Summer Closing
You can feel the summer winding down. The temperatures are cooling, school is starting soon (as well as football season!), and the year is on the back half. And so it goes.
Time keeps going.. are we contributing? Are we enjoying it?
Truman Tome Thoughts
I finished a big book today, the first time I've finished reading one in a while: Truman by David McCullough. I was emotionally moved upon completing it. And I can say I learned so much from this biography—incredible history (and the importance of always learning more history), but also insight into how to be good, how to be great, and how to live a life well lived.
Harry Truman may not have been our smartest President, but he worked hard and acted on principle (during his entire political career, not just during his time in the White House), in some of the most consequential times in United States history. I feel lucky he was our President at the close of World War II, the dawn of the Nuclear Age, and the birth of the United Nations. He served, as politicians ought to do—to the best of his ability.
It's been said reading enables us to live many lives. I think that's true. There's a unique feeling you encounter when racing through the final pages, eager to finish, but at the same time, dreading it being over. It can be emotional finishing a book, and it stimulates the mind, but I feel it's also almost a spiritual experience, especially when transversing the barrier of time and communing with the dead.
Thank you for your incredible service President Truman. And thank you David McCullough for writing a wonderful book.
Life with Sweat
Life is better with sweat. We are more sedentary now than ever in our species history. Maybe all the sensed division out there can be solved with regular exercise. When we work out we release endorphins and feel better. What if it is that simple?
Collective Musings
My purpose is to contribute… what is our purpose? Is it to procreate? To spread love into the universe?
We are figuring it out as a species. For thousands of years we weren’t able to break the barriers of tribe and culture. Today, with our technology and knowledge, it’s possible.
Any perceived differences are subtle on this grand stage. Have we evolved enough to understand that, to harness the power we possess?
That is our collective purpose in today’s world: to raise global consciousness on this planet, to unite humanity…and to emanate love.
Ethereal Green
Have you ever paused to admire the translucent green of a leaf in the shining sun? It’s incredibly beautiful, otherworldly even.
Plants possess this amazing ability to use chlorophyll and sustain themselves solely with light. It’s something we can’t do. Their very cells are different from ours.
Sometimes the seemingly smallest things can spark joy. When we’re still, we don’t need to go looking for wonder—we recognize it’s all around us.
Common Wisdom
The great religions, the well known doctrines, and grandmothers’ advice worldwide all share one characteristic in common: consideration. It’s what separates us as a species, the ability to think and see beyond ourselves. It is the only thing that will empower us to continue to evolve.
Animal Living
It’s always different living with animals. When you live with other species like dogs or cats your perspective somehow dehumanizes. You see the weather as it is, conditions at your current place on Earth, rather than how it might affect human activities. You can view the day in terms of work, play, feeding and rest, like they do. It makes you consider how we’re living, and helps ensure you’re valuing the right things in life. It’s an incredible experience, this life on planet Earth.
Feeling Good
I’ve focused on my fitness this year, and I have to say I feel great. Life is better when you’re healthy and in shape.
When we feel our best we can do great things. Part of the whole “look good feel good play good” philosophy I grew up with.
What if improving our world, doing good things for our world, merely comes down to more of us feeling better?
Summer Moment
The heat of summer is always a turning point. The first half of the year has passed, and we either look forward to the back half or live in the moment. We can prepare for what’s to come, but we can’t live in the future.
With children out of school and all the fun events and travel, summer is the easiest time for us to embrace the moment. Can our species see itself while in this moment?
Satisfaction and Fulfillment
One of the challenges of living in the Bay Area is the prevalence of inordinate wealth. You may easily question if you’re “doing well” when surrounded by so much of it.
Which is why fulfillment and satisfaction are better metrics. They’re the real indicators of happiness. Are we satisfied? Are we fulfilled?
Elections 76 Years Apart
In January 1948, nobody thought Harry Truman could win reelection. Almost every single poll counted him out, all the news media counted him out, even his political party counted him out. And yet through determination and a deep belief in what’s right, after touring nearly the entire country, he won.
This is not 1948. And obviously Joe Biden is not Harry Truman. It doesn’t appear a Truman candidate will emerge this election cycle. Most Americans seem unhappy with both major candidates. So what will we do? What will the great citizens of the United States demand of their representatives in 2024? How will we self-govern?
The power lies with us.
These Political Times
And it all changes again. I had a feeling something would happen while away and disconnected in Yosemite. Books will be written about this time in political history. And while everyone seems to have hot takes, the summer succession of the Presidential debate, the Trump assassination attempt, and now Biden's drop out of the election is unprecedented.
It seems like a long time until November, in which a lot can still happen. It's our responsibility as citizens of this country to continue to voice our opinions and to demand change and transparency from our representatives. Information is available to ordinary citizens as never before; the time is now to choose the direction of our country. Who do we want to lead us? Because that's truly our choice, not the Democratic or Republican parties.
We enjoy incredible rights and freedoms in this country. They come with responsibilities. Let's act on behalf of them.
Birthday Observations
Waking up in Yosemite for your birthday’s not a bad way to go. Some observations from the woods:
it’s possible to look graceful setting up a tent
we enjoy just this brief glimpse of time during our lives compared to the geological timescales of this planet
the mountains and woods restore you soul - we should visit them more often
watching children play in the river reinforces they’re the future of our species
driving is hard for humans
it feels really good to shower after camping for three days
Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on the planet
I go into a new year of life full of hope and with many aspirations. I want to learn to cook more things. I want to keep reading and prioritizing exercise. But most of all, I want to renew my focus of contribution, of giving to the world. I foresee big things coming in 2024-2025 for TAV. Stay tuned.
National Parks for All
When this is published I’ll be hiking a trail or basking in the Merced River.
I implore those who haven’t been to visit Yosemite, to see our national parks. They are one of America’s greatest features.
When we appreciate our open, wild places, we can all come together as one species on one rock.
We are lucky to inhabit such a beautiful place, beyond our wildest imagination.
Into the Woods
Today I head into the woods. More specifically, we return to my favorite place on the planet: Yosemite Valley.
I look forward to what we all need: an occasional disconnect, a mental refresh and a spiritual reset.
Here’s to communing with nature and seeking oneness with Mother Earth.
Friendship Today
True love might bring the greatest happiness in life, but friendship also significantly contributes to a fulfilling life.
Seeing friends often is important.
We couldn’t do that during the pandemic, and it feels like it happens less often now with our devices and virtual worlds.
Everybody needs a friend.
Balancing Attention
The man as a person aside, I often think about Dr. Seuss’ line, “life is a great balancing act.” It’s a simple yet wise statement.
We can pursue success in multiple arenas in life, but excelling in all of them seems impossible. We have to choose what we give our attention to.
Almost all of us choose love or vocation. When we look at it that way, we’re much more similar than we are different.
Things I am not
I could be blind. I could have nothing to eat. I could be alone. But I’m not.
I try to appreciate simple facts such as these each morning, to spur feelings of gratefulness.
Because life is beautiful.
Simple Dinners
Life goes on, and keeps going on. As the years pass I’ve realized my fondest memories are often simple dinners with friends or family. It’s the people in our lives that matter. If we remember that, we’ll treat strangers better, and the world will be a better place. The goings on will be more memorable.
American Baseball
Nothing like a summer baseball game to make you feel American. Hot dogs, balls and strikes, the National Anthem.
There are many things we can enjoy together as a nation. We only need to look at what’s right in front of us.