United Starting Point

The path forward in the world right now is to determine what we agree on. Democrat or Republican, Black or white, old or young, Christian or atheist. What do we all support? What do we all believe in? What do we all want? How about we start with the basics: health wealth and happiness, for ourselves and those we love. Does anybody not want that? Do we not want a positive, interesting country to live in? Let’s start there. We may disagree about how to go about creating such an environment, but let’s remember that singular starting point. Across the economic spectrum, across the political aisle, across generations, across ethnicity and gender. We are one human race, one group of animals that all want the same things. Let’s remember that. Let’s unite. If we start with the most basic of common ground, we can then from there rise upward, as the United States of America. 

Storm of Change

I am disgusted by the results of the Breonna Taylor case today. If this does not elucidate the necessity for change, what will? I stand with anyone and everyone who believes in fairness, freedom, and reason. For we are all human, and what is happening is not right. Liberty and Justice for all. The time to act is now. 

Gratitude Relapse

I feel I haven’t written about gratitude in a while—maybe that indicates I haven’t been very grateful recently. But I hope my record makes clear: there is always so much for which to be thankful. Talking to people around the country, I’ve become more acutely aware of how much suffering there is out there. My life isn’t perfect right now, and I’m working toward making changes to get where I want to be, but wow.. it could always be so much worse. I could be in chronic pain. I could have a felony on my record that precludes me from employment and most options in the economy. I could be out of work in my 50’s. I’ve talked to people in those situations just today. Even those circumstances aren’t the end of the line. There’s always something that can be done. But it also goes to show how fortunate we truly are. I volunteer for an impoverished community in Africa; I don’t live in it. I’ve suffered from the smoke and fires near the Bay Area—but my home wasn’t destroyed. Comparison may be the thief of joy, but employing it hypothetically can also evoke powerful gratitude realizations. We are alive. Beyond being given a fighting chance, what more can we ask for?

Necessary Political Reform

Man it’s tough with politics right now. We struggle to even have a conversation with other people, and that’s because we’re locked into 2 “sides.” There are so many important issues, how can each and every one of them fall onto one “side” or the other? Life is not a dichotomy, and the American political system shouldn’t be either. In some way, we need to move the levers of the system to create more diverse representation in our government. There is little precedent, and the powers that be want to maintain the status quo—because they’re the ones in power. But it’s hard to see us accomplishing anything else without first reforming the system and creating new incentivization structures. It’s not impossible. It’s necessary. 

Moving to New Horizons

There’s something about moving, changing locations, that injects you with prescient feelings about your life. The fresh start allows you to evaluate, in an unusually objective way, “where” you’re at. New surroundings, new stimuli, new intentions. It’s a healthy prophylactic against stagnating within old habits and worn out perspectives. And it makes me wonder, amidst this backdrop of 2020: where are we? Even more importantly: where do we want to be?

Political Responsibility Evidence

The implications of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg provide further evidence that the American political system needs considerable reform. When Justice Scalia died in the final year of then President Obama’s term in 2016, the Republican party’s leadership announced they would not confirm his nomination until a new president was elected. Now, with much less time before the next presidential term starts, the Republican Party is eager to confirm whomever Trump nominates. It very clearly shows the absence of principle, and illuminates the sole goal of both political parties: the accumulation and consolidation of power. Americans must move away from the 2 party system in order to achieve true representation. Voting in elections is only the start. We have an obligation to those who come after us. Fundamental human rights are only actual if we consistently maintain them. It is a responsibility of us all, if we wish to enjoy the progress we’ve thus far accomplished as a species. What more evidence do we need?

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.