Who’s A Believer?

Maybe Sharknado wasn’t so far-fetched. No, actually it was. Each of the sequels rated higher on the outrageous scale, and a situation like the one in Mexico might have initiated the whole thing. This week, townspeople in Tamaulipas reported how it rained fish. Scientists backed up their story, admitting that this phenomenon has happened in the past. A waterspout catches fish up in the air, blows onshore, and shocks everyone by depositing fish onto roadways in town. Compare this story to Sharknado:       

                                         https://youtu.be/JSHYNfb5Ppw

As unbelievable as Sharknado looked, raining fish is a real thing. Given the amount of fake news flying around, it’s difficult to tell what’s true and what’s not. Sometimes we rely on experts or scientist to convince us of the truth, other times it’s friends and Facebook. How do we decide what’s true? What’s the most incredible, true story you’ve heard lately?      

Inside You

Manufacturers realize if their product is great, people will flock to it. That’s probably why  many people bought the same vehicle that we did. While that’s good for the for company, it’s not as wonderful for us because we keep encountering the same situation.

One day, after leaving the store, we headed toward our van in the parking lot. I unlocked the vehicle and all three of us tugged at the handle of a different door. For some reason, not one door opened. Peering inside the vehicle make everything crystal clear—it wasn’t our van. To make the situation even more ridiculous, as we hurried away from a stranger’s car, my one child yelled, “Abort, abort” as if we had failed at some wicked master plan. Any two or more things that look the same on the outside can be surprisingly different on the inside. Take a look:

                                     https://youtu.be/3UNMdZLXj6Y

Three-year-olds may appear similar in size, but after a few conversations with one, you’ll understand how different they can be, especially with someone like Alexis. We often make snap judgments about people, putting them in the boxes we think they should inhabit until we dig a little deeper to discover who they are and what they think. During ordinary conversations, what surprising detail might someone learn about you?    

Do Something Different

Few adults would pass up an opportunity for a good catnap or a restful night’s sleep. I’m always interested in both, so my odd-story-antennae perked up when I spotted an article about a man who lived to age ninety-six—and never slept. Born in the 1800’s, Albert Herpin shunned the circus exhibition circuit to hold a job and lead an uneventful and somewhat isolated life. It’s a remarkable story, but I need more facts to believe it because doctors never stated that Herpin didn’t sleep with his eyes open. Getting to the truth can be difficult. See if you believe this:

                                                https://youtu.be/bsL7u8qosTM

Humans are incredible creatures. Most of us function the same, but every so often we discover someone who can’t sleep, can’t wake up, or does astonishing things while hovering somewhere in between. What if everyone lived ordinary lives during the day and became superheroes, accomplished artists, or someone extraordinary at night? Maybe it’s possible to live an extraordinary life during the day. What’s the easiest way for you to become out-of-this-world awesome?         

Herpin story appeared in Courier Post & Weird NJ Magazine

Your True Colors

Black clothing never goes out of style, but every year there’s another color to fill in the popular saying (blank) is the new black. According to fashion experts, red is the trending color for this fall. I don’t know how they pick the season’s top color, but they manage to convince us that we’re of date unless we fill our closets with whatever color the “experts” choose.

Situations used to be either black or white back when we thought we knew who we were, what we believed in, and how to navigate the world. As social issues become grayer, it’s important to pause and reconsider what we see and believe. Take look:

                                         https://youtu.be/2Lyc6DJ69To

If the current culture leaves you baffled or confused, revisit your core beliefs. When you look in the mirror, how do your true colors translate into your motto for living?    

What the Other Side Sees

The word “mush” used to remind me of either overcooked foods or an arctic dog sled, but now I associate it with another image. This week, I spotted a large man wearing skates, rolling along while two small dogs pulled him down the street. To top it off, he flicked the leash to keep the dogs moving. I’ve seen people exercise their dogs while riding a bike, but an arctic dog sled scene in the neighborhood is a different story. Expect to encounter anything on the street, even something like this:

                                         https://youtu.be/1K5SycZjGhI

 Our perspectives develop from upbringing, environment, and experiences. Labeling something “different” simply means it’s not your normal. What different perspective are you struggling to understand?