ariemdreams

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.”  Daniel Burnham

The greatest modern day alchemists have to be comedic geniuses. The greatest comedians come from some of the greatest pain and turmoil. To be able to take some of the deepest physical, verbal and mental pain and then not only share it publicly but make you laugh and work through your pain is a true feat of greatness.

Breathe.

Breathing can transform your life.

If you feel stressed out and overwhelmed, breathe. It will calm you and release the tensions.

If you are worried about something coming up, or caught up in something that already happened, breathe. It will bring you back to the present.

If you are discouraged and have forgotten your purpose in life, breathe. It will remind you about how precious life is, and that each breath in this life is a gift you need to appreciate. Make the most of this gift.

If you have too many tasks to do, or are scattered during your workday, breathe. It will help bring you into focus, to concentrate on the most important task you need to be focusing on right now.

If you are spending time with someone you love, breathe. It will allow you to be present with that person, rather than thinking about work or other things you need to do.

If you are exercising, breathe. It will help you enjoy the exercise, and therefore stick with it for longer.

If you are moving too fast, breathe. It will remind you to slow down, and enjoy life more.

So breathe.

And enjoy each moment of this life.

They’re too fleeting and few to waste.

This post is taken from Leo of Zen Habits. (Zenhabits.net)

I heard today on NPR that in work, we all seek to have a positive influence on someone’s life. no matter what we’re destined to do, like to do or have to do, we all share a need to see the “fruits of our labors”. Whether in the service industry, tech, education or manufacturing, seeing the “product” used is what we all seek on some level.

Deep down we want to know our “customer” is happy with what we did. As for me, I’ve struggled with getting better jobs as I get pushed further away from my “customer”. I truly thrive in the satisfaction of seeing the impact of my work on someone. It’s pushed me into training and public speaking. Both instantly provide me with the feedback of my efforts. It’s a great feeling.

In following my passion, I find that my path must involve people and the personal interaction and sharing of what I have to give.

Years ago, I thought I wanted my own studio to be the boss and have my name on the door. I’ve just realized that I wanted a studio not to be the boss but to have the power to influence people and share what I have to give. This is also the reason I push to create a non-profit tech/art/education entity to fulfill me and ensure that I never “work” again.

this is me wiping out! at 1:40 in the video. enjoy.BYOBW 2009 wipe out!!

Ken Starr and others are validating Prop 8 due to “the majority should not be overturned” and citing that “we shouldn’t overturn the ‘traditional’ definition of marriage in California because it’s been that way for over 150 years”.

Because many agree, a few can suffer??

So, why is this okay? Many agreed women shouldn’t vote. Many agreed slavery was a good thing. Many agreed “colored” drinking fountains were okay. Many agreed that this should be a white christian nation with a white christian president.

Siding with the majority is a way of not looking at the morality. It’s a way of not seeing others as human.

Regardless of your religious, ethic, economical, racial, gender or cultural background or status - moral is moral and just is just. The famous ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ states,

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,”

In determining if a law is just the letter further states,

“How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law [or the law of God] (we can discuss God later). An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts the human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”

The law is controversial, yes. The law is civil and religious.

The question is …. is it just?

I have a wife who is always right. ALL-ways right!!!

I have a wife that is years ahead of me grammatically and academically.

I have a wife who runs rings around me when it comes to awareness (hers and mine - don’t tell her I said so).

I have a wife who can simultaneously “discuss” what I did … why I did it … why I would have done it differently if she was there … why she says I’m acting like my father … why I get it from my mother … why it’s draining to keep going through this with me … why we never get anywhere and why I didn’t say sorry 15 minutes ago!!!! All before I can remember what I did. My head spins and I need to sit down. She hates when she does that and I have a blank look on my face when she’s done. I can’t help it, sometimes I’m dazed. It’s kinda like sparring with someone who jabs your face 5 times before you even think of raising your glove.

Marcy is one the most powerful forces in my life. She is a force that helps me be me. She helped me get to where I am. And in all of that, she drives me crazy.

How can she do all that? How can she be all that? Is it me? It’s like I married Wonder Woman and I’m the guy in the mailroom. It drives me crazy!!

1. my first memory is standing in a crib in “feetie” pajamas as my mother cried in the next room.

2. my father thought I was gay in high school because I wouldn’t dog girls.

3. i wanted to live with the Mocko family in middle school because they didn’t move every year, always had food, had Intellivision and popcorn afterschool.

4. i continue to befriend progressive christians

5. i find myself surrounded by pastors in my family and friend circles.

6. i’m a heathen

7. i have a REAL bad sense of humor that I can only share with Marcy and like 2 or 3 friends

8. i truly love my wife with all my heart

9. i need to speak up more

10. i think being a father of girls has made more of a man than anything could ever have

11. i am grateful to have so many ‘like-hearts’ in my life; just wanna enjoy and do good

12. i am a musician who can’t play an instrument or read music

13. i have no degrees and lots of skills

14. i love sitting and watching my daughters

15. i love sitting and watching Marcy (when she lets me)

16. when i was little i didn’t know i was black

17. when i was little i didn’t know we were broke

18. Marcy bought a slow cooker, made a beef stew with potatoes, onions and carrots and I was immediately 7 years old sitting at my grandmothers dining room table swining my feet. so good.

19. I’m simple

20. I love doing nothing

21. I’d love to do everything

22. I love you all

23. i think my grandfather is proud of me

24. i tear up when i think of my grandfather

25. I am married, black, working in a high tech job with no degree and still can’t fly.

How important is touch? Must we have contact? Is it a necessity? If all of these questions point to the basic core of who we are then how much? A little touch every now and then? Constant contact? Or some balance in between? Like everything else - it’s different for everyone.
Touch is no different from the taste of milk to the smell of skunk I’m that it’s a constant that everyone perceives differently. A reassuring touch to one is agony to another. What brings one warm, comforting thoughts brings another waves of terror.
So do we all need it? No. But most of us do. Contact IS a very basic need, but not to the level of food, water and air.
So, what is contact to most people? Basically, communication. And possibly the truest form of communication. Yes we can comunicate with our eyes. Yes, we can communicate verbally. But touch, even though it may not seem to be as advanced as verbal communication, can be as subtle as a slight breeze under an untucked shirt or as advanced as giving military operation commands.
Touch tells the infant food is near.
Touch tells the child that it is safe.
Touch tells the brother he has a friend.
Touch tells the wife she’s alone.
Touch tells the grandson that lying is not good but he’s loved.
Touch tells me I need to study my typing.
Touch tells me you are comfortable around me.
Touch tells me you like talking with me.
Touch tells me you have no prejudices.
Touch tells me I’m in your way.
Touch tells me you don’t know how to say it.
Touch tells me I said it wrong.
Touch tells me you’re near.
Touch tells me you don’t want to interrupt but, “bye”
Touch tells me it’s good to see you.
Touch says “it’s good you’re home”
Touch says I’m sorry!
Touch says I like you.
Touch is love.