To Bring Love

Another way to say it: the secret of life is love. Humans’ greatest attribute is to emanate love into the universe. It’s our highest contribution. Every single person has the ability to bring love into the world. That love is selfless and can only help others, can only add to the system. It is our greatest power and our greatest strength. Through love, we can manipulate the universe. We can reorganize it into an ordered structure that benefits all. Through love, we can change the world.

The Secret of Life

The secret of life is simple: it’s not about you. Despite our natural inclination to be self-centered, this life doesn’t have a sole purpose. We are but one ingredient in the universe soup. Life is about all of it. And when you understand the secret, you can assimilate with everything else there is.

Looking Up

Exhausted on my post-run cooldown, walking down the sidewalk, I started to pull out my phone. I habitually checked the lock screen, but immediately put it back in my pocket. Then I looked up. There was a turkey vulture gliding through the blue sky above me. Wings spread wide, it crested through the air with only micro adjustments to swing between drafts. I stopped and put my hands on my hips, panting, and stared up at it. It felt like 20 minutes, but I probably only watched the bird for a mere 45 seconds. Smiling with one last glance, I continued to the house. It was an innocent reminder: the world outside our devices is majestic. Our phones are merely tools (in fact my phone used to be named, “This is a Tool”). The real world happens all around us. Sometimes all we have to do is look up.

Universe Centered

I’ve twice read Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but it’s probably been a decade since my last read. One of the things that really struck me in the book was the concept of being “principle-centered.” Covey outlines how one can center their life around several possible elements: being self-centered, family-centered, career-centered, spiritual-centered, etc. He argues being principle-centered leads to greater balance in life, empowers people to influence others, and provides the foundation for servant leadership. I found it profound in my early 20’s and it still resonates with me today. Stick to your principles. Strong principles yield greater living.

But I thought about a slightly different framework, one I believe every single person in the world can support: being universe-centered. This essentially translates to living one’s life grounded within the scope of the entire universe. That we are small specks living on a small planet orbiting an ordinary star. That the universe is amorphous and unknowable. That our existence here in this time together is a miracle. And that we must move with the flow of the universe. I don’t think centeredness around the universe is incompatible with centeredness around principles. Principles are important in life and provide a basis for our morality. But to me they are resolute, unbreakable. Would you break a principle to spare your child’s life? When universe-centered, we can consider the big picture of our reality. We can treat life as a process and move with it. We can move with the flow of the universe.

Beyond Pessimism

I have definitely struggled against pessimism over the past few years. The pandemic and politics has made it difficult to feel good about our system, our society, our species. But I realized that line of thinking only follows one portion of possible perspective. It centers around the collective human condition, which is natural.

But we can always expand our awareness to outside ourselves, to the planet, to the universe at large. We have always transcended our current circumstances through such thinking. It’s how Da Vinci came up with his flying contraption: by admiring the majesty of the birds up in the sky. It’s how Isaac Newton “discovered” gravity: by considering why an apple fell from the tree (or so the saying goes). It’s a hallmark of our kind: we draw inspiration from the magic of reality surrounding us. We can think beyond the (however unsatisfying) status quo by appreciating the beauty of the Earth and the ethereal nature of the universe.

It’s an eternal source of positivity. We exist. We’re alive, in this crazy configuration of atoms and cells, elements and stars. What a miracle to be apart of. It can’t be all that bad. And if we allow ourselves to wonder, we’ll figure out a way to make it even better. We always have, and we always will. We can change the world.

Travel and Life Perception

There are many ways to perceive our life experience. One can narrowly focus on a singular aspect of life, like entertainment. It can become their whole identity. One can become consumed with economic prosperity, or obsessed with their work. One can even try to balance it all, surveying life holistically, and become preoccupied with life’s facets instead of life itself. But life is simply living.

It’s funny, humans appear to be the only ones on this planet that need a reminder. Perhaps it’s a premature consequence of high intelligence. But our species has reached an inflection point, between our biological evolution and our technological innovation. We’ve learned how to do powerful things, to significantly manipulate our environment. Yet that same progress enables us to travel. To see the world in its entirety, from the furthest polar regions to the deepest equatorial jungles. We can experience the totality of the planet unlike any other species.

It’s why I advocate for travel. When we see the world’s diversity firsthand, we are humbled and inspired. That leads to awareness, to action, to change. Because in the end, we all share an identical life experience. We are all denizens of Earth. We were all born here, and will all die here. We share it together. Through travel, we can change it.

By Day By Night

It’s so easy for our perspective to shift. What we consume determines our thoughts, and we are what we think about. In today’s world it’s so easy to succumb to constant stimulation across a variety of mediums and devices. We’ll find more peace if we devote long hours of concentration to something meaningful. Or rather, look up at the stars, to see our place in the universe. Behold the Earth’s beauty by day, and the galaxy’s by night.

Science Fiction Rumination

I think about why I like science fiction. There’s something alluring, mystical about a good sci-fi story. It might be the communication about the sense of size of the universe. We’re just these tiny specks of momentary dust when you consider the scale of distance and time in this setting we inhabit. The deepest questions of existence and reality can be approached with sci-fi. And I think when we consider those deep questions, to the extent our biology allows, we can fully appreciate the miracle of life and try to derive the meaning we can from it. How lucky we are to be alive, together here in this time, in this particular coordinate, on this big beautiful amazing world. There’s an unknowable beauty to it all. Despite its inherent melancholic element, I’m grateful to be apart of it.

Moments of Love

There are moments more important than others; this has been written before. I’ve come to realize the moments of triumph, nor of euphoria or thrill are most important. It’s the ones of understanding, peace, and love. It’s then we feel the beauty of the universe. It’s then we can change the world.

Stronger Tribe

To gather with family is divine. I’ve written about it before, but the nights with the tribe are the most important. I can’t believe we’re so far separated from it, when it used to be every evening. It’s clear, if we want to change the world, that we’re strongest together.

Equal

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from my parents is also very simple: all people are equal. No matter a person’s appearance or wealth, each of us matters the same. We are all human and all equal. The sooner everyone buys into that idea, the better our world will be.

Gather for Music

One of the most basic human activities is to gather with the tribe and listen to music. We’ve been doing it for thousands of years up to now. To celebrate my sister’s birthday, I’m happy to do it today. Let’s turn the music up and have fun. I love you Megan.

Seeing Confusion

It’s such a confused world we live in, in a way. We are so far removed from our biology, and our relationship with life forms, and the physics of the universe. In some ways it’s a testament to the success of our species, depending on measurement. But I think it’s easily rediscover-able. We can develop a sense for our connection to the universe, this soup of which we’re apart of. We can, change the world.

Same but Different

I sometimes wonder where we go next. Because it’s an ambiguous uncertain future, as it has been for the entirety of our species’ history. We’re simply more aware of it now collectively.

But then I realize it’s never been clear where to go next. It’s never been easy, for anyone. People assessed and did what they thought was best. Dozens of leaders, thousands of people tried their damnest to improve their own lives, and those of their tribe. It’s how it will always be. Always the same and yet always different. What will we do?

H&H for All

We can make the world better than it is today, for our children and all those who come after us. It’s a sacred responsibility of every generation. We just can’t lose hope if we feel the current trajectory is not positive. We can change it. We can do anything if we develop a global consciousness to guide our technology. We can do anything if we unite humanity toward a common purpose: health and happiness for all. We can do anything if we inspire change. We can change the world.

People World

It’s an interesting thing to meet and greet. We learn so much from each other, and I’m not sure how much we all appreciate it. It is a big beautiful amazing world, and we’re all apart of it.

Changing it all

The world offers incredible diversity, breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and inspiring perspectives. Our relationships bring joy, companionship, and a sense of belonging. Ultimately, each of us can make a positive impact, contributing to a brighter, more compassionate, and fulfilling world for all. We can change the world.

Funny World

The world is a funny thing. We can see it from many different perspectives, literal and figurative both. I enjoy the chaos of it all. We can want to improve it for everyone, but at the same time… we have to embrace the world we’ve got right now. The balance of how to distinguish those differences… that’s called life.

City Character

My own personal bias aside, there’s something ethereal about San Francisco. It’s kind of a surreal haphazardly produced imitation of a city, because there’s not really anything like it. The estranged keep the sense of urgency on every corner, and the diversity of food options keep you hungry. San Francisco has character, and it’s worth experiencing.

Transform the World through Action

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead

In the midst of today's circumstances, it's easy to succumb to frustration and hopelessness regarding the state of our world. I've come to realize that many share these sentiments, accompanied by a common misconception: taking action is too daunting, too risky, or too ineffective.

I challenge this misconception. It’s possible to demonstrate why action is the key to forging a better world.

What Constitutes Action and Why Is It Significant?

Action refers to any form of behavior that aims to accomplish a goal or instigate change. It can manifest on an individual or collective level, spanning the spectrum from small-scale to grand, and can occur both online and offline. Voting, protesting, volunteering, donating, and speaking up are all action. Action holds immense importance because it is the sole means of effecting change. Without action, nothing transpires. Without action, problems persist, injustices prevail, and opportunities slip away. Without action, we passively witness our own fate.

Yet, through action, we can shape our destiny. Through action, we can resolve problems, combat injustices, and seize opportunities. Through action, we inspire others, influence policies, and transform societies. Through action, we can change the world.

History offers countless examples action revolutionizing our world. The civil rights movement, the environmental movement, the women’s’ rights movement, and a plethora of others…each of these was propelled by individuals who took action on their beliefs, and they made a difference.

What Hinders Us From Taking Action?

If action results in change, why do we not engage in it more frequently? The answer is simple: it's not easy. Taking action demands courage, commitment, and effort. It entails risks, challenges, and uncertainties. Many different factors can impede us from taking action:

• Fear: we may fear failure, rejection, criticism, or conflict. Concerns about the consequences of our actions or the reactions of others are naturally engrained in us biologically

• Doubt: we may doubt ourselves, our abilities, our ideas, or our impact. We may question whether we possess the adequacy, intelligence, or qualifications necessary to take action

• Apathy: we may not care enough about a given issue or its outcome. We might believe it has no personal bearing or consider it unworthy of our time and energy

• Ignorance: we may lack true comprehensive knowledge about the issue or potential solutions. We may not have the information, skills, or resources required to take effective action

• Comfort: our existing circumstances may provide a safety net of comfort, or we may be overly attached to our habits and routines. We may resist change and shy away from challenge

While these factors are understandable and perhaps even prevalent, they are not insurmountable. Every one of us can overcome all of them, if we believe and see the value of true change.

Overcome Barriers and Initiate Action

The good news: we can overcome these barriers and act today. One can find their passion by identifying an issue that resonates with them on a personal and emotional level. There’s something happening in the world that can spark every person’s interest, curiosity, or anger. We can find our motivation, reminding ourselves why we want to take action and what we want to achieve. We can consider the benefits of taking action and the costs of remaining inert. Our actions make a difference for ourselves and others.

Perhaps one of the biggest pieces is information. We have to educate ourselves about a given issue and its potential solutions. This means conducting thorough research and finding reputable sources of data. If we seek out diverse perspectives and opinions while maintaining a requirement for evidence, we can learn the context and circumstances around any issue and seek to solve it with integrity.

Finally, it’s necessary to find resources and allies that can help. There are a myriad of tools and platforms that enable action. Leveraging social media to raise awareness, mobilizing support through online communities, and starting online petitions to demand change from decision-makers—these are all accessible to the average citizen. And there are like-minded individuals who share the same passions and motivations—we just have to connect with them. Various groups and organizations working on every imaginable issue are out there.

Action Transforms the World

Action transforms the world because it transforms us. It reshapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It redefines our relationships with others and our ability to influence them. It reconfigures our environment and our responses to it. Each of us possesses the power to change the world today. We can’t wait for others to act on our behalf or for someone to grant us permission to take action. We simply need to start, to act. So begin by contacting your local representative and articulating the issue you care about, along with the solution you wish them to support. Sign a petition demanding increased funding for renewable energy research. Join a group organizing monthly clean-ups in your neighborhood. Take one small step today that will enable greater strides tomorrow. We have the capacity to achieve it. We have the ability to change the world.