Saturday, July 30, 2016

The Fruit of the Matter


We’ve had an unspectacular season for fruit, so imagine my surprise when I picked up the juiciest plum of the year. After one bite, juice ricocheted off the paper towel and splashed all over my shoulder. How does that happen? When it comes to fruit, you never know what you’ll get. Have a look:

                                         https://youtu.be/ik3l4U_17bI

There’s an artistic quality to this science experiment, but the Frankenstein nature of it overwhelms its beauty. Someone once said you’ll know a person by their fruits, meaning you’ll understand who they are based on their character and actions. Unlike Prof. Sam’s project, it’s natural for us to be multi-faceted. But if you had to squeeze the core of your character into one sentence, what would you say?   


Saturday, July 23, 2016

In the Middle of It


The calendar says we’re at or beyond summer vacation’s half-way point. This is the perfect season to add balance back into our lives by relaxing, taking up new activities, or enrolling in classes and learning something new. Summer is the time to push forward and shore up areas we’ve neglected. You’ll be fascinated by how people spend their summers, Take a look:   
                                         https://youtu.be/4x70J9lj4Bc

The father who spoke probably has kids who thought they’d spend the summer playing Paintball and Capture the Flag, as you can see, camp counselors had other activities in mind. Fun, combined with purposeful activity, keeps us moving in the right direction. Our bodies crave balance and we can feel off-kilter when we forget to nourish our minds, bodies, and souls. Now’s a great time to reassess our sense of wholeness. What do you do to stay centered?      

Thursday, July 14, 2016

When the Floods Come


Let’s call this season the Summer of the Deluge. We used to feel a few drops of rain and have  time to run for cover, but things have changed. This year, after a few drops fall, you think you have plenty of time to make it to take safety and then—bam! You’re drenched! Pair that with the constant stream of weather stories about massive flooding and it feels like we should be preparing for the next massive flood. Although this guy’s not expecting a second epic water catastrophe, he replicated the perfect structure to hide in. Take a look:  
                                         https://youtu.be/g0eUcE0GPw8   

Imagine two million people adding this tourist attraction to their bucket lists. Maybe the builder nailed the dimensions, but is the structure seaworthy? In tough times, certain people, places, and things may feel like solutions to our problems, but how well do they actually work? Where do you run when life feels overwhelming?      

Friday, July 8, 2016

Unsteady But Still Standing


After hearing my complaints about how the face of my watch twisted and how my cell phone flips to weather forecasts for places I’ve visited instead of where I am, someone suggested that I might be an alien. I’m not convinced that’s the reason for what’s happening because topsy-turvy things are happening elsewhere, too. Take a look:

                                         https://youtu.be/Zv4CUzIX5yY

In one study, published in Nature World News, scientists discovered that the disappearance of "informed elder" fish disrupted the group’s regular migration route. Their absence left the group unschooled. A surprising finding, and yet, not really. Traditionally, we’ve looked to our knowledgeable elders to do the mentoring, but what happens when they don’t or can’t? Sometimes, it feels like we’re poised at a crossroad. Despite terrorism, Brexit, and social unrest, what assures you that all’s well?    






Saturday, July 2, 2016

Beauty During the Storm


I don’t like the beach. Maybe I’m overdramatizing my dislike for the annoying sand that invades every nook and cranny. After a trip to the shore, you’ll find sand in your car, tucked into the fibers of your swim suit, and lurking in the bottom of your beach bag. It takes forever to clean up.

But during a recent vacation, I spent a surprisingly pleasant day at Daytona Beach. When a storm blew in, I marveled at how the angry, slate-colored sky met the placid, green water at the horizon. When the downpour drenched our swimsuits, we scurried to safety beneath a bridge until the storm passed, and within minutes, we were back in the ocean.

The water was my silver lining. Normally, the ocean offers an unending series of waves, and with the approaching storm, I expected rough surfs. On this particular afternoon, the water was calm and clear enough to see the little fish that occasionally leaped into the air. If you look closely, you’ll spot the silver lining in most situations, like this one:  
                                     https://youtu.be/kwMXEPGFc14

Although the news bombards us with videos and updates on the latest horrors from here and abroad, even Anne Frank learned not to think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remained. If she could focus on beauty, we can, too. In these turbulent times, what’s your silver lining?