The Necessity of Interaction

     The day started out much like many of my days off. I slept in. The morning was slow, but not unproductive. Had a good breakfast and savored slowly creeping into the day. I enjoyed some tea and online chatting with a few friends, but pretty soon it happened.

Inspiration crept in...

     Yes, I could feel it. In a second I decided the plans for my now half-day before me. In another thirty minutes I was ready. Out of the house and on the road. I know that it is damaging to the environment, but I do love driving my car! The freedom of the open road and the pleasure of listening to my favorite Podcast. The familiar road passed beneath me as my mind filled with new ideas and stories. Then...the canyon. I know this canyon very well. Every turn and corresponding jog in the river are as familiar as the lines in the letters of my name. So, I know exactly where I am going...
     One of my favorite trail heads. Yes, it is extremely popular, but no less beautiful. I roll into a packed parking lot that almost makes me turn away, but then I find a parking spot and soon find myself well on my way up the trail. Now, I am a native Coloradoan who hikes as much as possible. Every path I take, one thing remains the same:

Hikers are incredibly friendly and often talkative.

     I love this fact. Today, it was the three generations of a family from southern Texas. The four of us chatted on the easy part of the trail, but mom and grandma took their leave on the more difficult part. So, what began as a friendly chat turned into hiking with a new friend. A young man from Texas, living in Louisiana, and looking for a job. As we climbed upward, we chatted about college majors and the reality of not using them. We swapped success/failure stories of navigating the job market. It was great to have a companion on the trail. Soon, however, my Colorado lungs beat out his recent concussion and we parted ways. The rest of the trail afforded both beauty and friendly faces. My "breaks" on the hike were spent chatting with whomever came along.
     I love that the social walls come down when we are all in nature. I think that the playing field gets leveled when we are all out on the trail. When we are experiencing the beauty of the natural world. It is refreshing to be able to interact and build each other up.
     I often underestimate the value and impact of true human interaction. Really connecting with people is amazing and always uplifting. My evening was spent having the place to myself. It is nice when this happens, but...tonight just didn't feel right. After a unique day of connection, an evening of solitude was rather lonely. Usually I like to have this time to reflect and find some peace. Yet, tonight one strong nagging thought hangs over me: am I missing something? I mean, is there some big event that is keeping everyone else occupied? That seems to come with feeling a little lonely. There is just that little desire to have someone around to talk with--interact with. Oh, well.

There is tea. There is good music. There is inspiration. 

There is a cozy bed.

My Dear Friend Autumn

     May to September. The long days and hot months of summer have felt lethargic. The bright sun falls upon everything with an oppressive harshness. I worked and traveled. Went to five weddings. I had many stressful days that were balanced out by relaxing days in a hammock. Heat kept the days feeling sluggish and tedious, yet here is September and Autumn approaching our doorsteps.

Wait...

     As I went in to work today, the wind felt different. There was a coolness in the air. I stood for a moment and listened to the wind in the trees. The sun shone brightly, but did not burn the land. Some clouds drift by, the leaves rustle, and the breeze causes me to...shiver. I actually shivered! Well, Autumn may have been approaching the door last time we looked, but look again. The season has slipped through the door when we were not looking and just about made itself at home. Many are lamenting the end of summer and the warm days. Not me.
     I know Autumn so well. She is an old friend that has come to visit. Not an uninvited intruder, but a welcome friend who lets herself in and puts the kettle on. Even now, with just the first signs of Autumn upon us, I can feel my mind awakening. The heavy, lethargic trance that summer put me in has been broken. I am recovering and finding my old inspirations. The creativity will begin to flow again.
     It is time for a change. So, I am grateful to see Autumn again. She is a dear friend to gently stir me from my days of napping in the sun. She brings cool days and bountiful harvests. She beckons me to a cozy table to share a pot of tea and says "Long time. Let's talk."

Yes. Let's talk.

Things Get Moving

     Life can leave you breathless sometimes. Both meanings of this phrase are implied here. There are moments, people, and places that can stun you and leave you in a total state of awe and wonder. Yes, life can take your breath away and leave you blissful. Yet, it can also literally take your breath away -- as in leaving you huffing and puffing because everything is just moving to fast. There is too much going on and not much time between things. All you can do is struggle to keep up.

     Of course, there is a calm before every storm. Before the events of life happen, we are given time to prepare. Oh, how we squander that time away! Our anxious anticipation gets the better of us and we take little time to truly prepare. We want the waiting to end quickly -- the time must go faster. And then...it is here and gone! Life caught up to our eager anticipation and then left us too quickly. Before we know it, we are neck-deep in responsibilities, events, and tasks. Whether we try to speed up or stall, things will get moving just as quickly. Life takes little notice of our eager pleas or our cries for mercy. It moves as it will. 

So, when life gets moving -- just breath and go along for the ride.

Passing Days and Living

     Looking back over a week, I discover that there exist gaps in my memory. Try as I might, I struggle to remember exactly what I did in the previous several days. Time is funny like that. I know that I was awake and doing many things, but I am not sure that I could tell you what they were. I know that I worked a little and prepared meals. I shared time with friends and found time to bury my nose in a book. I recall playing games and listening to music. Maybe even being outside and enjoying the sunny weather...or did it rain and snow?
     Yet, I have no regrets. I do not worry over not being able to recall this time. There is no sorrow or feelings of lost time. I simply realize that life took control and led me where it wished. I ate, worked, played, and slept. I was happy and down. Energetic and worn out. Sometimes you just need to go with the natural flow of life. You will accomplish what you can. You will meet who you should. And you will live your days and the days are meant to be lived.

No sorrow over lost time because there is no such thing as lost time.

Exhaustion and Results

     You toil all day. In the weather and with heavy tools. It is a big project that you have committed your time to. You labor and push yourself until the sun dips low in the sky. Then you wipe the sweat from your brow and the dust from your hands. A good day's work, you think to yourself. But as you carry your now heavy body homeward, you have to wonder about that thought. Muscles are weary and joints are tired. Your mind is foggy, but you must get home, get food, and then rest. Yes, you have completely exhausted yourself.

     At this point, by all means rest and give your weary body what it longs for. But also realize that all this exhaustion is not in vain. The are always results. Sure, there is the progress on your project. The actual physical labor that you completed is a clear sign that you are weary for a reason. There are also unseen results. When you are so tired and worn, your true thoughts and emotions will surface. Your fake fronts and walls come crashing down and you are truly revealed. This may be publicly or only to yourself. Either way you will find that in your mind-weary state, some fascinating revelations will surface. Take them for what they are and don't overreact. You may need to learn a lesson. You may need to confide in someone or even set a wrong right. Or you just may need to let go.

May the rewards of your toils be all yours.

Living Simply

     I love to wake up slowly and peacefully. My alarm was set, but I was gently woken by the warm caress of sunshine through the window and the sound of birds chirping. I breath deep and sit up in my modest bed. My room is small, but I do not require much space. Wash up, get dressed, and head downstairs - it is time to start the day. A good breakfast and a cup of tea get me ready for a day of good work.

     I didn't have internet or TV. I didn't worry about my appearance or what I was wearing. I worked and shared meals. My hands got dirty and I grew tired. Tasks were crossed off the list. It was an incredibly fulfilling day. And yet I am baffled by this. I didn't have all the luxuries that I am used to and spent most of the day doing manual labor. But by the time we called it quits, I was still happy and at peace. No matter the weather or change in plans. We worked and got through a day - simple as that. Nothing to cloud my mind or distract me. I was in nature and very aware of my surroundings. I had all that I needed and I now find myself at the end of the day - satisfied and free of regrets. Life can be that simple.

Watch out for clutter in your days. We need little more than food and community.

Settle In

     A new space. A new place to lay my head and pass the days. And most of all, a new place to store my stuff. I always start with arranging the big items in a space to fit my liking. Then I can fill every cranny and nook with my belongings. Stash a little there and set something out here. Fill that blank wall with something. The contents of my little car have now exploded out into my new space. I have made the once foreign space all my own.
     It occurs to me that humans are nesting creatures. We have our spaces and our belongings. We put everything in its proper place and work to create a comfortable setting. It is not that we lack resilience - we are fully capable of adapting. Our technology and advancements have made it possible for us to create spaces and to change our habitats. So, we nest and settle into our spaces. Part of our character is imprinted on our dwellings. All this so that we may call these spaces home. A place to return to and remember. A comfort when needed - a refuge in the storm.

Settle and find comfort - both in space and people.

Packing Away Stuff

     If you were to look around your room, chances are that you have a fair amount of stuff in it. We tend to collect stuff -- both necessities and simple joys. We surround ourselves with these objects and make our dwelling space comfortable. Sometimes we even get our identity wrapped up in our possessions. After all, it is our stuff. We can feel tied to it and where we keep it -- so much so that we feel that we can not live without our stuff. We collect it, store it, and protect it. The possessions we keep are our lives.

     But have you ever had to move? Can you picture what it takes to transport all the stuff of your life from where you are to a new place entirely? Sorting through everything and then packing it away into boxes and bags. Being careful and meticulous with your most valuable and dear possessions. Stuffing the clothes and shoes where you can. Throwing and shoving the odds and ends that you find at the end of the move into any place for the trip. Once everything is packed away in the car or truck, there is an odd moment. You can breathe. All that stuff is out of sight and, most likely, out of reach. You will find that you are not needing any of it at that very moment. You are alive and getting along just fine without having access to every little thing that you own. We need to realize that we have possessions merely for their comfort or entertainment. There is actually very little that we need to live our lives.

So, pack away the stuff of life and enjoy life.

Washed Clean

     I love rain showers. The large dark clouds roll in and the rumbling of thunder can be heard. The first drops of rain speckle the roadways and sidewalks. Soon everything has been lightly touched by the sprinkling drops. The rain picks up and builds into a steady shower. The water washes over the trees and buildings. It streams down the window panes as I watch. The world outside is being washed clean.
     As I sit and gaze, I find myself longing to be washed along with everything else. I would love to just have the rain wash away the stresses and and the occasional pain of life. All the dirt and grime that collects -- doubts, shame, sickness, weariness, uncertainness... To be cleansed and healed by a refreshing shower of water. Rather than run out the door and get soaked to the bone, I curl up with a cup of tea and watch the gentle shower out the window. This peaceful moment will have to be as close to the rain as I come. So I take time to reflect on the things I wish to be rid of and then let them go. It may feel like the dirt of life is clinging to me, but actually I am clinging onto it. I am holding tightly to all the stress and trouble -- not even knowing why. So, I let the tea and the rain relax my grip. Just let them go.

Allow for those peaceful and cleansing moments.

Old Familiar Habits

     It is incredible to me that no matter how much time passes, some habits will always feel natural. The routines of an old job or activity. The trees and turns of a favorite hiking trail. The handling of a favorite, familiar car. The feel of a comfortable bed and the sounds of house at night. It is not merely growing accustomed to these little details. It is more making them a part of our memories and our identities. They become so much a part of us that we can walk right back to them after any length of time.
     Returning to these familiar habits or activities feels like returning home. I never think of it as falling into ruts or boring routines. No, more of realizing and defining your own identity. Feeling that you have a place in this world -- even if you only feel that way when in certain places or doing certain things. Everything else is just adventure.

Enjoy the familiar, cozy moments. Be ready for the more adventurous ones.

Moving On Down The Road

     Life is unpredictable and keeps us moving. One opportunity ends just in time for another to begin. This is normal and often pretty beneficial. However, the refreshing change of pace is often accompanied by some transition time. A little bit of downtime and even a move to make. While this can feel like very hectic and unsettling time, it is a perfect time to prepare for the next big thing. Get everything in order and make sure that you can start off on the right foot. A little well-used prep time can make a transition painless and really put you into a balanced mental state. So, pack up and hit the road if you need -- just make sure to take time to process and prepare.

Be thankful for what you have experienced and get ready for what is ahead.

Relax, Rest, Return

     We all have our moments -- good and bad. There are days that just won't quite come together. Plans run aground and try as you might, your interactions just don't feel right. We make mistakes and we falter. We are human and must allow for that.
     So when these things happen, it is important to be alright with them. Relax and cut yourself some slack. Stressing and beating yourself up will only make you feel worse. Why do that? Also, it is nice to seek comfort in a wonderful loved one. Avoid the tendencies to hole up and shut everything out. Close, trusted interaction is good medicine. Take some time to rest and recover from your mistakes or your day. We can only run at full speed for so long. When something goes wrong, you can't just keep going. You need to stop, take it slow and allow yourself to regenerate. Trying to just work through will leave you more ragged and frustrated. Rest and know that it is time well spent. We are resilient -- we just need time.
     Once you have recovered and feel better about things, get back out there! It can be daunting to step right back into a situation after things don't go well. But you must take things on again. Don't feel intimidated. Come back to your routines with confidence and and a lesson learned. Know that you are capable and that you have taken time to allow you to move on. We must never let our faltering moments scare us into a corner, where we avoid interactions and taking chances. You have more abilities and knowledge than you think -- don't let the world out there keep you from exploring.

Our faults and weaknesses are only opportunities to learn and grow.

Give A Little Now, Get A Little More Later

     We are a society of instant gratification. Buy it now because it is the newest thing and you gotta have it. Waiting is not our style. Too often we rush our lives -- we rush decisions, service, and our work. This mad dash to get things moving usually gets us sloppy results. If we could just discipline ourselves into being patient with life, we might find that we can progress much further than expected. Our initial investment to wait a little, hold out a little longer, or work a little harder will pay off big in the end. We may not always get what we want and when we want it, but we will be richly rewarded for our patience. Let things occur at their own pace and do not  stress over any minor hardships. The long hours, the distance between loved ones, and the little bit of waiting will allow us to be ready and to appreciate what comes our way.

Plan for the long road ahead and your destination will be that much sweeter to reach.

Craving Challenges

     We are not meant to be stagnant. We need to work and create -- we need challenges. Something to set our sights on and dedicate ourselves to. It is quite easy to become complacent and settle into a comfortable routine. This, however, will only leave us dull and lazy. Our physical and intellectual abilities need to be exercised. The need is obvious for physical exercise -- muscles and joints need motion and use to be kept in working order. As for intellectual exercise, this can be easily overlooked. Yet, spend one day with little to stimulate your mind and you will definitely notice it. You begin to crave just about anything to avoid that mental stagnation. This is healthy and should be encouraged. You grow and learn by keeping your physical and intellectual self moving.
     Yes, those comfortable complacent habits feel so easy and natural, but they will not get you anywhere. Do what it takes to keep yourself stimulated and moving forward. If you are lucky, you have someone who is there to help encourage you along. They will poke and prod you to find challenges for yourself. Listen to them and build off of their energy. They will help you to realize your goals and keep moving towards them.

Rise to the challenge -- any ones that you can find.

Passion Requires Dedication

     Our world is amazing and diverse. There is so much to experience and so many adventures to to peak our curiosity. It is only normal to find yourself with many varied interests. However, it is even more satisfying when you discover that an interest has become a passion. Something is no longer a mere activity for entertainment value, but rather it has become a part of who you are. Our passions are so ingrained within ourselves -- we become identifiable by those passions. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to explore your passion and learn more about it. Even better when you can find others who share that passion. Human creativity and curiosity knows no bounds when let loose.
     But passion is not stable and will wither when it is stagnant. No, it needs continued work and dedication. Our passions can only continue to bear fruit when they are tended and fed. So, any passionate interest that you have requires diligent and focused work to be maintained. Curiosities need to be fed. Challenges need to be met. The long road must be followed and the many hours must be spent to make our passions lifelong and fulfilling vocations. I have true admiration for those people who spend the hours, ask the questions, and make the sacrifices to follow those passions and make them truly great. This is no easy thing. Our interests come and go -- we get tired and move on. True greatness in anything will require that dedication -- we just need to decide if we are ready and able.

Passion. Enthusiasm. Dedication. These make a great life's work.

Slow Down and Let It Be

     There are days that just don't go quite right. At least not according to your standards for the day. Call it "waking up on the wrong side of the bed" or just not having things go your way, it can be rough. Food doesn't settle right, words don't sound right, and you just struggle to interact with people. Try as hard as you can, things will not be the way that you want them to be. You can struggle and flail about to get things back on your ideal track, but you will rarely make progress that way. No, the white flag needs to be raised and you just need to laugh.
     So, when your favorite pastor doesn't say the words that inspire you, take it as it is and say your own words. When other drivers on the road are frustrating you, get off the road and go get breakfast. If your card gets declined, then just ask a close friend or loved one to spot you - make sure to ask with a smile or a kiss. If your health insurance suddenly gets cancelled in an unreasonable manner, just shop around and stay healthy in the meantime. When you get a call from your bank's fraud alert line and find out that your debit card has been compromised, just relax - take the necessary steps to correct it and think of the waiting time as a way to save money. When a movie just keeps getting interrupted by one thing or another, just enjoy the pleasant interruptions and watch when you can. When a romantic moment is ruined by a serious case of the burps and some scratchy facial hair, spend some time laughing about it and then call it a night.
     When you stop fighting and just let things be what they will be, a surprising satisfaction will settle upon you. Things work out in the ways that they were meant to and we are usually better off for it. So, embrace what comes your way and be ready for the ride.

Let your days be what they may and take time to enjoy a cup of tea in the meantime.

Soft Rain and Mountain Mists

     It seems that most people find those gray and rainy days to be rather depressing and dreary. I love them. The gray skies do not get me down. The low lying clouds feel cozy, like a soft blanket that sets in atop the mountain towns. The rain smells fresh and washes everything clean. The coolness is pleasant  when compared to the artificial heat that has been pumped into our spaces all winter long. The rainy days feel natural and cleansing.
As I sit and watch the waves of rain lightly spatter the streets, my eyes wonder up to the familiar mountains surrounding this valley. The clouds hug the peaks tightly and the light mist shrouds their tops. I am in awe as these mountains, which always tower over us in our little valley towns, now rise up and up into the vanishing nothingness.
     Rainy days bring me peace and awe. Everything is washed clean in this spring rain. In a way, so am I. The trees and plants get rinsed clean and then soak up as much as they can. Spring rain is a welcome alternative to the heavy, cold snows of winter. We all agree on that. The seasons are changing just in time to relieve us of our winter weariness. Now we, just like the trees and plants, may begin to reawaken and grow a little more. For me, I am able to focus a little better and take things as they come. My ambitions and inspirations are given new energy. I am ready for spring and I am eager to create and explore.

There is peace in these gentle showers and mountain mists. Seek it out.

Kidding Around A Little

     Today I let my inner kid have the day. A day to have fun and play. Breakfast of a frosted cinnamon rolls and playing a board game. Then I threw on a fun t-shirt featuring Shakespeare, a pair of funky jeans, and my green Converse sneakers. A day at the coffee shop reading whatever I wanted. Driving down the road with awesome music and sweet treats. Watching silly shows and making jokes. Playing foosball and just generally goofing around. Just enjoying the people in my life and having fun -- being silly just because I can!
     I have to say that it was quite the refreshing day. I felt more energetic all day long -- ready to do more and be very active. I also felt incredibly creative today. Everything around me, from music to the mountains, just inspired me and got my mind playing out possibilities. It is a wonderful feeling to be ready to try anything and get so much done. I had fun and was grateful for the day. The energy and inspiration fueled new ideas that will keep me going for quite a while. I think that we all just need that release some days. We need to feel young, curious, and energetic. Our minds get refreshed and we get some much needed exercise. We are able to take a step back from our lives and really see the full scope of all our responsibilities. Then, they don't seem so daunting and we often see the solutions clearly. The playing and goofing around actually helps you focus.

So, go get into a little trouble and have fun. ;-)

Fitting Just Right

     Often, my days end up feeling unsettled or just plain awkward. Usually this is due to encounters with people that just don't quite feel right. I will feel out of my element and rather uncomfortable. The day and everything about it just doesn't fit me right. They are not always bad days when this happens. They just leave me looking forward to the next day when I can rectify some situations and build up relationships. However, there are those rare gems of days that fit perfectly. Today was one of those days.

     I felt confident in where I was and who I was around -- from the people I worked with to the ones that just asked little questions. I just meshed well with those around and seemed to say just the right thing. These rare days instill me with such joy that I am able to rise above all my worries and cares and truly appreciate the world around me. The sunrise on the way to work greeted me warmly. The warm sunshine and cool breeze were a great balance as I worked. A pair of red-tailed hawks soared above me as I greeted guests and laughed with co-workers. The fresh spring air flowed into my open truck window. The smells and tastes of good food and drink lulled me into a relaxing evening.

     Handshakes and fist-bumps. High fives and pats on the back. Long stories and hugs. I felt like I belonged and that things were right. Amongst these towering peaks, I found a place to fit.

Surround yourself with the people and the places that make you feel like you fit.

Meeting Standards

     I am small mountain town Colorado all over. I prefer the laid back lifestyle. I love being active outside and relish in the easy-going appearance standards. Frankly the look of your skis, mountain bike, or kayak is more important than personal appearance. So, when I came face-to-face with a group of women from Beverly Hills, I was really thrown off. The standards of personal appearance are much higher for them and it shows. I am used to long camping trips where you never shower, not heaps of makeup and plastic surgery. It really is all in the self-imposed standards of beauty.
     We become so concerned with our personal appearance. The standards are there and we follow them nearly blindly. We work so hard to have the right clothes and to look just right. These standards can be dangerous, however. When they become a greater priority than our own personal health and safety, then there needs to be a serious paradigm shift. We work so hard to impress each other and have just the right appearance -- we are competing really. All that work for an unspoken feeling of success at someone else's expense. The superficial barriers and standards need to be avoided. Build yourselves up and find your own self confidence.

Carefully discern which standards are important to you and then feel confident in measuring up just fine.

Sunsets and Sunrises

     The day started with a rushed drive to work beneath an amazing sunrise. Brilliantly red fading to a bright orange. The robust color on my morning commute was refreshing and had me hopeful for the day. Ah, but I must remember the saying..."Red sky at morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight."
The day was long and tiring. Not hard, but most certainly slow. There are days when nothing of any particular importance will occur and you are left to entertain yourself. The day crawled by and the snail's pace got me home in a weary and tired state. At that point, it is best to relax and not take on new projects or make lofty goals.
     I did both however and was thoroughly discouraged. Nothing turns out quite as planned and at the very end of the day, it may feel as though nothing were accomplished. Yet, I did take a moment to gaze out my window and notice that the sunset was just as brilliant as the sunrise that morning. The reds and oranges were streaking across the sky -- the edges of the clouds gilded in silver. I remembered the saying again and had high hopes for the next day. This day had been completed. It may not have been my best day ever, but it was a day -- the sun rose and set. There is always another day to get something done or to make new goals.

Let each day begin and end. The day is a gift -- from sunrise to sunset.

Good Health - Good Focus

     Some days are just blurry. The events of the day run together and nothing seems stand out. It can feel like the simplest task will require all the energy and focus that you can muster. At the end of it all, you are amazed that you made it through the day and that anything got done. For me, this confusing state is usually the result of a lack of sleep or a neglect of my overall health. Sometimes I just want to keep going and not slow down for anything. There is too much to get done! I get to thinking that I can take on everything that might come my way. Alas, this sort of thinking will catch up with me quite quickly. The blurry days are a warning sign. Eventually, the exhaustion or sickness will really take hold and force you to focus and be careful with your health.

     So, I sleep when my body tells me and I take better care of myself. It is a simple thing and it will help me focus and get more out of my days.

So, take time to focus on your well being and you will be able to focus better elsewhere.

Racing Ahead Always Leaves Something Behind

     Nature has a wonderfully coy way of playing tricks on us. Yesterday was warm and sunny. The layers of snow were melting away and we all fostered dreams of summer fun. I even saw a few river rafts being hauled around and some summer wardrobes unveiled. We raced ahead and thought only of what was to come and the plans that could be made. How silly we look today. The winds blew and the snow did fly. Yes, it is still winter. Our dreams of warm weather days were shattered by the reality of having to actually finish this season.
     The lesson is important, but I am sure that I have relearned it several times already. You must finish what you have started before you may move on to the next thing. We often find ourselves living for the future and what we will one day be doing. The days can slip by without being noticed or valued. The present is where we live and what we must focus upon. There is still work to be done, people to meet and talk to, and time to be enjoyed. The constant planning and anticipating can leave you in a state of stress and regret. Treasure the present and be diligent to finish the work at hand.

Time will move you through the days at its own pace. We can do nothing to quicken it. So live out the moments and let tomorrow be.

Momentum Catches On

     The spring thaw has begun. The world begins to shrug its shoulders and throw off the winter snow. A large mound of snow falls from a pine branch. It hits the snow bank below and keeps moving. Slowly at first, but then quickening down the slope of the hillside. As it rolls, it picks up more snow and more speed. Larger and larger -- faster and faster. Now we have a huge ball of snow careening down the steep slope, seemingly out of control! And then...it lightly hits the back of the snow bank and breaks apart, revealing all the small parts that make the whole. For a moment, catastrophe seemed imminent. And while there was no real danger to cars driving on the highway at the bottom of the hill, you still grip your wheel a little tighter for that moment.

     It is incredible how so many things can "snowball" on us. I find that this is especially true when I am over critical of myself. I nitpick and point every failure, piling one on top of another. It quickly becomes overwhelming and discouraging. All those little failures and shortcomings will collect with your worry and stress into an out-of-control chaos. If you let it, this high-momentum wreck will mow you down and crush you.

     However, when you take away the momentum from this mess, it falls apart into its many pieces. The once daunting mass of failure and distress becomes just a scattering of harmless little mishaps. They are manageable and often forgettable. Their power was in the momentum. The accelerating movement can convey great power and meaning to the most random collection of events, thoughts, ideas, or feelings. You must be careful and only let the most positive and beneficial elements of life build up speed.

When things get rolling, just be aware of where they are headed and what is in control.

Connections - No Fooling Around

     It is so easy to slip through a day and not interact with a single person. Of course I mean actual interaction - a simple conversation in which the awkward social walls are knocked down. This can even be the case when working with or seeing the same people over and over. We tend to live in our own bubbles.
     But, why? People are designed to be social. We thrive off of interaction and community. It is refreshing, and beneficial, to break down those walls and actually have real conversations with each other. So, take time for each other and allow yourself to be open to new people and experiences.

Connect with people. It does wonders for your health.

A Balancing Act

     Watching someone balance on a tight rope, or even balance an object on their fingertips, leaves you in awe of their grace and effortless appearance. However, trade places and you realize how much effort and focus it requires. There are constant readjustments and near catastrophes. The key to balance is finding that equilibrium point.
     The same can be said for balance in so many parts of our lives. Yes, there are many responsibilities to balance and keep up with: work, family, friends, health, etc. Yet, there is more to it than just meeting obligations. We need recharge time to find mental and emotional balance -- constant readjustments. Sometimes we even need to just stop and really evaluate where we are in the balancing act. I find that communication and reflection do wonders for maintaining healthy balances in life. I can grab a solid hold on the details of life when I actually allow myself time to see the details. Relationships, careers, health...so much depends on a good balance. A little of this and a little of that. No one thing becoming too much of a priority. It takes some effort, for sure, but is most certainly worth it.

Pay attention to where that equilibrium point is and readjust if you need.

Never Underestimate Your Usefulness

     We are creatures of habit and fall into routines quite easily. Living within routine, I think that there is a point at which you feel not useful anymore. The job or the activities become the same old motions that don't seem to progress or maybe even matter. When this "staleness" settles in, it is good to step back and take a moment to fully recognize your own importance and value. Try to see the actual results of your work and take time to appreciate any gratitude that is given to you. Most likely you are more appreciated than you think -- I find that this is the case often for me.
     It also helps to realize that there are other areas in which you may prove very useful. We all have various talents and interests  -- pursue them! You may surprise a coworker or friend that you have more to offer. My current job is pretty routine, but I found that I was able to offer tax advice and computer support to a coworker. He was surprised, yes, but also very appreciative. I just had to share a little and be open to opportunities.

Don't let routine bog you down. Find refreshing ways to apply yourself.

Money Talks, But So Do People

     Money makes the world go round. It does certainly seem that way. I mean, I only have a few bills a month and I still feel like just the middle man passing money from one hand to another. First there are the necessities to fulfill and then the wants to acquire. Yet, in our society, a common desire is just for money alone. Yes, the money comes with a monetary value to be traded for goods and services - but there is so much more. With more money there is more power -- at least perceived power. Our society caters to those with large bank accounts and grants them that greater influence in various spheres.

     I fear that all that accompanies money contributes to large egos and false senses of entitlement. The arguments of "do you know how much I make in a year?" or "I pay good money for this?" are apparently intended to open all doors. This entitlement also contributes to a general mean arrogance -- thinking that you may treat people anyway that you wish.

     Here is an interesting comparison that I heard years ago. "Think of words to describe friendship." The answers included several very economic terms, including "value". When we are asked to think about what we truly find valuable, it is more often the people in our lives than the money that we have. The government and society may give great value to currency, but we do not have to follow suit. We should be more discerning about where we place value.

Think about where you place value and be sure that those things affect you in beneficial ways.

25 Years and Just Beginning

     Today I celebrate 25 years of existence. I find this fairly impressive. A quarter of a century is fairly daunting actually. Yet, to look at my life, I realize that I am just beginning in many ways. Life goals and plans are just taking form. My professional career needs time and work, for sure. Love and relationships are always growing. It is an exciting, but also nervous, time in life.
     Mostly, I am looking back at how far I have come and how much has changed. I wouldn't be where I am without all those people in my life who supported and encouraged -- loved and believed. So, a bit of gratitude to all of those ones in my life who have helped me along my path.

Take time to savor your day and truly appreciate those important people.