Long term Gratitude

I wonder if America being so new diminishes our long term thinking. We seem to not have as much forward-looking perspective as our European and other international brethren. 

Americans are immersed in luxury and convenience, and it’s all too easy for us to forget how much hardship exists in other parts of the world. Gratitude is not our normal mode of operation; we have to insist we live with it. 

Part of maintaining gratitude is recognizing how we can spread it, to different people and across time to future generations. We can be grateful for all we enjoy now, and offer that opportunity to those who come after. 

The Vehicle of Art

Today I was exposed to high class art for the first time in what seems like a long time. I tend to gravitate toward nature and the beauty of the universe, but true good art is spectacular in its own right. 

We are incredible monkeys, with the dexterity and imagination to produce some wonderful imagery. We’re the only species that does it on this planet, and when you consider it from that perspective, it’s kind of incredible. 

We have the ability to inspire and evoke deep emotion; that is demonstrated by our art. Can we purpose that for collective action, for the betterment of all we know… can we change the world?

Cali Differences

It always amazes me how different Southern California is from the Bay Area. There are so many more people, more freeway lanes, and overall just a different vibe. 

Just 400 miles away, and culture can completely change. And sometimes it doesn’t, which is what makes this smorgasbord of civilization so interesting. 

The takeaway is there is always something to learn. The more we expand our possibilities, the better we can make the world for our children. 

Offering 1 Percent

I’ve been trying to figure out how I can contribute my 1% to the world. As I’ve written before, if we all contribute just 1% of our effort to bettering the world, things would improve.

A little bit of time on all our parts, to whatever end we can offer, and it’d be a better collective experience for us all. So what can I offer to the world, what can you?

When we look at it from this perspective, contribution transforms from a duty to motivation. Isn’t this the world we want to live in?

Exploring this World

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss has inspired me since I was a child. Sometimes things don’t go the way we envision, but it’s such a big world out there, to despair is to waste. 

There’s so much beauty and divine in this world to discover. I’m grateful to be alive to explore this incredible planet. 

It might seem like a small victory at times, but to take solace in this basic ability to tour and traverse the Earth epitomizes being human. We belong to this rock, and what a wonderful rock it is. 

Future Agency

So what do we do, in a world in which we seemingly have less and less agency? Shall we enjoy the comforts afforded to us in the times we live in, and let it all pass us by?

The solution is to adopt a longitudinal view, one that spans far past our lifetime. Understanding that our collective actions have consequences down the line—that’s the first step. 

The second is to commit to contribution, to bettering the world for not just ourselves, but for those who come after. It’s the only way to promote a better future. 

Thinking of Home

It’s been depressing to see news about climate change, but I feel in the wake of Covid-19 it’s become worse. I fear the hardship our species has experienced with this virus will only pale to what may potentially come. 

I find myself pretending it all away, focusing on other things to stay distracted from reality. How many others do something similar?

The facts are plain to see: we must take strong collective action. It’s time to view our planet, and all the life on it, for what it is—the only habitable place in the known universe, and our home. 

Life Dwelling

We can be so meticulous about our dwelling. Home is a manifestation of our internal environment, where we are in the journey of life. 

But it’s easy to become obsessed with convenience and aesthetic. Fengshui is important, but I’ve found you find that when it’s a fit, not fancy. 

No matter how simple, our home is our castle, our sanctuary. It reflects where we are in the adventure. 

Social is Human

Sometimes it can be the simplest thing to spend time with your tribe. Today I hung out at the pool with some of mine, and the water alongside food and music fueled the relaxation. 

We don’t need elaborate parties and fancy gatherings. It is the social interaction time that reinvigorates us more. 

It is our social bonds that unite us and persuade us to do good. Our community, whether familial or global, is what makes us human. 

Turning Points

It’s always interesting to me how things change over time. I look back on my perspectives from times before, and they look so different. 

It’s one thing to keep that mind when engaging in self reflection; it’s another to recognize that everyone else is going through the same process. We are temporary in every single way, life forms that must adapt and change to survive. 

Some moments matter more than others, and in those key opportunities we can reach a turning point. Because momentum is real as well, and riding its wave is easier than fighting it. 

Tribal Paradigm

It’s our tribe that gives us support and love, our tribe that empowers us to achieve higher levels of self-actualization. I try to remember how incredibly fortunate I am to have such a strong and communal tribe. 

It’s high time we recognize that we all have tribes, people we care about that support us. And that we are collectively one large tribe that empowers each other to achieve success and prosperity. 

The sooner we focus our collective efforts on strengthening our global tribe, the faster life will improve for all of us. If we adopt this perspective, anything is possible. 

Birthday Learning

Another trip around the sun for this meat popsicle. It’s a funny thing, our conception of “birthdays.”

I do know that we can grow, no matter our biological change. We can change our perspective, and adapt to new circumstances.

This continual youth is crucial to our development as a society and a species. We are, for lack of a better word, dumb—what can we learn?

Econ and Balance

Work-life balance is a luxury we enjoy in the modern world because of years of hard work and advocation. There are still many around the globe who have no semblance of it, as the fight for equality continues. 

Those of us fortunate to contemplate this elusive balance, are we making the right choice? Do we view time as the ultimate resource?

Economic dynamics have rocked our society this millennium. If we can understand that, we can change the world for all. 

Water is Life

We take running water for granted in the first world. We turn on the tap and water magically comes forth, in whatever temperature or pressure we decide. 

And we’re so accustomed to it that even when experiencing extreme drought we don’t appreciate its preciousness. Yet it is the very thing that most makes our planet so unique. 

We can’t live beyond a few days without water; it is life. Climate change remains a buzzword in the zeitgeist, but do we consider Earth’s water to be a part of that? 

Tribal Thrive

Recently I’ve reflected on how happy I am with life right now. The world may be facing troubled times, but there’s still good everywhere, and I have enjoyed much of it. 

It just goes to show what the important things are: health and family. When all is right within our tribe, life becomes much easier. 

Our biology dictates that we rely on others for survival—we wouldn’t make it on our own. Community also enables us to thrive. 

New Vantage Points

I’m blogging from the Glacier Point above the valley, a magnificent vantage point for Half Dome and the surrounding peaks. It was my first time doing the Four Mile Trail since childhood, and I had forgotten how enchanting its scenery. 

From this trail you’re offered glorious views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome, the three most famous landmarks in the park. It serves as a reminder to continue to explore, even in places you visit often. 

I recognize now in my prime adulthood how much nature is necessary for my psychological health. We belong to the Earth; it’s not the other way around. 

Back to the Valley

I have the privilege to return to one of my favorite places on the planet today, some X hundred miles from my home. That place has some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth, and it is Yosemite Valley. 

Work hard play hard right? For me this is the epitome of that sentiment, with the playground here being some of the most beautiful terrain our world offers. 

Nature recharges us, it invigorates us; it returns us to our most basic biological and physiological state. I’m grateful to be immersed in it now, to have the opportunity to enjoy one of Earth’s many pleasures. 

Agency is Choice

It can feel like we have no agency when we follow what’s going on in the world. But we have to remember the media is biased, a lens through which much is filtered. 

There are serious problems that threaten our species and our planet. But there is also work being done, and good people out there who are trying to do the right thing. 

Our agency is our conscientious choice to be one of those people in the world. It is how we will be judged by future generations, and what will comfort us at death’s door. 

Gratitude Perspective

I’ve been blogging about this a lot recently, but gratitude keeps coming back to my salvation. When having a rough time of it, we can always return to thinking about how good we absolutely have it. 

Reminiscing over photos of good times can help, especially if done with loved ones. Remembering what we’ve experienced and the important people in our life provides added perspective. 

However irritating a few hours might be, if we step back and examine it all, we realize it could always be worse. After all, it still is a big beautiful amazing world, and we get the opportunity to make the most of our circumstances. 

Appropriate Attention

Deleting Twitter has been a positive experience for me thus far, and I’ve overall followed the daily news cycle a lot less. I still struggle with the balance of keeping informed while focusing on what matters and living my life. 

In this hyper connected world, we oddly enough have to set boundaries. We still haven’t figured out as a species how to distribute attention individually and collectively. 

What matters to us? Our news gives an indication, and it’s crucial we determine how best to proceed as a society.