MIND
Coming Out of the Cave
Jan 29th
Well, after being locked up in the house sick for the past week (with the exception of two 1.5 hour excursions) I emerged this morning ready to conquer the world. OK…not really “conquer”. And, not really “the world”. But I could walk upright without my head exploding and without rendering a cough that makes small children cry. That said, there was a bit of a spring in my step that I lacked just a few days ago.
You see, for me to be confined to the house for a day makes me a little gloomy. Two days – irritable. Three or more days sends me on a downward spiral toward a state of Eeyore-ness. (Yes, the donkey from Winnie the Pooh.) So, getting out of the house today offered me the opportunity to get some life back into my bones. Of course, it’s cold and rainy, so maybe I didn’t get as much life as I wanted, but it’s better than it was.
I got out of my cave, but then I realized something. It was a self-created cave. There is nothing miserable about our house – actually, it’s a great house. Sure, I was sick, but it’s possible to be sick and happy. I got to spend most of those days with my wife and baby. I didn’t have many responsibilities to worry about (a luxury only afforded to those who are sick) and I had lots of time to think or dream about whatever I wanted to. Instead, I chose to go to an unhealthy, gloomy place where dreams for the future, hope for today and even the whispers of the Almighty choose not to tread (or where I choose not to see and hear them).
Nevertheless, I went there, but now I’m back. From outer space. And…um…I will survive. 
Here’s to all of you who have had or are having similar cave experiences. Go outside, take a deep breath and remind yourself that your cave is your own creation. Go deconstruct it!
Bjarke Ingels and His Mountains
Sep 16th
Woah…this whole thing is great, but check out the “Seven Peaks of Azerbaijan” starting at about 15:00 into the video. If and when they get this thing completed, I have to go see it. (Now accepting donations)
Wise Guys
Sep 14th
“It is this western desire to consume that is is the primary driver of organized crime” – Misha Glenny
Misha Glenny, explaining how the ingenuity and business acumen of mafia organizations has allowed them to prosper even in tough economic times, makes me wonder why all the smartest guys end up being criminals. What if some of these great minds were at work for God – figuring out the most effective ways of spreading the gospel, instead of spreading drugs and prostitution?
Have We Become Too Arrogant?
Aug 31st
In one of the more dry TED Talks I’ve seen, Cary Fowler discusses his ideas about the need for biodiversity and his work to preserve it. However, as I listen to Cary, I wonder if we’ve become so arrogant that we think that the only solution to the world’s problems is for us (human beings) to “fix it”. Granted, we do our part to mess it up, but is the way to avoid agricultural extinction really to take one of everything and put it into a frozen hole in the ground? It seems odd to me. Then again, I’m reminded that Noah was called upon to perform a very similar act for the animal population. Maybe Cary Fowler is the new Noah!
Make an Impulse Give
Aug 8th
In this video, Emmanuel Jal explains his mission to raise awareness of the struggles of children who, like him, are growing up in war-torn villages in Africa. As you watch this video, I would encourage you to do something that might just be un-American. You see, every day in this country, we make impulse buys. That’s why there’s all that candy and all those gizmos at every cash register.
Impulse buys, small and large, help drive our economy. But it’s a different impulse that will drive the economy of these children – the impulse give. The impulse give is different from the impulse buy because of what you get in return. Some would say that when you give, you get nothing in return. I would argue that a much greater return awaits those who give than those who buy.
So, as you watch this video, I would encourage you to click this link and impulse give to GUA Africa. I don’t know how much good my donation will do, but I know it felt right to do it. I hope you do the same.
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