That’s What You Like?

One of our kids dislikes vegetables. This week, I heard a surprising comment about a particular fruit, one that we’ve been buying for years. Apparently, now blueberries are the enemy. In fact, our vegetable-intolerant child called them “sweet peas.” Nice. No wonder we have seven boxes of blueberries in the fridge. I’m hoping fruit preferences change soon, but in the meantime, we’d better find a few blueberry recipes. Whatever we dislike today could very well become our favorite thing tomorrow. One day, these guys may grow to love this:    

                                     https://youtu.be/O0pPIo-ksS0

Some of these items were foreign to me, too, but refer to last week’s blog post for my overall perspective. It takes time to adapt to new tastes, and as time passes, our preferences change. Think about something you dislike. Can you see yourself growing to like and appreciate it in the future?  

The Secret Life

I enjoy most international foods, but I love Indian food. Whenever we visit an Indian restaurant or get take-out, I get a little euphoric inhaling the curry and cumin  seasonings. Anticipating the delicious flavors turns my eyes into swirly spirals like a animated character. Bet you didn’t know Indian food brought that kind of joy.  

Look closely and you’ll find joyful moments in unexpected places. We look for it in major events, but it’s often found in life’s small spaces. Try to appreciate little moments, like this one:

                                         https://youtu.be/2oZhH4ifqDo

We think we need a lot of money and resources to be happy. Not true. We just have to appreciate the special moments that come our way every day. What’s the one joy-filled moment that cost you nothing?     

One Day at a Time

Once we think we understand a situation is the moment the surprising, true facts emerge.  As the school year draws to a quick close, one of our kids commented how time flew and that school should continue for at least another month. What? By June, most students, parents, and teachers yearn for the end of the long routine. Throughout the year, our child complains about studying and school-related inconveniences that interrupt web-surfing and other important activities, so it was bewildering to hear a call for more school days. Time is a peculiar thing, and our perspective of it changes depending on who (or what) we are and where we stand. Have a listen:       

                                         https://youtu.be/Bc-YpWBxsHU

No wonder flies escape us so easily and so often. Imagine how life would change if we perceived time differently. Even now, dangerous close calls demonstrate how our reaction times can make the difference between life and death. What situation is moving too fast for you right now, and what would you do now if you knew you would run out of time this week?     

Say You'll Let Go

One of the most annoying things while driving on a rainy day is encountering a wall of water from the opposite lane that temporarily obstructs your view. The number of down pours we’re getting makes it feel like we’re moving backwards, a redo. Here we come, April! Scientist haven’t succeeded in traveling to the past, but consider this idea:

                                         https://youtu.be/CFWmqMvr3bc

 These experiments require careful thought. It’s an intriguing concept, but have we learned nothing from Jurassic Park? Besides, our global warming situation doesn’t support their living conditions. Some people celebrate the past, hearkening back to the good ole days, and missing things from long ago. What do you miss about the past, but more importantly, why?  

Something Almost Like This

On Mother’s Day, I spotted an interesting sight on a busy road. A superhero, decked out in a yellow and red costume and mask, high-tailed it uphill on a bicycle. I’m sure he was hurrying off to visit his mother because superheroes always do the right thing. Everybody loves heroes. In these unconventional times, we need more superheroes to watch over folks and rescue them from their troubles. Watch what this designer does:

                                     https://youtu.be/Cl8ijPGEKO8

 Given the right opportunity, regular people can be amazing. Heroes are the humble souls who do what’s necessary at the perfect, critical moment. Superheroes are uniquely equipped with special powers, who wait for the chance to step into our chaotic situations. If you needed saving, what power would you want your superhero to possess?

That's What You Want?

The other day someone said to me, “in my time zone…,” which sounded puzzling since we live in the same neighborhood. Basically, they meant to say, “according to my clock” because they set it fifteen minutes fast. Lots of people do that. If those people joined together, they might try to establish a new time zone, a subcategory within the Eastern Standard zone. It feels like we’re moving in that direction. Believe and do whatever you want. The current climate says if it’s okay with me, it should be fine with you. See how you feel about this:

                                     https://youtu.be/WtewmJ78hzw

We’re faced with tons of issues and just as many solutions. Some ideas will work, but other ones will waste our time, generating pointless arguments and dead-end alleys. How do you avoid conflict when someone else's opinion differs from your viewpoint?   

What Are You Listening To?

Some sounds make us pause and reflect. Growing up, I often heard a train’s whistle in the wee hours of the night. It always had a melancholy, Midnight-Train-to-Georgia feeling, echoing a traveler’s reluctant good-bye. Earlier this week, I heard the train whistle from the neighborhood station and got that melancholy feeling again. As if there aren’t enough sounds here, there’s this:

                   

                                     https://youtu.be/k3eNVD_h5b0

We spend tons of time and money trying to understand what’s happening in other places, especially in space. Most alien movies feature space creatures bent on destroying us and taking over Earth. While Hollywood urges us locate and crush hostile outer space creatures, scientists continue looking skyward, wondering if we’re all alone. Do you think we’re alone in the universe?