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Energizer
A friend recently asked whether I believed time and energy were finite. My immediate and admittedly non-scientific response was yes and no–in that order. I have written here before about the finite nature of time in our daily lives comparing it to the limitations of a pie. But is energy different? The language we use around energy is certainly different. Like batteries, we can feel energized or drained. Each conversation or even wordless exchange has a plus or minus effect on our energy level. There are people we seek out and people we avoid. We do this instinctively based on how we feel during and after engaging with them. Interacting with certain humans charges us up. They bring us stories and ideas.…
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Bug Days
“Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug.” – Mary Chapin Carpenter Try as we might, there are some things you can’t prepare for or change…life altering events that catch you off guard like a well-aimed snow ball. Everyone’s windshields are different. It would be nice to say that you only get one in life; but on some days they come hourly. Bug days. I would also like to report that I handle these moments with transcendent grace and aplomb, displaying a Zen-like acceptance of my new windshield circumstances. That has not been my experience. My first reaction is usually denial, followed closely with a desire to flee. After several moments of internal negotiation, I…
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Short Cuts
“Genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.” – Thomas A. Edison Both humble and profound, Edison’s quote contains a daunting universal truth about what it takes for a person to be remarkable. There are no short cuts to greatness. The poet or musician first internalizes the rules of their craft in order to artfully break them. Professional athletes work tirelessly to build the endurance and muscle memory that allow them to perform effortlessly under extreme conditions. Scientists painstakingly repeat experiments to prove their hypotheses. Yet in the face of countless examples, there appears a corollary to Edison’s truth…or maybe it’s just human nature. We look for short cuts. Why? For one thing, sometimes it works. Sort of. That’s why there are…
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Forgiveness
In an age of an eye for an eye, holding grudge or exacting revenge can feel like a right–maybe even a duty. You hurt me, and I will show you… Whether on the national stage or across the kitchen table, this same thinking can exist. Some time ago I learned to ask myself this question, when does losing my temper ever make things better? When faced with a betrayal, feeling threatened or maybe just incredibly frustrated…when my instincts tell me to lash out, I remember the question. When does losing my temper ever make things better? The answer is never. On occasion, it is helpful for me to play the tape all the way…
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Choosers
Turkey and football on Thursday, early bird sales on Friday, supporting small businesses on Saturday. This is a weekend that is full of shared experiences. Or is it? Are the activities described universal? Or are they simply an easy way to categorize how some people choose to spend their time on Thanksgiving weekend? A tradition denotes an experience that is repeated. Oftentimes the implication is that the experience is also shared by many. However, in a world with billions of people and thousands of cultures, projecting a one-size-fits-most tradition is arguably absurd. Looking at the other 360 odd days of the year, traditions don’t exist only on holidays. Our daily lives are filled rituals. With their frequency, they become invisible–like the water in…
