Little Havana

Even within one city, microcultures permeate and coexist alongside each other, block by block. It was fascinating today to learn a little bit about Cuban history in Little Havana, a neighborhood extremely different than South Beach. On Calle Ocho, despite the fair amount of tourism, friendly people greet one another, looking to enjoy good food and refreshing libations while participating in the joyful live music. Here people just want to live life, slowly but with flavor. Such places are always a refreshing reminder for me, that we are here on this Earth to love, and to enjoy.

South Beach Vibes

I was very impressed by the quality of the beach today here in South Beach; it easily gives San Diego and any other Californian beach a run for their money. The vibe here is relaxed and confident. People are ready to have a good time, enjoy good food, and move to the music. The Latin culture here serves as an interesting contrast to that of California’s.

This is why I travel: to experience new places, that might resemble somewhere I know well but yet have their own unique flavor. The world is a grand place, and there is so much to experience. What a wonderful planet we inhabit, that we get to experience and explore. Let us remember such perspective when we think about the policies we want to govern ourselves.

Welcome to Miami

One year later, we get to take our originally intended honeymoon: good food, good drinks, and good beaches. Miami is certainly a destination for such, and an alluring place at that. I look forward to engaging in an ancient human past time, something every sapien who has ever lived has done: wander. Show us South Beach, what you have to offer.

Wondering about the World

As I get older I recognize how significant the big events are—the ones with family.

Or maybe we’re all just still recuperating from the pandemic, because it sure seems like it.

Is it any harder to know what’s true today than previously? It probably is in many ways with the prevalence of information, all the noise. But also easier because the average person is so much More knowledgeable.

It can be a tricky world at times. We must navigate it with care.

Grateful for Granny

We remember the people who were meaningful to us. All cultures commemorate brith, marriage, and death, and I’ve participated in all three celebrations recently. I guess that’s life.

But besides longing to be with the person who’s gone, today I’m mostly just feeling grateful. I’m thankful I had such a wonderful grandmother, someone who touched so many others’ lives so deeply.

I kind of had this realization this weekend: we are all temporary, and all that really matters is how you treat others while you’re here, and to that end, how much better the universe is because of you. My Granny epitomized kindness, and left the world a better place. I love you Granny, and I promise to do my best to do the same.

The Next Day

The next day later, it’s kind of important.

My tribe is what sustains me. They are what keeps it going. What else is there to say?

We are social creatures. How you choose is up to you.

Wedding Day Again

I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen today, and that’s part of the excitement. I do know, however, the most prominent emotion I feel: love. I have so much love for all the people attending today, many coming from far away. Today I get to celebrate the most important thing in my life, my marriage to my wife, with my greater tribe. Some semblance of the same ceremony, this common sacred tradition, exists all over the world in every culture. Why do we go through such an ordeal to put on such an elaborate production? Because love is the most important thing in the universe, and it’s what makes us all human. To love.

Belong Together

To those who say they don’t believe in the concept of synergy, just consider the communal build up of anticipation before a wedding. You can sense the electric excitement in the air. Because all involved understand something meaningful is about to occur. In all parts of the world, we celebrate the union between two people. It is the foundation of our tribal biology. We belong together.

Beauty and Challenge

As I’ve become older, I’ve realized that stress will always come in waves, that there is no eliminating stress. Part of what makes one an adult is the ability to manage one’s stress, to not let it control you or overwhelm you. I’m definitely still learning. Isn’t that one of the joys of life? To learn how to get better at something, to see a challenge for what it is, merely a challenge, and not let it obscure the beauty that is life? For we all deserve the chance to experience that beauty. When we see it, our stress fades away, and we can live in harmony together.

Earth Day Every Day

I love the Earth. I love how it felt cool at 78 degrees this afternoon when the clouds rolled in to make it overcast. I love the carpet of purple flowers underneath the jacaranda tree. I love the golden hills of California off in the distance. I love seeing people go about their day, the semi-frantic sensation of summer in the air. We truly inhabit a beautiful planet. Let’s take care of it. Let’s cherish it.

These Summer Days

I recognize that I have it better than so many people, and that’s not necessarily fair or due to my own volition. I know many people are suffering in the world right now. But some summer days, I can’t help but reflect on how grand life can be. The world is getting better. The vast majority of people in the world are literate. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, the world is getting wealthier. Most of the world is healthier. We have serious blockers to solve, certainly. We will solve them. In the Northern hemisphere at least, we can enjoy these beautiful hot days and be grateful for what we have. Relish these summer days.

Sacred Vow Again

What’s the most important thing you’ve ever had to memorize? Perhaps something like a social security number, an important speech for work, or a secret password for a tree fort?

One year later, I’m again recognizing that for me, it’s my wedding vow. A sacred covenant with my lifelong partner in this universe.

It is the others we choose to spend our time with, the others who walk the same path together with us… that is where we can derive meaning in this existence. Because it means we are not alone.

Dual Holidays

Today served as a dual holiday with both Father’s Day and Juneteenth. I have to admit I’m still learning about the latter and how I can best celebrate it, as well as contribute to our nation’s continual betterment.

As for the former, I’ve been benefiting from that my entire life. Parents are the most important figures in one’s life. They model how to experience the world, how to process it, and how to behave in it. Thank you Dad for being all I could ever ask for, and for spurring the thinking necessary to making the world a better place. Happy Father’s Day.

Money Paradox

What is our North Star as we continue onward? Both for ourselves, as we get older, and for our species? Is it to do good? Be happy? Make money? Doesn’t the last one seem so ridiculous in such context?

Seeing the big picture, on the biggest possible scale of time and space, helps us recognize that. Paradoxically, however, we need to make more of the world wealthier to have the ability to contribute.

Protecting Love

The pandemic has definitely changed the world. In some ways, it still feels broken. But I try to remember how good I really have it, how pleasant life is, on the whole, for so many people. There is still wonder and love and joy in the world. Let’s protect it.

Timeline Talk

As I get older I’ve noticed my preferences have changed. I’m sure it’s incredibly common over the past 4000 year or so. On that timeline, what does it say about our species? Or more importantly our planet? I firmly believe we can do this, that we can change the world. The first solution? To talk about it.

Social Circles

It’s interesting when our social circles intersect. I enjoy talking to someone who inhabits a different realm, because I learn so much perspective. How cool is it that we live in such a time? To not feel threatened while learning from someone completely different than you? It’s such an underrated, yet profound component of our modern experience.

Flag Day Reflection

Even though Flag Day isn’t a major holiday or something I actively celebrate, I always think about it when I see it on the calendar. We humans love our symbolism. It’s easier for us to attach identity and values to an entity if there’s a physical symbol to represent it. As part of our responsibility as patriots and global citizens, it’s also our duty to question the actions and follow up behind that flag. To make the world a better place, we must regularly take an honest look at its status. May we do just that on this Flag Day.

Making Home

We like to think about the “where were you moments,” but it’s actually about “who were you with.” When you experience enough of such moments, or view it from a far enough scale, you recognize that it is in fact all about the people. We are truly tribal creatures, and who we make our home with determines all.

Feeling It

It can be so: you think you have your own rhythm, and then you come face to face with someone else. All of a sudden you’re in a new realm, facing an unknown amount of variables.

This can happen every day, whether you regard yourself as someone “else” or not. And we’re looking, I hope, to unify that rhythm.

We just have to feel it.