Let’s Play Ball

There’s something uniquely American about the first pitch of a baseball game. It’s the start of an untimed contest, in which anything can happen; a wild pitch or a home run. 

Enjoying a game with my grandparents today, I cannot think of a more representative act of our time. Relatively speaking, we live in a world of luxury. 

What a fantastical universe, in which amongst the billions of galaxies, stars, and celestial bodies, a red-stripped white ball exists on a baseball diamond. What else can we do but play ball. 

Weekend Time

Weekends in modern times are for family time, am I right? Which makes me think about our societal structure—what are our priorities?

I ordinarily argue for contribution to the world, that striving for betterment for all is a motivation to embrace. But if that isn’t grounded in a strong sense of community, where does that energy go?

It’s necessary for us to examine such a dynamic in how we live. Do we do what matters, and do we spend time with the people that matter most?

Modern News Dilemma

Keeping abreast of the latest news and politics proves difficult with all the online noise. A genuine source, without bent or agenda, can be hard to find. 

In today’s world the best strategy appears to be following trustworthy journalists, regardless of platform. When you find someone whose work you trust, you can lean on their information and expertise. 

More and more, these sources are not found on major networks or newspapers, but on their own independent platforms. It’s a brave new world when it comes to staying informed, and deciphering that information to better the world. 

The Education Topic

When the conversation turns to education, I always have strong feelings. How is it that when you talk to the average person, they always agree education should be changed?

Our teachers are the most important people in the world, because they most influence the course of our species. We can use the word “our” because it collectively affects everyone. 

In a complex world, one of those most impactful solutions is incredibly simple: we must focus more on education. The more we know, the more we can change the world. 

Responsibility of Joy

I've been told 'welcome to being an adult' for much of my adult life. Bills and responsibility are indeed a part of self reliance, but does maturity necessarily mean the same thing?

Rainbows and tigers and chocolate and puddles exist in this world--we should enjoy them! Buttoned up demeanor has no place in such a vivid reality.

Our time and place in this universe is so magnificent, we can not only revel in its beauty but also work to improve it, and that's where responsibility derives. The real bill is what's due upon departure: how much value we impart on all this is.

Story Power

Humans tell stories; it’s how we are wired to experience reality and a key mechanism of our sociability. When we feel hope or despair, it’s not necessarily because our reality has changed—we feel these emotions when we believe a narrative.

Which affords us incredible power, as we possess the ability to rise above the occasion. Our biology offers a way to achieve the improbable, when our minds believe the possible.

We can activate this potential even in the darkest times, and that’s not where we are. We can consider, we can empathize, we can thrive, and we can change the world. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline seemed a timely read given recent tech magnate speculation about the “metaverse.” Futuristic fun and pop culture references aside, the book lays out a possible future. 

In the story a dystopian world is largely ignored by the majority of the impoverished population, ditched for a persistent three dimensional virtual online reality. While foreboding in the year it was published, 2011, the scenario invokes fear in 2021. 

But the novel’s main message, even if not fully developed or featured, resonates deeply in current times as well: people are good, this world is worth saving…and never give up. Still fiction, but Ready Player One is a highly relevant tale and a short fun ride. 

American Autumn

I guess it’s autumn again in America, with football on Sunday’s. Watching a game on TV, you wouldn’t even think we were still in a pandemic. 

Because at some point, life goes on. I believe in doing all we can for public health and safety, in each of us taking responsibility for a healthy society, but at the same time…we have to live. 

This juxtaposition has proven difficult for us to move forward. But forward we must go; it’s the only path available. 

Anniversary of Reflection

Today is always a day of reflection. Whether we like it not, 9/11 is one of the most significant events in our lifetime, for anyone alive today. 

It has impacted almost the entire globe and changed billions of lives. Particularly for Americans, its horrors will never completely fade. 

How we choose to interpret this anniversary will determine humanity’s path forward. Each year this day serves as a stark reminder that we are all here on this planet together. 

Balance in Moments

Some moments are more important moments, and how we leverage those significant ones affects our path. I’ve learned that as I’ve gotten older, and I try to remember it. 

I feel guilty sometimes for not going full throttle all day every day. But for me at least, there are times for activity and time for rest, times for relaxation and times for work.

We can build a world in which this is possible for everyone, and yet opportunity and a good living standard exists for everyone. If we seek such balance for all, we can make it happen; do we see it? 

A Whole New World

We’re starting to accept the reality of the pandemic as a society. Do we accept it will be one of the most defining events of our lifetime?

We live in a changed world, that’s the reality. How we go from here…that will determine the lives and success of our children. 

If we approach this new world with this type of perspective, we will empathize more, and build something better…a new world with equality, justice, and peace for all. We can change the world. 

Deciding to Change

At any given moment, we can decide to change what we believe, or how we go about life. We’re the only animal on the planet known to do that. 

We have slowly built up this type of flexibility into our governing systems, making lots of progress the past few thousand years. However, our exponential growth in technological capability heightens the benefits and consequences of whatever the current societal structure. 

Much as we would need to motivate ourselves to start a new exercise routine or improve our eating habits, we must find the impetus for societal change. If we use technology as a tool for betterment, we can improve life for all species on this planet. 

Perfect Dismay

I’ve watched a couple 80’s comedies recently, and I found characters’ portrayals of dismay interesting. Much of that era’s comedic moments centered around unfortunate things happening followed by the actors’ reactions.

Unwanted events happen all the time: someone cuts you off in traffic, your package arrives with its contents broken, a person annoys you in a public setting. It’s as if people used to accept that life isn’t perfect, and now we bemoan any setback we experience. 

Bad things will happen sometimes, that’s just a part of life. We can rally better as a species if we deem problems and obstacles in life as simply part of the adventure.

Economic Revolution

Labor Day was created to celebrate the labor movement in the late 1800’s, a time in which the United States underwent rapid economic transformation. It feels like we are approaching another inflection point of economic revolution. 

We have taken the concept of a 40 hour workweek or “the weekend” for granted as a society, but it’s critical we remember these innovations were fought for, not given. With the ubiquity of powerful technology across all industries and sectors, must we work 40 hours a day, 5 days a week, or most of the year?

We need to decide how important, and sustainable, continuous growth is compared to collective happiness. Today serves as a reminder that our lives of convenience need not only apply to consumerism, and that if we want to change the economic system, we must insist on it. 

A Future of Possibility

I have always been fascinated with history, but recently came across an epiphany for my life's work: forward-thinking focus on the future is more important. This shift from past to future mustn't be jarring, as we can learn much by looking back and applying it to what's ahead.

But I've reached the conclusion that I want to live in a world of possibility. We inhabit a world with its fair share of perils, and it can become overwhelming and drive fatalism or acceptance.

I choose to focus on the lead measures, not the lag, and to contribute to solutions that currently do not yet exist. The future isn't easy, but with awareness and consideration, we can craft one of hope, equality, justice, and yes, possibility.

The Outside

Wind and water, trees and grass…with the pandemic, how much have we enjoyed these elements? None of it exists anywhere else in the known universe, after all. 

A gathering is always better in nature; it offers multiple facets of communion. We’ve been reticent inside for too much time, and appreciation is due. 

We live on the most incredible planet in the solar system, perhaps in existence. Let us remember its wonder and beauty, of which we owe everything. 

Weighted words we hear

The question can apply to ourselves individually or as a group—where do we go from here? At birth we inherited a set of circumstances, and from that moment on our experience depends on how we adapt to opportunities. 

The words “fate” and “destiny” have always held appeal to me. Not for wanting to believe in them, but their concepts themselves have been alluring…that there is something grand I can join. 

That grandeur is the universe, with all its encompassing chaos and beauty. The opportunity of reality is what all of us collectively make it, and while that might be daunting, it is also limitless in possibility. 

Purpose and Play

Hard work is rewarding in what you can accomplish and in the sense of satisfaction you can obtain. There’s a need for it as a human animal.

There’s also a time for it; we are not machines. We also derive pleasure from play, and there must be space for that too. 

The great balance between play and purpose seems to be one of life’s great conundrums, one I have yet to solve. How we navigate this tightrope affects not only our well-being, but how much we can happily contribute to the world, and thus us all. 

Unique Value Proposition

Some of us may to choose to create value through our career, others through our hobbies or personal lives. Either can be a good fit depending on one’s circumstances, but the point is we should all create value. 

Each of us has the capacity to offer something unique to the world. It can be a broad use application that garners millions of users, or a niche perspective that contributes to the lives of a small group of people. 

The opportunity is always there, in any given moment, to make an impact, no matter how small. Only when each of us makes the decision to try, can the collective efforts be felt across the globe. 

The non War Path

Some good happened in the world today in that a Forever War ended. People can disagree with many things regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal, but can anyone disagree that war isn’t worth it?

We might debate America’s place or role in the world. We might wonder how we can do things differently or be better. 

But on the grandest of timelines, how are the atrocities inflicted on humans by other humans, this time, any different than previous times in our species’ history? We might not all be able to come together right now, but it’s time for us to recognize that is the path forward.