s conviction in her or his own rhythm. We can be tolerant of others and welcoming of diversity, but contribution comes from boldness in personal expression. When we act from within our true selves, with awareness and earnest, we can offer value to the world. What better way to go to rest at the end of life, knowing you have volunteered your truest and best donation. 

Movement Decisions

In some sense we are always in a time of transition. Even empty space has particle and virtual particle pairs zooming around. But we only have so much movement in us. What direction will we go?

Focusing on Focus

Have we forgotten? It’s only a day later. One of the most dangerous aspects of our current society is our collective attention span—or a lack thereof. It takes effort to change it.

Over the past week, after a nice fun long Labor Day weekend, I’ve gotten sucked back into my phone. I’ve been consuming the news consistently throughout the day. I’ve been telling myself, every day, that I need to pull myself back out. It’s not easy. Concentrated effort isn’t fun. But it’s necessary. For the sake of our collective prosperity, it must be done.

And we can do it. We can choose to value what matters. It’s not necessarily easy, but it’s pretty simple. Let’s follow that clear path. 

Anniversary Motivation

Today is always a somber day, the anniversary of one of the most negatively monumental days in history. This year though it brings a small inkling of hope. It serves as a reminder that we are all Americans. We may think differently politically, we may disagree about nearly everything under the sun, but there are a few core beliefs we all should hold: that this is a free country, that democracy is the fairest form of government thus far conceived but also a work in progress, that we are all human, that we are one. Never forget. But also, let today’s anniversary continue to push us to strive for better. Let’s live up to our ideals. Let’s change the world for the better. We are one. 

Through the Gloom

On much of the Pacific seaboard the smoke from dozens of fires has made the days dreary and foreboding. It’s almost a sign of the times. But climate change doesn’t get much attention when political controversies, economic crises, and social unrest abound. We have increased our power to the extent we are affecting this magnificent planet, this one big beautiful amazing world we inhabit. Is there a unifying thread that connects the solutions to these problems? Is it global consciousness? Is it uniting humanity? Is it an expanded paradigm or worldview? What will it be humanity... what will be become, what will come out as... through the gloom. 

2020 Gifts

Perhaps 2020 is teaching us how to citizen, or at least why it’s important. With our technological capability the average person is much more aware of the problems of the world. In order for us to solve these problems, we can no longer idly stand by. We can no longer avoid putting in any real effort. If we want change, it will require work. We must act. Voting is a great start; let’s get our voting participation above 90%. But it’s not enough. It will take ardent, sustained effort. With that same technology that has increased our awareness, we can change the world. Global consciousness is about to be here. Will we use it to unite humanity? To do so, we must become aware, then interested, then willing. Perhaps 2020 is starting us down that path. 

Mountain Views

Just keep swimming. Good. No one cares, work harder. Is it really that bad? There are many philosophies to try out when things aren’t going well. Take your pick and roll with it. My favorite? Gratitude. Just getting back to how much you can be thankful for. We enjoy a lifestyle that’s the result of years of work and sacrifice by others. Enjoy the view from the top of the mountain—it’s not perfect, but it is pretty wonderful. It’s on us to make it even better. 

Labor Gratitude

I spent Labor Day weekend at a lake enjoying the beautiful planet we call home. With everything going on in the country right now it felt good to get away and take a break. But it’s also important to recognize the labor of those who came before us, who built the foundations of the society we currently live in. We have some serious problems right now, but what we have achieved could not be possible without the contributions of innumerable others. It is our duty now to make it through these tough times, to make the world better for those who will come after us. Thank you to those working through this pandemic who are already making the world better, making these times a little less tough. Happy Labor Day.  

Perspective Thoughts

Where are we with our perspective? I’ve learned so much in the past 48 hours. As I should. Who is not learning, who can tell me how to do this or that? I write about perspective frequently.  Sometimes that means being a little uncomfortable. That is, dare I say, a necessary part of our collective existence. 

Born from Fire

Gosh these are interesting times we’re living in. Do you ever think the same thing to yourself? I really do believe our collective awareness is increasing. We are more cognizant of other peoples’ struggles because we ourselves are struggling. We can better relate to others’ plight because we see everyone facing similar challenges. And at the same time, we can better celebrate the simple pleasures in life. Mundane things like going outside aren’t so dull anymore. Hugging your family isn’t taken for granted so easily. We didn’t choose these circumstances, but we have to make the best of them. And we are, we’re getting there. We’ll keep fighting and striving, because that’s the basis of the human spirit, and life will continue to get better. Our current circumstances can lead to an empathetic revolution. By developing global consciousness, we can unite humanity and inspire change. It all starts with recognizing it’s one world.

Paradigm Diversity

It’s amazing how much our mindset affects our opinions and life experience. For my work I talk to people from all over the United States, and you can just feel the differences in perspective. The climate and geography affects how we view the world. Our regional economies pull on our beliefs for what is possible. And the people we surround ourselves with generate a momentum that influences our lives.  Even the day of the week imprints on our daily psychology—why do we feel better on Friday’s?

We are working toward a better global support system. With criminal justice reform, with improved education and more accessible healthcare, the living conditions of billions around the planet will improve. It takes a lot of work to make it happen. But it also requires an understanding of the sheer diversity in perspective that exists out there. Traditional “barriers” such as language, culture and time zone prevail, but in order to unlock them we first must be aware of the fundamental differences in our life experience. When we strive to understand each other’s center, we will realize how deep our connection truly is. Through empathy and awareness, we can change the world. 

Pandemic Service

I came across some great advice the other day: “Ask yourself what those you love need from you now.” I find this particularly pertinent during the ongoing pandemic. What can you do for your partner to make their life easier during these stressful times? How can you help out your family members, your friends who are struggling? This is a great thought exercise that can lead to a service mindset. Because after all, isn’t that our purpose here on this Earth, to make our mark? How better to accomplish that than to serve?

Life is a Balance Beam

I had this daydream this morning of traveling on a public long-distance bus in China. In the vision, there was a misunderstanding and all the other passengers became angry with me and kicked me off the bus—they didn’t let me take any of my possessions and just dropped me off on the side of the road in some nameless gargantuan Chinese city. Hey, it was a dream okay? Anyway, in the dream I was upset because I had been wronged. I would probably never see my bag full of stuff again! I only had my phone and wallet on me! But then I realized, upon snapping out of it, that such an experience would be a wonderful adventure. Many times we become upset because of a lack of control. When we feel powerless, the situation becomes frustrating and bleak. When appropriate, how much more adventure would we experience if we just let go and went along for the ride… if we allowed ourselves to be swept off in the stream of life’s magical experiences? There’s such a fine balance in life: on the one hand, we are ethereal beings in this moment that have the ability to do good, to contribute to the organization of the universe. And on the other hand, we are basic creatures inhabiting a mystical universe, blessed with the capacity to indulge in the simple amazing experience of being alive, and revel in the sensations of the ride of life. There doesn’t appear to be a specific answer to maintaining the ultimate balance, but we’ll sure as hell enjoy our lives more if we are comfortable in our choice, whichever side we lean towards. Life is a balance beam, and while we’re practicing, we will sometimes fall. Be sure to fall on both sides, to gift yourself the pleasure of both.

The Path Before Us

It’s already September 1st. What a year it’s been. I wonder if collectively we have experienced the most shared mind space in the history of our species. With our technology and the global pandemic and economic catastrophe, we’re certainly up there. Unfortunately that shared mind space is mostly negative. However mind space it is. Whatever the other consequences, we have begun to become more globally aware more consistently. This global consciousness can be a good thing for our civilization. If we can maintain it, we will naturally start to unify. This resulting synthesis will make us more empathetic of our brothers and sisters, more understanding of our minor differences, and more willing to help each other solve our major problems. It will inspire change. Raise Global Consciousness. Unite Humanity. Inspire Change. That is our path forward. Onward.

A Way to Think about the Bigger Picture

What is looking at the bigger picture? It’s recognizing that you are temporary, and that your conduct affects what comes after you. When we act with integrity, we actively bring about a better world for those in the future. Whatever advantages we personally accrue throughout the course of our lives vanish upon death. However, the favorable conditions we harvest for the world, for others, will last. They will continue to work in favor of those alive after we are gone. That’s the bigger picture. It’s honest work, responsibility, respect, and resolve. Do you behave within the narrow-minded perspective of personal prosperity no matter the cost? Or are you living for something greater?

Levers of Incentive

The whole point of democracy is to create a governing system with inherent checks and balances so elected officials do not succumb to the addicting temptations of money and power. Democracy is designed to ensure accurate representation of constituents’ needs and desires.

If one accepts these 2 statements at face value, one can see the allure of considering modifications to our antiquated, often ambiguous 244 year old design. Incentivization is how we maintain governance that truly works for the people. If we create sound incentives, elected officials will serve their true purpose.

To maintain a healthy and effective democracy, it’s important to examine the incentive structure within our government. Taking an honest look will bring up hard questions, but if we face them head on, we can build a system that works for all, one that promotes freedom, fairness, and prosperity. 

Some concepts we can review: campaign finance—what should be allowed when politicians seek election? How much influence do the wealthy hold over current political campaigns? Are there basic rules that can ensure political campaigns are free from influence? Congressional terms—Should the same person be allowed to serve in government for 50 years? (Should there be a limit on the number of terms one can serve?) What work schedule and salary/benefit structure is appropriate for a congressional representative? What salary range will motivate someone to run for public office with the purpose of serving the people? Is a 2 year term for a member of the House too short? (Are representatives constantly seeking re-election instead of getting work done?). Performance accountability—How can we hold politicians to their campaign promises? Would a bonus structure incentivize the accomplishment of key objectives? How bills become laws—Is there a way to ensure bills fundamentally address one issue at a time? Is there a way to incentivize the debating of a bill without negotiating addendums or quid pro quo? The election process and voting systems—Are there changes we can make to our voting process that will eliminate the 2 party system? Are those changes reasonable? Is there a way to make voting more accessible yet also keep it safe? Would making voting day a national holiday significantly increase voter turnout?

People are not perfect. But they don’t have to be. That’s the whole purpose of creating a government system that incentivizes officials to work hard, truly represent their constituents, and achieve success through public accomplishment, not wealth or prestige. We are capable of producing such a system. And we don’t have to tear the current one down to do it. We just have to carefully and honestly review the levers of incentive that are built into the current governmental framework, and make simple modifications where deemed necessary. Protecting our democracy and its institutions might not be easy, but it also doesn’t have to be complicated. Governance is a human creation. We can improve it. Besides, regardless of its feasibility, it is our responsibility as citizens. Will we rise to the challenge?