Inner Peace

You can be irritated or flustered or at peace in any place, any environment. We have full control over our internal worlds, and our behavior shows our interior environment. If you watch and listen, you can glimpse that inner climate in others.

What a Planet

My partner and I really do enjoy the Earth. It’s such an incredible phenomenon to explore. It’s the only thing we know, to rein in our expectations and understanding of the universe. But it’s also undeniably spectacular. This may be all we know in our lifetimes, but we know enough to enjoy it. Thank you Pacha Mama.

Passing it On

The days are starting to run together. But in observing interactions here, I’m grateful I was taught two important things: that you’re not better than anyone, and in turn no one is better than you. Secondly, the people in our lives are what matter. When we’re gone, our impact can be measured by those still here; how they remember you, and how they live. It’s important we pass this on.

Reflection on Independence

I’ve always kind of struggled with the fourth. Back when I lived abroad for a few years I saw the nationalism from a distance, and I was a bit disillusioned.

This year, I feel much chagrin. The country I was born in, that I will always call home, is in a transition. The Roe v. Wade decision is the most high profile example of a series of policy decisions in this country that I do not agree with. Women are the most sacred beings on this planet—how can we accept such a course of action?

On the anniversary today I stand with my wife, I stand with my mother, and I stand with my Granny. Today is an opportunity for reflection. The United States can be and is great in many ways, but there are also several ways to course correct. It begins with the most basic decency of half our population.

We are indeed in a transition. But we have the ability to decide how this transition progresses onward; we have the power to determine the type of world for our children. On Independence Day today, let us reflect. So that tomorrow, we may act.

Aruba Perspective

Time can certainly become lost on a desert island. I’m struck by the bright blue water here, the way the wind shapes the island, and the exotic birds that flit and flourish in the surrounds. Surprisingly I do not feel an immediate sense of island fever. It must be the rum.

Despite the mechanizations of discouraging precedent and policy as of late, we still inhabit a diverse and beautiful planet. Earth may be home by default, but imagine if we moved to it from another origin in the solar system, if we were Martian and expanded to Earth. We would be incredibly allured by the majestic scenery, the myriad of life. We can still be. We just have to see it. Aruba is proving a good provider of that perspective.

Back to it

I saw more of Aruba today on the taxi ride to our hotel than on my last visit here. The powdery fine white sand, however, lived up to my embellished memories. It’s truly an island paradise here, and the locals are warm and friendly. I guess it’s back to the Caribbean.

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.