We can change the world.
One of my favorite places in Beijing, 天坛 in July 2012
And then there are the after days. Soon I will construct an image of my tribe’s matriarch. But until then, I will recoup and live. Our time here really is so precious, and that’s been incredibly evident over the past few days. I want to fully live with my tribe. Blood is blood, and the rest is choice. This is the reality of our existence, and we act accordingly.
Hands passing energy and strength yesterday in the Bay Area
We are not alone while we are here. I don’t know what lies beyond, but I want to guide the members of my tribe there, and I hope when it’s my time I will have someone to guide me. I’m learning it is one of the greatest acts of love and honor we can provide one another. It’s sometimes difficult to be human, but it doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Life is meaningful, and I’m grateful to experience it.
Looking at icebergs and glaciers and mountains off the coast of Antarctica, March 2019
Tribe matters, and moments matter with your tribe. You get to choose what you say to those you love. I don’t know if I executed properly today, but I gave my best in saying what was important, and what was necessary.
We learn from our elders, and that’s truly something special. It’s an unspoken agreement that we pass on the wisdom to those that come after us. It is one of the most basic covenants within our biology. Pass it on, give to the next. And be genuinely grateful for those who have provided before you.
Observing a temple in Bali, February 2020
Sometimes life makes priorities very clear. We have our time allotted to us on this planet, and get to choose who to spend it with. How wonderful that our species gets to emanate love into the universe. Let’s do that together.
Enjoying a minute in the city, February 2022
When you live minute by minute or hour by hour, your perspective on life changes. We have an incredible situation; we really do have it all. Do we recognize it?
Sunshine on church and square in Recife, Brazil, February 2019
What do you say to a family member?
Your family is all here because we love you. You have impacted my life. I will take what I’ve learned from you and pass it on to others. Your life is meaningful. I love you.
Is there anything more?
Learning about aboriginal culture from the sails of the Sydney Opera House, January 2020
In listening to the news about the world’s sanctions on Russia and their repercussions, I keep thinking to myself: we live in one world. I do not condone what’s happening in Ukraine, but the reality is we live within one closed system, planet Earth. The effects of this war will reverberate around the globe, and indeed are already being felt in the global economy. We as a species must recognize the current year and what we’ve learned over the centuries. The injustices we impart on one another hold weight and memories. Let’s be good to each other.
Looking down upon the city of Prague in Czechia, September 2019
What if we had playgrounds and parks for adults? I ran by an elementary school’s yard yesterday during its recess, and there were children doing all kinds of things. Kids were playing on the jungle gym, running around in the field, shooting basketballs, playing handball, talking in groups, picking flowers, engaging in tag, and racing each other. Why don’t we do that as adults? Sure we play still, but we don’t necessary have a one-for-all spot like a school yard. Plus there’s something primal about chasing another human in jest. There’s a completeness in freedom from unorganized play, just for the sake of play. As adults, let’s remember to play.
Our campsite during our stay in the Serengeti, November 2019
You still have to live. I remind myself that when feeling sad about upsetting circumstances. It’s okay to be sad about something, to resonate with the true feelings of a situation. But it shouldn’t rob us of our overall vivacity, the miracle that is life in this universe. We still enjoy an amazing experience being alive, one that is exhilarating and meaningful. Seeing the big picture, on the biggest possible scale of time and space, helps buoy our spirit. There’s sorrow in this existence, but also joy and excitement. It’s all part of our human experience, and in totality, it’s a pretty wonderful thing. Embrace it wholly, with your tribe, for the limited amount of time we have together. Together we live.
Steering toward the (for now) frozen continent. Antarctica, March 2019
What if we had a ranking system for our top issues and problems, metered by the amount of life impacted and the depth of implications on the future? This could be applied at the international, regional, and local level.
On the global stage, climate change would receive the attention it deserves, the atrocities in Yemen would be featured just as much if not more than those in Ukraine, and our food and energy problems would generate significantly more discussion and action.
There’s a potential for nuclear conflict and a war between superpowers through the crisis in Ukraine, no doubt. The world should be aware of the events in that country and the possible ramifications. But do we thus ignore any and all of our other serious problems?
Attention is a zero sum game. As a species we must learn how to allocate our focus. Our ability to collectively organize on a planetary level will determine our future.
Enjoying an evening stroll around the Forbidden City, a favorite weekend pastime another lifetime ago. Beijing, China - August 2013
I used to love Bill Watterson’s comments about the weekend, how its purpose is to lazily pass the time, to do nothing. That hasn’t exactly been my day today, but there is something sacred about the weekend, when, in the white collar modern world at least, you don’t have to earn your living. Things slow down, and there’s more space for thought. It’s almost possible to enter a trance-like state. And it’s important for us to experience down time. It enables us to recharge, to expend our focus and energy on other moments that require our full effort. There are times for activity, and there are times for rest. Long live the weekend.
A street scene in San Francisco last month, February 2022
I guess people just write and talk about the same things in their life, to belabor the points that are important to them. I continuously write about the importance of our tribe, and how in a greater sense, we are one tribe as a species. It couldn’t be any more true to me tonight, and with every passing day I understand its truth more and more. We are biologically evolved to work together in groups, and we are one group now. It’s really that simple.
A St. Patrick’s Day in solitude with the Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina, March 2019
Saint Patrick’s Day was an important fixture for my family growing up as I inherit a lot of Irish heritage from my mother’s side. Tonight I look forward to the traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage with our matriarch and members of our tribe.
The innocence of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations seems long gone in our current world. A good deal of that can likely be attributed to our large problems: the effects of globalization, climate change, and our agricultural and food production issues. These problems must be addressed quickly and collectively, as I have frequently written.
But we also need to enjoy this precious moment we have in front of us right now, because the universe is amazing and beautiful. Tonight, I intend to do just that.
Absorbing the mystique of Red Square in Moscow, September 2019
How important is it to have deep conversations, with your loved ones or with anyone? I often wonder what people mean when they tell me they don’t want to talk about something “that deep.” I believe the things to which we ascribe meaning should be discussed, considered, and wondered. What it means to live, what is a full life, our values as a society, a species a planet. How miraculous our habitat is, on a regional, planetary, and galactic level. This doesn’t mean one can’t discuss sports, or celebrity gossip, or reminisce over shared stories. But talking about the larger things, the universal things that affect all of us, can bring us closer together. Because within that bigger picture, we see how similar we are, how we share one short life experience in a vast place. How are we living? Let’s talk about it.
A typical street in Arusha, Tanzania, September 2019
This blog helps me keep things in perspective. Pressure at work, or disagreements between tribe members… they are all small compared to the big picture.
We have so much to be grateful for, so much to enjoy and look forward to. And so much to make better. Let’s see it and get to it.
A gentoo penguin swims through the Southern Ocean, March 2019
Similarly, we’re all swimming in the same deep blue sea, the soup that is the universe. We come from it, live out our brief existence, and return to it. There’s some peace in that.
There’s also a compelling case to approach reality with such a paradigm: that it’s a miracle, and to squander it with war and hatred is a shame. We are alive concurrently, on this one planet, together. Can’t we swim together?
Ancient buildings near the Summer Palace in Beijing, China, October 2012
We all breathe and we all bleed. We all share this one planet, our only home. We can stand with Ukraine, but it’s important to remember most people do not want war, ordinary Russian citizens included. We also cannot ignore what’s happening in Yemen, or any other number of places. Peace is possible, but it requires a one world view. Let us see.
There are some moments that bring pure Earthly joy. Gibson Ranch Park near Sacramento, March 2022
There are the simple things: rolling hills or an approaching forest, the laughter of your tribe or the embrace in eye contact with a loved one.
These might be the essence of what we’re doing here. Of course, that’s up to each of us to figure out.
But I can’t stop thinking that this reality, this universe and this world, is the most amazing opportunity we’re ever going to get. What will we do with it?
Lines and colors fade and change from sand to ocean. Isabela island, Galapagos, Ecuador - May 2019
Gosh, in driving to Sacramento today, my main thought was: there are a lot of us. Between the Bay and the capital, you pass through several cities spaced out over 120 miles. Thousands of people live in these places.
And the way of life changes as you pass through. It’s different in Livermore and Tracy than Stockton, which differs still from Sacramento or San Jose. We envision a united strategy against climate change or war or poverty, and I do believe that’s possible, but when you drive 100 miles away, you see how daunting that challenge is.
We can achieve unity around the most important issues that affect us all, because we all want the same things in the end; health, wealth and happiness for ourselves and our tribe. We just need to recognize that although we might be one very large tribe, our diversity is astounding, and beautiful.
Peaks and valleys in the ocean water above the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia, January 2020
I’m not sure if it’s the rise of the internet and speed of communication, but we seem to rush through conclusions now. That’s on display with the cancellation of everything remotely Russian-connected.
What’s happening in Ukraine is a multi-faceted, fluid situation. It’s probably prudent to process all the information and deliberate, instead of rushing to action when emotions are high and facts are limited. Conclusions are only reached through consideration.