Monday, August 30, 2010

Crossing the Streams

Life brings challenges. From standing up and walking to the last time you lie down. And as we capture each experience we define ourselves - the good, the bad and the ugly. We're typically not too worried about the good. Today's topic is how we deal with the bad and the ugly.

We have an innate ability to neatly store away all kinds of unsavory events, behaviors and shortcomings while we walk around like a Disney Character on Ice. How do we do that? Simply said, "when the light is green, the trap is clean." But store up too many and Lenny - when the grid shuts down, you're looking at a catastrophe of Biblical proportion.

If faced with life's problems that seem particularly difficult, it is not weakness to suggest crossing the streams. Ask for help. Sometimes one unlicensed nuclear particle accelerator is just not enough.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Opulence, I has It

This has got to be one of my favorite commercials of all time. I don't know what I like more, the opening line, (see title), "I jump in It" or the miniature giraffe. Nuff said.

Clearly the man is able to make choices.  My father always said he worked to provide us with choice. To me this remains as one of the most altruistic and succint statements regarding work, family and purpose. Oddly enough it is an old german saying that "where there is choice, there is torment". An enlightened statement to be sure, but it was Edgar Guest who said:

"You are the person who has to decide. Whether you'll do it or toss it aside;
you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you'll lead or will linger behind. Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar. Or just be contented to stay where you are."

Perhaps the saying should be:
"Mit der Wahl, kommt Qual. Ohne Verantwortung, mehr". 
Reduce your torment. Seek not the miniature giraffe.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Through the Looking Glass

Think about how you see the world and yourself the next time you look in the mirror. Everything appears in perfect clarity. Yet there are probably lots of things in the world that seem totally bizarre to you - they might include things like war, poverty, or why the Kardashians merit their own TV show.

In a way the reflection of the world as you see it is like your special Fun House Mirror. There you are, perfectly normal in the middle of it, with the world as you see it pretty jacked up in places. Of course, in your mirror you are perfectly normal.

Sometimes we are lucky enough to have moments of clarity, where the distortions of the Fun House Mirror are removed. That doesn't mean everything aligns with your particular viewpoint, but perhaps you are able to see things as they really are. Including yourself. But even when we are living with right mind, and with right purpose, distortions can creep back in.

Keep an open mind. Beware of distortions. And beer goggles.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Pass the Dilithium

When Scotty offers the strained appeal "She's breaking up Captain!", it usually followed the urgent report "I'm giving her all she's got!"

In Blade Runner, the replicant Roy yearns to discover his pre-programmed termination date, and to see if it can be extended. He eventually corners his creator who tells him "The candle that burns twice as brightly burns half as long. And you Roy, have burned so very, very brightly." After informing him that the date cannot be altered or revealed, Roy crushes his skull in his hand. Nice.

When you're out of the blue, and into the black, the sage Neil Young opines: "It's better to burn out...than to fade away" (or to rust for that matter).

And even Weird Al Yankovic said "I'll have plenty of time to be laid back when I'm six feet underground."

Rust never sleeps, but I go to bed at 10 now. Usually. Hey hey, my, my.